Q: Trouble starting the car.

asked by on December 13, 2016

Car doesn't "turn over" when I turn the key in the ignition. It hiccups, then even turns on and off electrically like it's trying to start, even after the key is removed from the ignition. I attempted to charge the battery, assuming it was dead, but it's still not working.

My car has 89000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Starter Replacement $169.22 - $1153.49 Get a Quote

It sounds like you may have a faulty starter solenoid. The starter solenoid is located on the starter and has internal electrical contacts that transmit electricity to the starter. When this fails, it may cause a clicking sound and will not allow the starter to engage the flywheel when you turn the key. I would suggest having a professional from YourMechanic come to your home to diagnose your starter.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I adjust the seat belt height?
The shoulder strap on the front seat belts can be adjusted to best fit the driver and the front passenger. The belt is adjusted at the shoulder anchor, which is where the belt retracts into. To raise the height of...
How do I flash the high beams?
You can quickly flash the high beam headlights to get the attention of another driver or a pedestrian. To do so, pull the turn signal lever (which protrudes from the left side of the steering column) towards you, and immediately...
Burning smell from fuse box
An electrical burning smell coming from the fuse block is never a good sign. Your fuse block is a major junction in the supply of power to most of your engine management system and accessories. A proper inspection should be...
Is the thermostat hard to replace in 2011 300
Hello, thanks for writing in about your Chrysler 300. The labor time for this job usually takes around an hour to replace the thermostat and cover assembly. The upper radiator hose and intake air cleaner hose needs removed for access...
My car is running rough after changing the spark plugs and wires.
Hey there, the first thing to check are any trouble codes (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-read-and-understand-check-engine-light-codes-by-jason-unrau), even though this is pre-OBD II (Ford MCU or EEC-Iv engine management systems), there are inexpensive code readers for these engines, or your local parts store can read...
Clicking noise with steering wheel - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
There are three or more steering system recalls (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-know-if-your-car-has-been-recalled-by-kevin-woo_2) that may pertain to this vehicle. One is for the steering knuckle that was not made correct and not tightened correct during assembly and the loss of steering may be possible....
I have oil dripping from the steering damper all the way back to the transmission
I hear you, tracing oil leaks is hard! I suspect as you do that the leak is at the "nose" or front of the engine (possibly at the front crankshaft seal (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/front-crankshaft-seal-replacement)), and the higher oil pressure at road speed...
My car won't start. The odometer reads: NO BUS.
The error code "no bus" means the PCMS are not communicating (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/electric-problems-inspection) with each other. Likely one of them has gone bad, or there is a bad connection. You can do further testing on them using a multimeter. This will...
My car is sputtering and when I drive it’s louder and then it was and more shaky. And when I go to speed up it has a hard time.
If the vehicle has less power and does not run correct and seems louder than it should can be caused by the air filter clogged or the catalyst is clogged. It can even be loss of fuel pressure and clogged...

Related articles

Starter or Car Battery: How to Diagnose Which Part is Bad?
A dead car battery is a common cause for a car not starting condition. A faulty car starter motor can have similar symptoms, but the fix is different.
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Nissan LEAF
The The introduction of the LEAF represented the beginning of an age many car experts were skeptical would even happen – true mass production of a 100% electric vehicle. Not only did it happen but the LEAF was grabbed up...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Nissan Frontier
When When looking for a truck, the 2012 Nissan Frontier could be the vehicle you’ve been hunting for. It has a great look, a strong engine, and it is reliable. The vehicle has been making gains on other trucks in...