Engine clicking on startup

[shadowglory]

Before I go into the details, I have seen other posts about this subject, but none that really address the issue.

When I go to start up, sometimes I can hear a clicking sound. I would say that this is battery related, except that if I try it two to three times it will start up just fine. The click sound only occurs once every time I try to start, unlike when a battery is dead it clicks over and over. Starter speed is normal, no lights flash on and off (just dim slightly with a normal startup). This condition has not left me on the side of the road, but I feel that it could later on.

My question is, does the starter relay make this much noise when it is going out? Obviously whatever it is that is making the clicking sound works eventually, so it is not broken beyond use. I am unable to verify where the sound is coming from, though it does seem like it is from the starter. Right now it is just an inconveinence, but I like preventative maintenance before breakdowns, so this is why I wanted to start a new post. I would just change out the relay, but at $45 I was wondering how likely it is that the relay is the culprit. The starter was replaced in late of 2004 due to oil and there is some, but little oil on the current starter. I have tried hooking up jumper cables to another vehicle and the click still occurs with the same volume and frequency, so I really do not think it is a battery issue. Any ideas?

Also, if it is the starter, has anyone replaced the starter on their own? It looks dang near impossible to get to unless I take a significant portion of the exhaust. If anyone has had this done with a dealer or repair shop, how much did you pay?

[buggzyy]

It sounds like your battery cables have corrosion built up between the terminal and the battery post. Try cleaning the battery post and terminal ends. see if that helps. also if you jiggle the ignition while holding it in the start position will it start up. it may be a failing ignition switch.

[shadowglory]

I cleaned my battery posts and cables recently. I'm leaning towards to ignition switch now, thanks for the advice. Regardless if it is the culprit, it is probably easier to just replace it than to deal with the starter just yet, probably cheaper too. Thanks a bunch.

[burkwood]

Check if the cranking amps are what is required. I had this problem and it was the wrong size battery that causes the relay to chatter the first few times you try to start it.

[OnSafari]

It's probably the battery. I've had this happen on every Mitsubishi I own. It's the only warning you get that the battery is dying. These things eat batteries. When a battery is on its last leg you will go from being able to start your car just fine to dead as hell from one day to the next. It's not like the old days when the starter would turn slower and it would just take longer to fire it up. The last time I had this clicking sound I took the car in to have the battery tested and it tested fine. Two days later it was dead. Totally dead. Seems to happen most often when there is a major change in the climate, like the first warm day of spring, or the first real hot day of summer.

Anyway, I got sick of it so I started using Optima batteries. That doesn't eliminate the problem, but it allows you to go longer before it happens. I used to get two or so years out of a regular battery. Now I get about 4. But the Sport will even kill an Optima after enough time.

[dclambertt]

I'm dealing with this very same issue. All connections are spotless, brand new battery with similar Optima technology, and still won't crank over, just a very audible, single click. All that's left to check is the starter.

[ES_97Sport]

Mar 2, 2011 21:33:58 GMT -5 shadowglory said:

... When I go to start up, sometimes I can hear a clicking sound. I would say that this is battery related, except that if I try it two to three times it will start up just fine. ....

In case no one mentioned this and fiddling with the battery posts/terminals doesn't work - Check the negative battery cable.

The cable runs down to the driver side fender between the fender skirt and battery and from there goes to the frame below the steering shaft (not the steering column - the steering intermediate shaft), and then from there attaches to the engine block on the lower driver side behind the A/C pump.

Make sure not only that the terminal/post are clean but that the three attachments AFTER that are also clean and tight. That's the ground for your entire vehicle - body, chassis and engine. Check the flag connections at the fender well as well as the frame. Those are just crimps and after years on the road there's a lot of corrosion build up. I'm in CO and de-icer plays hell with electrical and those aren't the best design for that kind of environment.

Lot of people only check the positive when there's a no-start, but if you have inadequate ground it'll cause what you're talking about.

Edward

[dclambertt]

Mar 2, 2011 21:33:58 GMT -5 shadowglory said:

When I go to start up, sometimes I can hear a clicking sound. I would say that this is battery related, except that if I try it two to three times it will start up just fine. The click sound only occurs once every time I try to start, unlike when a battery is dead it clicks over and over. Starter speed is normal, no lights flash on and off (just dim slightly with a normal startup). This condition has not left me on the side of the road, but I feel that it could later on.

This is precisely what I was dealing with, and after checking and cleaning all points of contact, using a jumper cable to ground the engine to the battery, and checking both battery cables, I finally pulled my starter out and replaced it.  That was my culprit.  My starter began malfunctioning a while ago and it got to the point where I never knew if it was going to start for me.  Once I pulled the starter I checked its functions and found that the pinion would pop out (single click), and the motor would spin, but they wouldn't work at the same time.