By "just clicks", do you mean once each time you turn the ignition switch to "crank", or a rapid, repeated clicking as long as you hold it in "crank"?
If it's a steady clicking / buzzing, sort of like a machine gun, either the battery has a dead cell or the battery cables are loose or dirty.
Measure the battery voltage with an inexpensive digital voltmeter. It should be close to 12.6 volts. Measure again, right on the battery posts, while a helper turns the ignition switch to "crank". Next, move the voltmeter probes from the battery posts to the cable clamps, (you'll be moving each probe about 1/2 inch), and measure again. If you find considerably less voltage on the cable clamps, remove them and clean the connections. Another clue will be the headlights and dome light will dim or go out when you try to crank the engine. If this is the problem, the click you're hearing is the starter relay.
If the click is a rather loud clunk once each time you turn the ignition switch, suspect worn solenoid contacts in the starter, especially if it was a used one you put in previously. This is pretty common on the little silver Nippendenso starters. The contacts can be replaced for 20 bucks but most people just replace the entire starter. The clues here are the headlights will stay bright, and it will eventually crank if you keep cycling the ignition switch to "crank" enough times.
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Saturday, January 15th, 2011 AT 10:32 PM
