Car Engine Won’t Turn Over, Clicking Noise

Introduction

If your car engine won’t turn over and you hear a clicking noise, it’s likely that your battery is dead or your starter is malfunctioning. In this article, we will discuss the causes of these problems and how to fix them.

Causes of a Dead Battery

• Leaving the lights on: If you leave your car lights on for an extended period of time, it can drain the battery.
• Old battery: Batteries typically last for 3-5 years. If your battery is older than this, it may be time to replace it.
• Extreme temperatures: Cold weather can make it difficult for batteries to hold a charge. Hot weather can also damage batteries.

Causes of a Malfunctioning Starter

• Worn-out brushes: The brushes are responsible for conducting electricity from the battery to the starter motor. Over time, the brushes can wear out and make it difficult for the starter to turn over the engine.
• Damaged solenoid: The solenoid is responsible for engaging the starter motor with the flywheel. If the solenoid is damaged, it may not be able to engage the starter motor and turn over the engine.
• Loose or corroded connections: The starter motor is connected to the battery and the engine by a series of cables. If these cables are loose or corroded, it can prevent the starter from getting the power it needs to turn over the engine.

How to Fix a Dead Battery

If you think your battery is dead, you can try to jump-start it. To do this, you will need jumper cables and another car with a good battery. Follow these steps:

1. Park the two cars close together.
2. Connect the positive terminal of the good battery to the positive terminal of the dead battery.
3. Connect the negative terminal of the good battery to a metal surface on the frame of the car with the dead battery.
4. Start the car with the good battery.
5. Let the car run for a few minutes to charge the dead battery.
6. Disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse order of how you connected them.

If you are able to jump-start your car, it is important to have the battery tested as soon as possible to determine if it needs to be replaced.

How to Fix a Malfunctioning Starter

If you think your starter is malfunctioning, you can try to fix it yourself. However, it is important to note that starter problems can be dangerous, so if you are not comfortable working on your own car, it is best to take it to a mechanic.

To fix a starter, you will need to remove it from the engine. Once the starter is removed, you can inspect it for damage. If the brushes are worn out, you will need to replace them. If the solenoid is damaged, you will need to replace the starter.

Once you have fixed the starter, you can reinstall it in the engine. Be sure to tighten all of the bolts and nuts securely.

Conclusion

If your car engine won’t turn over and you hear a clicking noise, it’s likely that your battery is dead or your starter is malfunctioning. By following the steps in this article, you can try to fix the problem yourself. However, if you are not comfortable working on your own car, it is best to take it to a mechanic.