Clicking but no start!

[gonzoflick]

OK so trying to figure out my idle problem last night i decided to take of the negative from the battery and let it sit overnight to reset the computer. Well I go out to my car this morning and it wont start. Just hear clicking when i turn the key. I think the battery is dead. I take to autozone and get a full charge/test. Still clicking.

what could I have done by removing the negative terminal overnight that would causethis? Could it be a bad starter? Please any advice is helpful since my car wont even start now.

thanks

[hockeyman]

Re: Clicking but no start!

Maybe a bad cell within the battery. Try a different one. I had a bad cell in a battery once and I charged it all night, came out the next morning and got clicking like you've described. Once I changed batteries, the problem was gone.
A bad starter could also be the problem too. You should remove it and take it to autozone for testing.

[smithtim]

Re: Clicking but no start!

does it sound like the starter trying to turn the enginge but not doing so ( i.e. more of a metal sound).. if so most likely a bad battery not getting enough flow to the starter... try jumping it or try another battery beofore going to the starter

[landj]

Re: Clicking but no start!

Try cleaning the terminals really well with baking soda and a wire brush. Make sure everything is snug, but don't strip it. I've tested the starting system in the past only to realize that it's a loose battery terminal.

[gonzoflick]

Re: Clicking but no start!

OK how can taking the negative terminal off drain the battery?? thats what I want to know. Also the clicking is not metallic its more like a dead battery clicking on our cars (96 3.8 manual).

I've heard the starter is on top of our tranny and is very hard to replace. Any more suggestions?

[Evil Red Demon]

Re: Clicking but no start!

Sounds exactly like what happened to me yesterday! It is a dead battery for sure, I bought a new one, put it in, and boom, started right up again.

[BLLDOGG]

Re: Clicking but no start!

taking the terminal off itself does not cause battery drain. starters are not on top of the tranny and are easy to access

[CDNFB]

Re: Clicking but no start!

I've heard the starter is on top of our tranny and is very hard to replace.

Naw, starter's in the normal place. Drivers side, down by the oil pan, and it's replacement is easy.

If you suspect your battery, check it's voltage. Should be in the high 12s to low 13s.

If battery is good then I kinda suspect the Vehicle Anti-Theft System (VATS). Maybe keeping the power off the system that long has killed the memory in the body control module (BCM) and it needs to be re-flashed?

[BLLDOGG]

Re: Clicking but no start!

VATS does not let the starter click. it allows for nothing to happen

[gonzoflick]

Re: Clicking but no start!

OK so any thoughts as to why my battery died in the first place?

[HokieBird]

Re: Clicking but no start!

Cold weather killed it? I don't know where you are from.

[CDNFB]

Re: Clicking but no start!

So your battery is dead?

[gonzoflick]

Re: Clicking but no start!

I live in orlando, FLorida. It was not cold last night and we are talking overnight here. Could loose terminal connections cause clicking?? The battery tested fine at AZ.

[Dawizman]

Re: Clicking but no start!

It was just its time to die. When the battery in my car died on me I had parked out front of a friends house, came back out an hour later and all I got was a click. We tried boosting it and that didnt work. Dropped a new Optima Red Top in and it starts fine every time now.

[HokieBird]

Re: Clicking but no start!

I live in orlando, FLorida. It was not cold last night and we are talking overnight here. Could loose terminal connections cause clicking?? The battery tested fine at AZ.

Yes a loose connection could cause your problem.