Clunking noise at start

NICOLE_WHITT

MEMBER
2013 NISSAN ROGUE
113,450 MILES

When I try to start my car it makes a clunking noise, stalls on starting, my entire dash spazzes out and then resets. The clunking is getting progressively worse and worse and taking longer to start every time it happens. It's done it five times since last Saturday. I have no idea what is going on and it is really worrying me because I have to drive it about 320+ miles every week.

3 Replies

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Just to be sure we are on the same page. When you start the vehicle, it starts and runs but you hear a clunk noise after it starts?

If this is the case and the engine stalls after it starts, then I am thinking this is a starter issue that is not disengaging.

However, is there a way you can get a recording of this noise so that we can hear it?

Here are a couple guides that will help with this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/stall-at-idle

However, without hearing it, I am not sure this will directly address your issue. So again, if we can get a recording, I suspect that will be the best next steps.

Please let us know and we can go from there. Thanks

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Saturday, October 23rd, 2021 AT 6:57 PM

NICOLE_WHITT

MEMBER
2 POSTS

The clunking is as it is trying to start. It clunks a few times and then turns on. Once it is on it is perfectly fine but turning it on is the issue.
I ended up going to an auto parts store as soon as I got off work because I was worried, and once the hood was opened, he noticed there was a lot of corrosion on the battery. The worker tested it and told me my battery was four years old and had corroded a good bit. I got it replaced and he said if it makes the clunking again it means my alternator was also going out. Because I went straight to the store, I didn't think of trying to record turning it on. The best way I can describe it is as I was turning my key it sounded almost like a hammer beating on my car. I am hoping it was just poor battery connection/weak battery and cleaning the affected area and replacing it will fix the issue. Thank you for your feedback.

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Saturday, October 23rd, 2021 AT 7:10 PM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Okay. That is great info, and I don't think I need the recording because I think I get it now.

I think the parts store guy was partly right. The corrosion on the battery may be related to the alternator but we can have that tested using this guide. Most parts stores have the ability to do this free of charge.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

However, this is not going to cause the clunk noise. The clunk noise is the starter solenoid that is not fully engaging the starter motor.

This could be caused by one of two things. First a weak battery, which is what I thought the parts guys' point was. If the alternator is failing and that will cause the battery to fail, then that can cause the starter to not have enough voltage in order to turn the starter.

However, if the battery was cleaned and passed a load test as shown in this guide and the issue continues then more than likely the starter solenoid is the cause of this and the starter will need to be replaced.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Here is what I would do because we still have to many variables. Have the alternator and battery tested now so that we know if they are okay. If not, replace what did not pass these tests.

If they are both ok and this happens again, then we need to replace the starter. However, if they both are fine or you replace them and they are fine and this never happens again, then the weak battery/poor connection was the issue.

Thanks for clarifying this as I think we are hot on the trail. Thanks

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Sunday, October 24th, 2021 AT 8:18 AM