Car won't start, one click noise on each key turn
 

When I turn the key on my 1997 2.2 CL (125k miles) I hear one click but the car won't start. Eventually, after 5 or 6 tries it starts beautifully.

I had the battery checked, it is good, (it is only 14 months old), recharges well. After taking the battery out for the check and putting it back in, the car started immediately and ran ok for about one month when the problem started again.

I cleaned the battery posts, although they did not seem corroded, it does not seem to make a difference. However, coincidence or not, moving the clamp/cables seems to sometimes get the car going on the second try.

Questions: how much should a garage check cost to isolate the problem? How much should it cost to replace the battery/starter cables or cut/fix/re-connect their ends if they are corroded? How much should it cost to replace the starter?

PS. What could be the problem? Why is it that (so far) it always starts nicely after several (5-6) tries but not on the first try. Could it eventually die completely on me and not start even after many tries?

my guess is pgmfi relay or starter

I just had this problem with my 97 3.0. We replaced the battery and that did nothing to change it. We tried jump starting it and that didnt work as well, except for once it did oddly enough. But i went to the auto parts store and got a new starter for it for 100 bucks; removed the battery and cables, took out the old one and put in the new one and it completely fixed my problem. I hope your fix is just as easy, but all your problems seem the same as mine.

I just played again with the battery cables, twisting and tightening them, pulling them around and the car now starts on first or second try, at least today. I'll see how it starts tomorrow. The cables are soldered solidly to the clamps and the battery posts are sparkling clean. Yet it seems as if there is a weak contact somewhere...

If it does it again could be the starter. Mine does it once in a blue moon. I tap the starter with a hammer lightly then harder if she wants to be a bioch. I dunno why I do it cuz I have another starter waiting in the garage to be put on lol.

Sounds like the starter, the 1 click you are hearing is the relay engaging. Also could be the wiring is f'd up or freyed since you had success moving the wires around

Happens with my 99 3.0cl. You need knew battery cables. That will fix the problem.

starter is bad.

befor changing you starter, check the fuse box,,and specaly your ECU fuse( check the fuse box diagram ,15 A),,,maybe you have to replaced.

Just had the same problem with my 00 TL. I could tap the starter and it would normally it would crank after that. Replaced starter and everything OK. Most likely it was just the solenoid but replaced entire starter; $500 at dealer.

Dayum gb noobs bumping a 2 year old thread