Startup issues clicking noise?

Tiny
DM419
  • MEMBER
  • 2017 SUBARU WRX
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 70,000 MILES
I took the car battery to get tested, and it was showing 70% charge. I swapped batteries with my other car, and it started right up. However, when I put the original battery back in, I encountered the same issue: it wouldn't start. After that, I replaced it with a new battery, but the problem persisted, as I heard a clicking noise and it still wouldn't start. I swapped the batteries with my other car again, but this time it didn't start either. I have checked all the fuses and relays I could find. Additionally, when I open the door, I hear that clicking noise again.

video link...https://youtube.com/shorts/Q7AYx-koUpo?feature=share
Friday, June 13th, 2025 AT 12:51 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 14,680 POSTS
What you describe sounds like a bad battery connection. Either corrosion in the cable itself or at the end where they connect to the car. You pulled the dead battery out and put the other one in and that moved the cables enough to give a better connection. Then the car started. You put the new battery in it because the connection failed again.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Just clean the battery ends first, then follow the cable back to the other end and clean it as well. Now see if it starts the way it should.
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Saturday, June 14th, 2025 AT 3:53 AM
Tiny
DM419
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Sorry for the delays, the e-mail ended up in my spam folder. Battery connectors are cleaned, verified ground and same issue.

Here is a quick video:

https://youtube.com/shorts/KbZ19szPHfk?si=7MtNaT6OXGYyFeo-
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Tuesday, June 17th, 2025 AT 11:47 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 14,680 POSTS
Okay, take a pair of jumper cables. Take the red and connect it from battery positive and to where that cable connects to the vehicle. Then take the negative and connect it between battery negative and a good ground on the engine block. The idea is to parallel the battery cables to see if there is an internal issue with them. If it now starts, disconnect the positive and try again. If it doesn't start the positive cable is bad. If it still starts disconnect the negative and test again. If it doesn't start now the negative cable is bad. That rapid clicking and the dash going out still says that it's either a bad connection or a bad cable.
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Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 AT 1:08 AM

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