[iloveanycar]

Hey everyone, I’m having a frustrating issue with my Toyota Corolla, and I’m hoping someone here can help me out. Whenever I try to start the car, all I get is this annoying clicking noise, and the engine won’t turn over at all. I thought it might be the battery at first, so I checked that—battery’s fine, no corrosion on the terminals, and all the lights and electronics are working as they should.

I’ve read that a clicking noise can sometimes mean the starter’s going bad, but I’m not sure if it could be something else, like a bad relay or maybe even the alternator? Has anyone else run into this problem?

If it’s the starter, how did you go about fixing it? Is it something I could DIY, or should I bite the bullet and take it to a mechanic? And if it’s not the starter, what else could it be? I’m hoping it’s not anything too major. I’m open to any tips or advice you all might have. Thanks!

[Nicko]

Hey everyone, I’m having a frustrating issue with my Toyota Corolla, and I’m hoping someone here can help me out. Whenever I try to start the car, all I get is this annoying clicking noise, and the engine won’t turn over at all. I thought it might be the battery at first, so I checked that—battery’s fine, no corrosion on the terminals, and all the lights and electronics are working as they should.

I’ve read that a clicking noise can sometimes mean the starter’s going bad, but I’m not sure if it could be something else, like a bad relay or maybe even the alternator? Has anyone else run into this problem?

If it’s the starter, how did you go about fixing it? Is it something I could DIY, or should I bite the bullet and take it to a mechanic? And if it’s not the starter, what else could it be? I’m hoping it’s not anything too major. I’m open to any tips or advice you all might have. Thanks!

Ahh, the dreaded “click-click-click” sound—been there, man, and it’s never fun!  But hey, at least your lights and electronics are working, so that rules out a totally dead battery. Sounds like you’re on the right track suspecting the starter, but let me break it down for you and toss in a few other ideas.

First off, yeah, that clicking noise is often a sign the starter is on its way out. The solenoid is probably trying to do its job, but if the starter motor itself is shot, it can’t crank the engine. Happened to me a while back with my old Camry, and I was like, “C’mon, just start already!”

Before you throw parts at it, though, make sure to check a couple more things:

1. Battery connections: I know you said the battery’s fine and no corrosion, but double-check that the terminals are super tight. Sometimes it’s not the corrosion but a loose connection that causes the starter to get just enough juice to click but not enough to spin.

2. Ground wires and fuses: It could be a grounding issue or even a blown fuse. Pop open your fuse box and check for any bad ones. You might also want to check the starter relay (they’re cheap to replace, so if it’s bad, that’s an easy fix).

If it is the starter, you can totally DIY it if you’re comfortable working under the car. The starter on a Corolla isn’t too buried, so you’ll need some basic tools, a jack, and stands. It’s basically just a matter of unbolting the old one and swapping in the new one. Just be sure to disconnect the battery first (trust me, you don’t want sparks flying). If you’ve got a couple hours and some patience, you can save some $$$ by doing it yourself.

But if you’re not super confident with wrenches, no shame in taking it to a mechanic, especially if the thought of getting under the car makes you queasy. It’s usually not a bank-breaking job if you go to an independent shop.

If it turns out not to be the starter, next thing I’d look at is the ignition switch or even the alternator, though the alternator would usually show signs while the car’s running (like flickering lights or charging issues). If you haven’t been seeing any of that, you’re probably in the clear there.

Good luck, man! Let us know what the verdict is. And if you end up DIY-ing the starter, just make sure you’ve got a good playlist—it’ll make the job way more fun