Rapid clicking noise when I turn the key...

[mike6789]

Whenever I try to start the car, I can only hear rapid clicking noises (electrical, probably the relays) and no engine activity what-so-ever!

What is the problem here? Battery seems fine... maybe not though... what should I check for?

Thanks alot!

Mike

[tracyf]

I would check electrical connections, fuses/relays/such, starter for current getting to it, and maybe take starter off and have someplace like AutoZone check it. Oh, and naturally the battery - possibly charge it fully before trying again.

God bless

[mike6789]

how do I replace the starter? any guides?

[Zandro]

That depends on what engine you got, witch by the way you have forgotten to mention.

[Eye8Pussies]

regardless....get a haynes manual..it'll be the best money you can spend.

changing a starter is a 10 minute job

[tracyf]

Ditto what Eye8 said.

If you feel like you want more info than Haynes manual has, www.techinfo.toyota.com is great.

Good luck and God bless

[ASG14]

My friends Tahoe JUST had this same thing last week.....Battery took a dump and was DEAD. TRY to jumpstart first, and IF it starts, battery is bad.

[ripley's99]

don't overlook the simplest solution...always check your battery first

[BigChrisP]

agreed with others.. check battery, then starter..... btw, had anyone signed up wit TIS(www.techinfo.toyota.com)?... $10 a day???is it worth it?

[BlackCamSe]

Maby your starter contacts. Get one of your friends to atempt to start the car wile you tap the starter with a large wrench. If that works then you need new starter contacts.

[mike6789]

i tested battery with DMM under ignition load, it drops to 5.3 volts, i think it is the battery, lol

[ASG14]

Originally Posted by mike6789

i tested battery with DMM under ignition load, it drops to 5.3 volts, i think it is the battery, lol

And yet the car won't start?




Let us know how it turns out.

[Mike Gerber]

1 Click and then nothing happens usually means the starter's contacts inside the solenoid are bad. Multiple rapid clicks usually means a discharged battery or corroded battery cable/terminal connections.

Visually check the terminals for corrosion. Then use the DVM to check the car's battery with the engine off. Set the DVM to 20 volts DC and touch the 2 probes to the battery terminals. It should be 12 volts or slightly higher if the battery is properly charged. Now start the car. Jump start it with another car if you have to. Then use the DVM to check the alternator's output, just like you checked the battery. It should read above 14 volts, if the charging system is working properly. If it is below that figure, you either have a loose alternator belt or a defective alternator.

Mike

[tracyf]

Originally Posted by BigChrisP

agreed with others.. check battery, then starter..... btw, had anyone signed up wit TIS(www.techinfo.toyota.com)?... $10 a day???is it worth it?

I signed up with them for a day. You actually can get much more than 24 hours though, as your subscription runs out at midnight on the next day - for instance you join at 10am on Monday - your subscription would run out at 12 midnight on Tuesday - giving you 38 hours. I downloaded everything pertinent to my particular car and put 'em on a flash drive so that I now have a complete Toyota service manual for my car. I can print out the sheets I need - take 'em out where I am working - get 'em greasy - write on 'em - etc - then throw them away when through. I thought the site was the bomb but be advised - there is a LOT of info on there so it is easy to get overwhelmed with the multiple files for everything and I mean EVERYTHING (found I had downloaded some duplicate stuff on several things).

Take care and God bless

[mike6789]

UfoZ, yea lol ive already figured that out, cant I just slowly recharge it? its not an old battery at all