So i just change my alternator because it wouldn’t start. As well as a new battery before that. Now i have power but it’s just a single click but won’t crank. Im thinking it’s the starter but i really hope not. Any help would be amazing thank you!

 

Stop shotgunning parts and do some actual diagnosis. We can't help you until you help yourself.

 

Im asking for opinions dawg, no codes are are popping up for it. So what am i supposed to do, i told ya’ll the symptoms. Don’t know the point of you wasting time out of your day with no constructive criticism. Thanks

 

Until you do actual diagnosis you are the only one wasting of time. Asking for help isn't going to do anything until you actually look for a cause and try to help yourself.

the fact that you changed your alternator because it wouldn't start shows you did no research or diagnosis. Again, we can't help you until you help yourself.

 

okay i should’ve clarified. I knew my alternator was bad because of it not holding the charge. And right before it went out, my dashboard lights and headlights were blinking. It had a new battery put in before hand and it was starting up fine prior. That’s why i’m confused on what i should do next now. I’ve got a lot of people in my ear about a million things that could be wrong and am now looking for more reliable people. So again any help would be great

 

If you've got a full charge and a new battery, and you're hearing the starter click, odds are good the starter is your problem. At only 40k miles, I started having problems starting the car, and I was sure was an aging battery. It wasn't. It was the starter. I went with a reman unit to save some bucks. It could also be a corroded power connection to your starter, I've seen that discussed here too.

OP, thank you for keeping a clear head here, and GL finding a solution. Welcome to the forum.

stealthee... you're not wrong, but chill out please. This is the Newbie Corner after all. Capeesh?

 

thank you for the CONSTRUCTIVE material you gave me. Ima start looking into more of the power connection. I really appreciate it.

 

I was very chill. I am just trying to possibly save the guy money. The starter is still just a guess at this point. If he goes and buys one and the car still doesn't start its more wasted money. It could be something as simple as a loose connection since both the battery and alternator were changed. If he actually takes a few minutes to do some basic diagnostics he might find something simple that can be fixed for free, or near free. That's all I was trying to get across.

 

i work 11 hours 6 days a week i have little to no time to go and check every little thing on the car. I just needed a base point to start looking, so when i do have the time i can go and check the specific areas and give myself a decent diagnostic. But no use kicking a dead horse appreciate it gentleman.

 

Can you determine what is clicking? Is the sound interior or exterior? When the click "occurs" does the gauge cluster dim? You mentioned the battery wouldn't hold a charge which lead to replacement which also failed leading to alternator replacement. Do you have anything aftermarket installed that could be contributing to a parasitic drain on the electrics?

Also, what year is your car? Coupe, sedan, 'vert? Is it auto trans or manual gearbox? Do you live in a northern or Southern climate?

A bad starter, or dirty/corroded wiring connections at the starter, are the likely suspects. But, there are numerous relays, fuses, and switches that could be contributory. For example, you could have a bad brake pedal switch, (and/or clutch position switch, if applicable) which is somewhat common.

While I understand your demanding work schedule (we all have our own demands- especially during these chaotic times) it is almost always the little things that cause the biggest problems. Given that everything in this car is inter-connected, all those little bits have to be checked.

 

^^^ Nice. Leave it to this guy to always be helpful.

 

It’s an 08 coupe sport, with a 6mt. The clicking is definitely exterior, my cluster is doesn’t dim or anything which is why i was thinking it was the starter or a wire. Just wanted to double check with people who have more experience. I have a video that i tried uploading here to show you guys exactly what it sounds like, but it doesn’t work. But I'm in Florida so i know how corroding the air is here. I push the clutch in, press the start button and nothing but a click in the engine bay. Then when I let the clutch go i hear a separate click. So i gotta start digging in there when i have the day off. Thank you so much for the response and being patient. I appreciate you!

 

You know, there's another "start, won't start" situation with the 6MT that's due to the Clutch Pedal position sensor failing intermittently. It's a little $20 plunger switch attached to your clutch pedal that tells the ECU your clutch pedal is depressed and it's OK to kick off the starter. But since you're hearing a clicking noise, that's probably not it. Still... it's good info for 6MT owners to be aware of.

Mine failed slowly over the course of half a year or more. Drove me freaking nuts.

 

If you have a buddy, have them try starting the car while you listen under the hood for the source of the "click" (or vice versa). Try to narrow down if the click originates near the starter motor (bottom driver side of engine) or near the battery (where the relays are located).

Aside from that, begin with the starter. There have been a few cases where the terminals at the starter motor and solenoid became corroded. Being in a salty environment this is definitely a possibility. Just be sure to disconnect the battery first!​​​​​​

From there, you can then move up the diagnostic chain, if need be.

 

check to see if you have voltage at the starter signal wire when someone tries to start the car. if there is battery voltage and you hear a click noise the issue is the starter solenoid plunger or bendix inside the starter. if you have a good automotive electrical part warehouse you can pick up a solenoid for like $20 and put it in. if you don't have a automotive electrical part warehouse near you go get a reliable reman to put in.