Why does my car make a clicking noise and not start?
A clicking noise when trying to start the car prevents the engine from turning over, often forcing drivers to try repeatedly for up to half an hour before it finally works. Even after a replacement, a starter can sometimes produce a squeaking sound as the car starts up.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- The most recent one is from October 2026.
- It is not one crowd: 4 people on Reddit and 1 on Stack Exchange ran into the same thing.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1trying repeatedly until it worksDid this help you?
- 2connecting the blade connector directly to the batteryDid this help you?
- 3cleaning and greasing battery and solenoid contactsDid this help you?
- 4Giving the car gas to help it start quickerDid this help you?
- 5Checking battery voltage and cranking ampsDid this help you?
- 6Jump start the car using jumper cablesDid this help you?
- 7Uber home and return later with equipmentDid this help you?
- 8Take the car to AutoZone or an auto parts store for a free battery and alternator checkDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Startup grinding noise, has started every time but now it can sometimes take multiple tries.”source ↗
“Finally replaced the starter today and it is squeaking as it starts. Is this an issue?”source ↗
“New AGM battery unfortunately with good voltage”source ↗
“its your starter grinding on the fly wheel. replace the starter.”source ↗
“That’s what I thought at first but when I give it gas it’s much quicker to start. Do you think it could be fuel related?”source ↗
“This is a 2020 Corolla with about 34k miles. I'm fairly confident these are symptoms of a dead battery, but just wanted to post here for some peace of mind.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 28Why does my car run terribly and stutter after a long drive?
- 7Car makes whirring noise that stops when I press the clutch
- 73Why does my car make a loud rattle when starting the engine?
- 2Car squeaks and shudders when stopped at a light
- 18Why is my steering wheel making noise when turning?
- 6Why does the gas pump keep clicking off when my tank isn't full?