Car just clicks when I turn the key

Tiny
POP TAYLOR
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CADILLAC CTS
  • 3.2L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 104,200 MILES
Car just clicks when I turn the key. It has a new starter.
Saturday, September 17th, 2016 AT 3:51 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
That is the classic symptom of a loose or dirty battery cable. If you are hearing a rather loud, single clunk each time you turn the ignition switch to "crank". If you hear a real light click, that is some other relay turning on or off. Use a test light to measure the voltage on the large wire bolted to the starter. You should find 12 volts there. Now have a helper try to crank the engine while you're holding the test light. The voltage should drop a little but not go to 0 volts. If the test light goes out, there's a bad cable connection or the battery has a shorted cell.
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Saturday, September 17th, 2016 AT 4:31 PM

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