What's the reason for the clicking sound when turning the key but the car won't start?
2 Answers
The reasons for the clicking sound when turning the key but the car won't start: 1. The clicking sound is the working sound of the relay or the starter, indicating that the starter has responded but cannot drive the flywheel to rotate, resulting in failure to start the car; 2. It could be due to insufficient battery power, such as forgetting to turn off the headlights when parking or connecting too many external devices, which can drain the battery; 3. Insufficient voltage can also cause the car to make a clicking sound and fail to start. The reason for insufficient voltage may be that the battery is too old, leading to aging and reduced stored power, or listening to music or turning on the air conditioning when the car is not started.
I've been driving for over a decade and have seen this situation many times. When you turn the key and hear a clicking sound but the engine won't start, the most common cause is insufficient battery power. The clicking sound comes from the starter relay repeatedly engaging because the battery can't power the starter motor. First check if the dashboard lights come on - if they're dim or unresponsive, it's likely a battery issue. Try jump-starting the car with jumper cables from a friend's vehicle. If it starts, your battery needs charging or replacement. Sometimes loose or corroded battery terminal connections can be fixed by tightening them. Other causes like starter motor wear or wiring shorts are less common. Don't panic when this happens, and avoid repeated attempts to prevent damaging components. Remember to always turn off lights after parking, especially in winter when batteries are more prone to failure.
