# Car wont start

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start/73293>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [June 29, 2012, 10:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start/73293 "2012-06-29T22:08:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 8\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![NickWahne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/41988e/32.png) [@NickWahne](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NickWahne)\
**Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 10:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start/73293/1 "2012-06-29T22:08:08Z")

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My car makes a rapid fire clicking sound. I’ve checked the battery connections and they seem fine. When I tried to jump start, the electronics inside start flashing to the same clicking sound. The check engine light is on. Thanks.  
Nick

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**Author:** ![RemcoW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/remcow/32/2471_2.png) [@RemcoW](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RemcoW)\
**Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 11:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start/73293/2 "2012-06-29T23:43:02Z")

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What shape is the battery in? Also check the other end of the battery connections, especially the ones to ground.

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**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2012, 1:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start/73293/3 "2012-07-01T01:27:38Z")

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My first thought is that you have a bad starter, but it might be worse. What kind of car? year? make? model? engine size? miles?

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**Author:** ![NickWahne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/41988e/32.png) [@NickWahne](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NickWahne)\
**Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 8:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start/73293/4 "2012-07-02T20:48:50Z")

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Its a 2008 Volkwagen jetta with about 60000 miles on it.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![RemcoW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/remcow/32/2471_2.png) [@RemcoW](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RemcoW)\
**Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 8:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start/73293/5 "2012-07-02T20:52:09Z")

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What color is it?

Seriously, what have you tried doing?

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**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\
**Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 9:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start/73293/6 "2012-07-02T21:28:56Z")

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Is the starter turning over the engine or just making a clicking sound? Did jump starting the engine help? Can you put a wrench on the pulley bolt on the end of the crankshaft and turn the engine by hand?

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**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\
**Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 9:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start/73293/7 "2012-07-02T21:29:42Z")

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Do you have an automatic transmission or a manual?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![NickWahne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/41988e/32.png) [@NickWahne](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NickWahne)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 12:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start/73293/8 "2012-07-03T00:50:36Z")

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had a friend look at it. New battery fixed the problem. thanks for the support.