Planned a long drive on a pleasant sunny day? You are all set for a comfortable driving experience. You get in your car, prepared and excited, but wait, what’s that rapid clicking when trying to start car? A sudden wave of disappointment and stress hits your mind. Starting your car might feel like a simple process, however, a variety of components function in the background to make it happen. Therefore, any sort of malfunction or fault in the starting mechanism can lead your car to a noisy start.
The battery of your car is a really important part that is responsible to get your car started. A clicking noise might be audible from a faulty battery. Although, there might be various other sources of the disappointing noise from your vehicle. Furthermore, noises indicate a considerable amount of damage in a vehicle, therefore, ignoring them can cause a more complex problem in the future.
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What Is The Reason Behind The Rapid Clicking When Trying To Start Car?
Starting your car is a complex process comprising of various functional components. The ignition switch signals the battery to generate electric energy. Consequently, the starter of your car receives this electric current and engages the engine. This process involves a high degree mechanical functionality. Therefore, any fault or malfunction can cause a rapid clicking noise when trying to start car.
1. Battery Issues
The battery is the first part to get involved in the starting process of your car. A battery powers the car with a powerful electric current. The clicking noise can be electric in nature. The transfer of current from the battery can be hampered due to various reasons. A drained battery is unable to generate enough power, hence, a clicking noise is heard when you try to start your car. Thick wires are used to channelize the current to the starter motor of the vehicle. Damaged wires can also degrade the starting process and this fault is a potential reason for a noisy start. 
2. Starter Problems
If the battery seems fine but a clicking noise is audible, the problem might be from the starter of your car. The starter system of the car is a simple mechanism but comprises some complex components. The solenoid is the switch that engages the starter motor so that the engine can be started. A faulty solenoid is unable to initiate the starter of the car and the current from the battery remains unutilized. This malfunction can cause a clicking noise when you try to start your car. 
3. Faulty Alternator
The battery of your car provides electric current to many components of the machine. Therefore, it requires a constant charging source. The alternator of your car performs this function. It charges the battery. The alternator might be a problem if the battery seems completely fine. A faulty alternator is unable to replenish the power of the battery. A considerable amount of power is drained when the battery engages the starter of your car. Therefore, a damaged alternator is unable to handle this lack of power and a rapid clicking noise is audible.
4. Faulty Wiring And Connections
Sometimes, the source of noise is a basic wiring fault in your car. Thick wires run across the battery and the starter motor of your car. Any sort of damage or cut in these wires can hamper the starting mechanism of your car. A careless mechanic can connect the wires in a faulty manner and this can be a reason behind the clicks. Furthermore, corrosion can build up on the terminals with time. Wire damage is a common reason behind an improper start.
How To Get Rid Of The Rapid Clicking Noise Heard During Start?
Noises are disappointing and they need to be fixed. Repairing or replacing a specific component will help you get rid of the clicking noise. Proper diagnosis is necessary to conclude a potential fix for the problem. Usually, the battery and starter components require a fix in such a case.
1. Fixing The Battery
You must check your car for a drained battery. A battery cannot generate strong current to start the car if it is low on power. A drained battery can be charged to regain efficiency. However, batteries have a life. They degrade with time and replacing them with new ones ensures that the overall performance of the car is upgraded. A new battery is efficient and generates the required amount of current. The starter motor is engaged with ease and the clicking noise is eliminated easily. 
2. Checking The Wiring
Sometimes, the solution to this complex problem is a simple inspection. Faulty connections and wires cause a degraded start experience for your car. The battery and the solenoid must be checked for faulty or damaged wires and connection. Corroded terminals should be replaced with new ones to ensure a proper flow of current. Once the wiring is corrected, the rapid clicking when trying to start car is eliminated by a simple fix. Therefore, you must ensure that the wires are connected properly.
3. Repairing The Starter
The starter of your car functions to engage the engine of the car. Therefore, current from the battery is useless if the starter is unable to initiate the engine. A starter must be inspected for a faulty solenoid. Repairing the solenoid ensures that the starter is signaled about the current flow from the battery. A perfect starter initiates a smooth and silent start.
4. Repairing The Alternator
If the problem is diagnosed with the alternator, it indicates that the battery is running low on charge. A new alternator constantly replenishes power for the battery. This ensures that the battery stays functional, to power the starting process. The rapid clicking when trying to start car can be a result of a damaged alternator.
Conclusion
Getting your car started is the initial step towards a comfortable drive. This process should be smooth and silent in nature. Additionally, a smooth start gives a feeling of a perfect beginning. A noisy start creates a bad impression about your vehicle. A simple malfunction degrades the complete driving experience hence, these rapid clicks must not be overlooked.
Stay safe and keep driving
Thank you