2001 Coupe Automatic
Not a daily driver

When trying to start she just clicks...

About a month or so ago, she started this clicking. Had battery tested, cleaned battery connections. OK but still intermittent clicking. But she would always eventually start after a few clicks...

For about the last couple of weeks I have been getting intermittent 'charging system fault' on the DIC

Today, would not start after a few clicks.

-Cleaned key with pencil eraser. (dont have any contact spray to spray in the switch so I havent done that..) I only have one key. I may replace ignition switch tomorrow. Will she still 'click' if ignition switch is bad???

-Contacts on starter are tight (wont wiggle when I jiggle them by hand-havent checked with a wrench yet)

-jiggled key in ignition while trying to start

-held key in start position for a while

-Just bought a new battery today.

-Checked Minifuse 14 (10 amp) and Maxifuse 52 (60 amp) in the pass toeboard fuse panel located on the passenger side

-tapped starter (could not try this at the same time that I was trying to start it. I am by myself) Starter is NEW about 8 months ago.

-Tested alternator (on car) yesterday. They said it was ok. I'm going to remove it and have it retested tomorrow.

-security light comes on & goes off after about 5 seconds

-quickly checked under hood fuses (starting to rain & cant get car back in the garage.

-cleaned grounds 103,104,201,202 earlier today before replacing battery. cleaned 301,302,401,402 about a year ago (along with others just mentioned) I cannot remember if I did 101,102 last year. I have not cleaned engine grounds.

-Just today getting p1638 hc (generator f terminal circuit) this is the only current dic code now after replacing battery. If alternator is bad will it still 'click' while trying to start???

-I have NOT checked the Theft Deterent Relay. If TDR is bad will it still 'click?'



Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Forgot to mention, jiggled shifter and put in neutral and park while trying to start also............................

 

There are some relays that click on the passenger side fuse panel when you try to start, but you have to determine if it is the TDR. The TDR has four wires, a large gauge red wire that is +12 V fused supply, a large gauge violet wire that goes to the starter/solenoid, a smaller gauge wire from the ignition switch, and a small gauge striped wire that comes from the BCM and provides a ground to the TDR. By using a DVM you can determine if the TDR is bad.

 

Thanks for the reply, mmartinez.

The clicking appears to be coming from the engine compartment, not the passenger floor area. I have not removed the exhaust to get to the starter yet and have it tested. I dont think thats it because I just bought a new one spring of last year. However, that will be the next thing to take off & check. Maybe the new starter has a defect...

Maybe tdr is bad. I donno. Drivin me loco...

I had a new key made today. Nope. Still doesnt start. Alternator checks good.

I think I may have 2 separate problems here. One related to the no start issue and the other related to the p1638 code.

I am trying to remove the ignition switch to check the contacts. I have everything off except the cable looking thing coming out of the back of the switch. Anyone help me on how to remove that???

Thanks.

 

Check you connections on your starter first, then try the smack your starter with a small hammer. It maybe your starter, its not unheard of that a new or re-manufactured starter can start having problems. I recently replaced the starter on my everyday car a 1992 Stealth R/T, and its already giving me problems, I agree with you that its the starter because the clicking is coming from the engine compartment. I would not worry about the ignition switch being your problem. Good luck

 

Weather was nice yesterday so put car on jack stands & removed exhaust to check starter. The post with the hot wire jiggled just a little bit... Easy fix, right? So I grab a wrench to tighten it up & snapped the post right off the starter...

I told the dude at O'Reilly's straight up that I broke it & he replaced it under warranty anyway.

It did look as if the post was not bonded or welded correctly were it connects to the solenoid internally. That may have been how the 'clicking' started in the first place a few weeks ago...

Back on the road again.

 

good to hear that ...