# Honda CR-V trying to start, just clicking **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** cr-v, honda\ **Created:** [October 31, 2011, 1:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-cr-v-trying-to-start-just-clicking/69108 "2011-10-31T13:47:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![msjan08](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@msjan08](https://community.cartalk.com/u/msjan08)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 1:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-cr-v-trying-to-start-just-clicking/69108/1 "2011-10-31T13:47:29Z")
Yesterday I went out for a few errands, but noticed the car was a little sluggish when starting. So, when I got home, after I turned off the ignition, I tried to start the car again. Just clicking and then nothing. Did that a few times and then just gave up. This morning I decided to try again. At first, just clicking, but then I started to pump the gas pedal and it started fine. I want to have it checked, but wanted to ask for some opinions first to have a general idea of what to expect at the repair shop. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![mark9207](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71c47a/32.png) [@mark9207](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mark9207)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 1:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-cr-v-trying-to-start-just-clicking/69108/2 "2011-10-31T13:52:45Z")
Sounds like a dead battery to me. Expect to have to replace the battery and possibly whatever else they find wrong with it. ---
**Author:** ![msjan08](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@msjan08](https://community.cartalk.com/u/msjan08)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 2:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-cr-v-trying-to-start-just-clicking/69108/3 "2011-10-31T14:08:58Z")
A dead battery? Even though it started this morning? ---
**Author:** ![chaissos](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/chaissos/32/2347_2.png) [@chaissos](https://community.cartalk.com/u/chaissos)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 5:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-cr-v-trying-to-start-just-clicking/69108/4 "2011-10-31T17:55:34Z")
Sure. You said it was turning “sluggishly”. That sounds like a dead or dying battery. By clicking, you don’t mean that the engine was doing the rrr…rrr…rrr…rrr… of actually trying to start, right? Did you try having a friend/neighbor jump start it to get you going? If it turns over normally with a jump, then dead battery it is. ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 5:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-cr-v-trying-to-start-just-clicking/69108/5 "2011-10-31T17:58:27Z")
Your battery can die quite suddenly without any notice at all. Yours gave notice. You also need to have your alternator tested. If you get it running & can drive it to an auto parts store many test the system for free. They will then install a new battery for free if that is what is needed. ---
**Author:** ![mark9207](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71c47a/32.png) [@mark9207](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mark9207)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 6:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-cr-v-trying-to-start-just-clicking/69108/6 "2011-10-31T18:09:11Z")
Batteries can be quite peculiar, although your case sounds classic, with sluggish cranking followed by the inevitable clicking and no-crank-no-start condition. Batteries can also start the car fine one moment then be completely dead the next. The most unusual case I have seen, though, would be the battery in my old minivan. I bought the vehicle last year for $500. It sat for months before I bought it and would not start, but did accept a jump. Every time thereafter, while I was preparing it for being put back on the road, I would have to jump start it to get it to run, so I anticipated buying a battery for it. After all, it was dead and four years old according to the installation tag on it. I put plates on it and intended to replace the battery, but it then began to start fine. A load test proved the battery to be fine. All last winter, it cranked strong even on the -20 degree days. I still haven’t replaced the battery and am a little puzzled as to what brought it back to life.