When I go to start my car, the engine does not turnover, all I get is very rapid clicking sound (presumably the starter). I know it sounds like the starter is bad, but what gets me is that the starter is clicking so rapidly, it sounds unusual. Dash lights appear to be in working order, but power seems very low, as the windows do not roll up/down very quickly at all. I have a brand new optima red-top battery, all terminals are clean and un-corroded.
Does my problem still sound like a bad starter? I don't want to pay for all that labor and find out it's something else. Thanks for the advice in advance.

 

Weak battery, if starter goes bad you will hear just one loud click.

 

your battery sounds like its dead replace the battery that should solve your problems

 

You just bought a new battery and the guys above state it already dead?

 

yes, ever heard of a defective battery ???

 

Loose (Very common) all you should have to do is move the connection if that is the problem.

 

if you just bought a new battery and its already dead, if the connections on the batter are solid, then it most likely is the alternator. what happens is that the battery is able to start the car and keep it running, but with out the alternator, it cant recharge the battery. check the terminals first, and then if thats not it, i would have someone check the amperage of the charging system. if the amps are too low, the alt is shot. its not hard to fix though, the alt is a little pricey, but the replacement take about 30 min.

as for the loud clicking, that the starter trying to turn the flywheel over, and not having enough amperage to do so. no big deal.

 

the same thing happened to me on my 94 gs300, i ended up replacing the alternator first
and then the starter shortly after. Those two parts were the only things that have ever gone wrong
out of the two GS300's that i have owned

 

Same thing happen with my IS...I thought it was the battery but I went to have it tested out..tested good...so next think I figured it was the connectors...sure enough, it was...didn't have any other problems after replacing the connectors..

 

wait...it may be your alternator which caused your battery to die. You need to have your battery tested, if it still takes charges good, then its obviously your alternator

 

Problem solved...cheaply, thank god. It turned out to be the battery. A wire from my neon lights in my trunk came loose and caused a drain.

 

Check the alternator and Starter...also check to see if something is draining power from the battery. If the battery is completely dead you will not hear any clicking...

I had to deal with this for 2 weeks after I got my amp changed and my new battery will die on me after leaving the car for a day or 2, it was my amp draining my battery...