Does your Honda Accord have lights that come on and click when you turn the key but won't start? This article is intended to help you diagnose this exact scenario.
The good news is that this is a fairly common no-boot situation, and it's usually pretty easy to fix.A weak battery is the most common causeno startup and a clicking sound.
To diagnose
rapid diagnostic table
| caused | we click | Walnuts |
|---|---|---|
| Low battery status | quick click | Caused by a bad alternator, a battery that cannot hold a charge, or a slow discharge |
| corroded battery posts | quick click | There will be obvious corrosion on the battery. |
| loose clamp | quick click | hand mobile |
| Generator | fast or slow | Battery light comes on while driving |
| Beginner | a big explosion | Hammering can make it work |
Here we have listed a few things that can help you determine why your Accord is clicking but won't start.
Did the battery light come on while driving?
An alternator that hasn't charged the battery enough to provide enough voltage for the next start can cause your car to jump but not start even though the lights are still on.
Having your battery or alternator light come on while driving is good anecdotal evidence that your alternator is bad. It usually comes on when the charging system is activated in your honda accordThe voltage drops below 13.5 volts.
and youAccord battery or alternator comes onLast time it ran while driving and now it won't start, this is a strong indication that your car's alternator was unable to charge the battery sufficiently.
You can test it with a multimeter (see below).
Does it click or rattle?
If you hear a single click when you turn the key, it could still be the battery, but it's more likely a starter motor. A series of quick clicks is usually related to the battery.
try this first
Turn off everything that uses power in your Accord. Every electrical system draws power from the battery. If you run out of power to turn the starter, you can start the vehicle by temporarily disabling:
- automatic headlights
- Stereo
- Climate control
- Dome light (just make sure the door is closed)
Doesn't turn on, but lights come on/clicks
A weak battery is the most common cause ofCondition for not starting and clickingin the Honda Accord. We have listed the causes and things to check to check in a parking lot when you are stuck.
1. Loose or corroded battery posts/terminals (probably)
The first thing you should do is check the battery cables at the poles. The clamps connect the battery to your car's starter and wiring harness.
loose battery clip
Tools needed: wrench
If the battery posts are not corroded, lift them up one by one and see if they move. You are not allowed to move. If they wobble, you need to tighten them.
If you find yourself without a key, press down on the terminal and twist it to release it. Now try to start your Accord. Repeat this process several times until it bites and starts. When you get home, give the terminal a good press.
Corroded battery posts/poles
Tools needed: wire brush, wrench, gloves
CAUTION: Battery acid can burn eyes and skin, proceed at your own risk.
If your Accord's battery posts are corroded, you'll need to clean them enough to be ready to drive again.
How to clean a battery terminal
- You will need a wrench to loosen the clamp(s). Always start by taking the car outnegative pole first. Be sure not to touch both terminals at the same time with your key (you will electrocute yourself). Be careful not to hit the switch with bare metal when removing the positive terminal (pin).
- Then go to the post office. You can use a wire brush or sandpaper if you have one nearby. Most gas stations sell battery cleaners or wire brushes.
- Reinstall the positive wire you just cleaned first, then move it to the ground side.
Once the corrosion is gone, reattach the battery clips to the posts and see if your Accord starts. In this case, if the battery is not fully charged, be sure to let it run for a while before parking the car.
2. Dead battery (the most common cause)
An insufficiently charged battery is the main reason for your Honda Accord clicking but not starting. When this happens, the battery is faulty and can't hold a charge or the alternator isn't charging enough.
The main job of a battery is to provide enough current to power the starter. Once the car starts, the alternator can provide enough power to run everything.
Your Accord's battery voltage may be too low to crank the starter motor even though you're still turning your lights on. Parasitic battery discharge can also cause the battery to drain.
testing the battery
You can test your car battery or you can test it yourself. To test with a multimeter:
- Set the multimeter to volts and touch the negative and positive terminals.
- With the engine off, a good battery should read 12.6 volts or higher.
- After your Accord jumps (see below), the voltage should be between 13.5 and 14.5 volts. If it is less, the alternator is probably faulty.
If you don't have a multimeter handy, you can take your battery to your local parts store and they will test it for free. You have to drag it and ask someone to take it upstairs with you. It takes a while, they will charge you and see if there is any charge on it. Prepare to wait a bit.
How to start your agreement
If you think your battery is too low to start your car, jump start it quickly to get you back on the road. See how to do it:
- Connect to the positive poles first: Connect the red jumper wire to your car's positive battery terminal, and then connect the other end to your moving vehicle's positive battery terminal.
- Connect to negative terminals: Connect the black jumper wire to the ground terminal of your car. Then connect the other ground wire to a true ground source on the moving vehicle. There is usually a spot near the bottom of the battery. Any clean engine bolt or accessory will usually work fine. Technically, grounding the battery of the running vehicle will also work, but there's a small chance that grounding it this way will cause a battery fire, so don't do it.
- Do nothing: Let the battery charge for a few minutes.
- Include your Accord starter: If it seems to behave differently (blinks less or tries to turn on), adjust the jumper wire contacts and let it charge a bit longer.
- remove jumper wires: Reverse operation.
3. Faulty starter (quite likely)
Once you have verified that the battery voltage is good and that the battery terminals are tight and free of corrosion, the next most likely cause of a clicking noise and no starting condition is a bad start.
A bad start will usually make more noise than a click when the key is turned forward.
If it's stuck, you can always give the starter a hammer and see if that flips it over.
4. Poor starter ground connection
Your Accord's starter uses a heavy-duty ground wire that must be bolted securely to the engine. If the connection becomes weak due to corrosion, melting, or rodent damage, the vehicle will not start.
A quick visual inspection will quickly tell you if something is wrong, and it only takes a few seconds.
Conclusion: Honda Accord Clicks and Won't Start
A dead battery is the most common cause of clicking noises and not starting your Honda Accord. You can check your battery cables on the spot and quickly.
If you need to start your car, drive it directly to a place where your car battery will be tested. Otherwise, it may stop starting when you park.
FAQs
Why is my Honda Accord clicking but not starting? ›
If your vehicle won't start but you hear a rapid clicking sound when you turn the key then you may have a problem with your battery or alternator.
What does it mean when your car won't start and you hear a clicking noise? ›It might be a battery or alternator problem.
Perhaps your battery's dead, or your alternator, which charges the battery, isn't working correctly. If the source of the clicking is electrical, the starter (a small motor energized by the battery that gets the engine running) doesn't have enough juice to stay powered.
Common reasons for this to happen:
Damaged CV joint: The most common cause of a clicking or popping sound from the wheels is a broken CV joint. The CV joints, which stand for Constant Velocity, are essentially the wrists of your vehicle's steering system.
Usually, this points to a faulty relay or solenoid, or a bad or jammed starter motor. Solution: Rock your car back and forth or tap the starter motor with a hammer and try starting the engine again. If this works, you are good to go!
Does a bad alternator make a clicking noise? ›It requires a good deal of energy to crank the car's motor, and if a battery is not replenishing its power properly due to a faulty alternator, it will become drained and ineffective. You will hear a clicking noise while attempting to start the car, and the engine will have difficulty turning over.
Why won t my car start just clicks once but battery is good? ›If, however, you determine the battery is good, you could be dealing with a faulty starter, loose/corroded battery cables, or an engine mechanical problem. A faulty starter solenoid is also possible if the clicking noise you're hearing is coming from the starter relay.
Why won't my car start but I have power? ›Bad Spark Plugs
If the engine holds compression well, and the fuel system is working correctly, but it still won't start, that tells us that your car's spark plugs may not be working. The spark plugs ignite the air/fuel mixture inside the engine's cylinders. It's the resulting explosion that actually powers your car.
- The engine won't turn over. The most common signal that your starter has a problem is if nothing happens when you turn the key or push to start.
- Unusual noises, such as clinking, grinding and whirring. ...
- Intermittent problems starting the car. ...
- Smoke coming from under the hood.
The engine clicking sound can be caused by a leak in your engine, a faulty oil pump, or insufficient oil in the reservoir. If you were to continue driving the vehicle, permanent damage could occur. If there isn't enough lubrication in your engine, the engine could eventually fail.
What does it mean when your car engine makes a clicking noise? ›An engine with low oil or low oil pressure can make a ticking noise due to a lack of lubrication. If you are low on oil, it may indicate either oil consumption or an oil leak, both of which should be addressed as soon as possible.
What does it mean when your car makes a click noise? ›
If you are hearing a clicking sound, it's possible there is an issue with the starter system. There can be a faulty battery or alternator, so jump-start the battery with help from a friend or neighbor. If your battery dies shortly after, then you might have a problem with your alternator.
What are 2 symptoms that would indicate a faulty starter solenoid? ›- Engine Doesn't Crank or Start. ...
- No Clicking Noise When Trying to Start the Engine. ...
- Starter Spins Without Fully Engaging the Flywheel (Rare) ...
- Engine Cranks Slowly (Rare) ...
- Test the battery. ...
- Check That Power is Getting to the Starter Solenoid.
If your starter relay has gone bad, the electrical signal will never make it from the battery to the starter motor. As a result, your engine won't turn over - no matter how many times you turn the key. A faulty relay often produces an audible clicking sound when you turn your car.
What does it mean when starter relay clicks? ›The starter relay makes a clicking sound, but the engine does not rotate, which indicates that the starter motor is not receiving enough current from the relay. This may also be a sign of low or exhausted battery power. Only when it transmits enough current to the starter, the relay starts to work.
What sound does a failing alternator make? ›If you ever hear growling or whining noises coming from under the hood, you could have alternator problems, which should be checked out by a professional ASAP. This growling or whining sound happens when the belt that turns the alternator's pulley becomes misaligned or rubs against the side of the pulley.
What does it sound like when you try to start a car with a bad alternator? ›If you hear a whine or the sound goes fuzzy when you hit the gas, your alternator is probably failing. If the vehicle won't crank or start but the headlights are still working, look to problems with the starter or other parts of the engine.
How do you know if your alternator is fried? ›- Headlights that start pulsating at night, from dim to bright.
- A burning smell coming from the alternator.
- Dashboard warning lights turning on abruptly.
- A squealing sound from your engine.
The fuse box (also called the power box), the instrument panel under the fuse panel, or the right fender are all possible locations. In most cars, it will be under the hood, in a large box with a black lid. This is where car fuses and relays are installed.
Why does my relay click but no power? ›The relay clicks repeatedly because the battery is likely bad. When the battery is bad it has some output voltage but cannot sustain a load. When you close the start switch the relay pulls in which does it because it uses limited current and the battery is strong enough to pull it in, that's the click you hear.
What sensor would stop a car from starting? ›One common culprit for this problem is the crankshaft position sensor, which measures the position and speed of the crankshaft. The computer uses the information from this sensor to know when to fire the spark plugs. If the sensor isn't working, the spark plugs won't fire, keeping the engine from starting.
How do I know if my starter fuse is blown? ›
One of the best ways to determine if a car fuse has blown is by using a test light. It should illuminate both ends of the fuse, and, if it doesn't, it needs to be replaced. Sometimes, a blown fuse is caused by a damaged wire, motor, or other part.
How do I know if my starter is bad Honda Accord? ›- Engine Won't Turn Over. Turning the key or pressing the start button and nothing happens the most obvious sign of a bad starter. ...
- Dimming Lights. You'll also notice dimming headlights or interior lights whenever you start your Honda. ...
- Grinding Noise. ...
- Smoke.
With the ignition turned off and the transmission in "park" -- and with all due care -- connect one end of the red/positive jumper cable to the positive terminal of the battery. Touch the other end of the red cable to the positive terminal on the starter motor. The starter should spin/crank the engine.
What is a VTC actuator on a Honda? ›VTC is a hydraulically operated system that controls the timing of the chain-driven intake camshaft, advancing or retarding it during the intake cycle.
What does valve train noise sound like? ›Clicking or a sharp tapping from the valve cover on top of the engine would point to a valve train noise. A dull tapping or slapping sound from the side of the engine block would point more toward piston slap.
What does a timing belt sound like when it's going out? ›Generally, a timing belt that goes bad makes a noticeable ticking or clicking timing belt sound that is unusual. When the timing belt starts falling the ticking or clicking sound becomes pretty audible.
How do you check a starter on a Honda Accord? ›Here's a quick test: turn your headlights so they shine onto a wall and watch your dashboard when you turn the key. If the lights do not dim and there is a whirring sound, then it is the starter. A clicking sound without the whirring noises from the starter would indicate a solenoid or battery problem.
What does a bad starter relay sound like? ›A faulty relay often produces an audible clicking sound when you turn your car. Contact a mechanic immediately if your car fails to start and you notice this sound.
What does a bad starter solenoid sound like? ›A bad starter's tell-tale noise is loud clicking. It can either have a fast tempo, click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click or a slower lilt of click, click, click, click. No other part makes these noises when they fail, so if you hear either, you're likely going to be on the hook for a brand-new starter.
How do I know if its my starter or ignition? ›Starter motors should make noise when you turn your ignition key fully to activate your car. If you turn the key and do not hear anything, there's a chance that there's something wrong with the vehicle's ignition switch.
How do I test if my starter is working? ›
Connect the remote starter switch to the battery positive and the solenoid (smaller wire) terminal on the starter and click the switch. If nothing happens, you've got a bad starter. If the starter turns, the problem is in the electrical system.
How do you check if your starter is not working? ›- A clicking sound can be heard when you turn the key.
- Turning the keys in the ignition won't start the vehicle, but the dash lights come on.
- When jump starting your vehicle, it does not turn over at all.
- The vehicle cranks slowly or may even turn over weakly.