Machine gun click on start

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Nov 7, 2008 | 01:34 PM

ZMonet

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Joined: Oct 2008

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From: MD

Machine gun click on start

I went in to start my SC430 today and got a VERY rapid click, click, click, click. It sounded like 20 clicks in a single second. Is this what everyone is referring to when they talk about a drained battery? I'm not sure if my wife left a door open or what. Lights do come on though and I am able to move the seats backwards and forwards. Would this be possible if it was truly a battery problem? Can anyone suggest any other tests? I unfortuantely don't have a volt meter.

Thanks. I tried doing a search but didn't find anything that was spot on my problem.

Last edited by ZMonet; Nov 7, 2008 at 01:38 PM.

Nov 7, 2008 | 01:40 PM

farquad

Lexus Test Driver

Joined: Jun 2008

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From: Ca

it depends what kind of click it is, i believe when the starter goes, it too makes a clicking noise.. but it's different from the click a dead battery makes.. if your battery is dead, it may have enough left to move your seat back and forth rather than turning your entire car on.. i'm thinking it's a drained battery, so just get someone to give you a boost (Y)

Nov 7, 2008 | 02:15 PM

LiCelsior

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From: NY

get a volt meter and test the battery.

Nov 7, 2008 | 02:29 PM

talwang

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From: NASA

Free battery test is available at AutoZone.

When was the last time you changed the battery?
If you have a 2002 and have never changed it, it is time to do so.

Nov 7, 2008 | 02:32 PM

farkas

Lead Lap

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From: Ohio

Sounds like a dead battery to me! Turn on the headlights and try to blow the horn, if it sounds sick, the battery is bad...

Nov 7, 2008 | 04:11 PM

ZMonet

Thread Starter

Driver School Candidate

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From: MD

Thanks guys. I'm embarrassed to say I don't even own jumper cables as I haven't owned a car in quite some time that would need them. I'll go buy some, jump the car and then get the battery tested. Can anyone recommend a good replacement battery. Probably will go to NTB. Thanks!

Nov 8, 2008 | 06:34 AM

ZMonet

Thread Starter

Driver School Candidate

Joined: Oct 2008

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From: MD

Jumped the car and had success. Thanks everyone. I drove it for about 25 minutes, came back, turned it off and it started back up. Now we'll see if the car holds a charge.

Nov 8, 2008 | 07:30 AM

EJC

Instructor

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 1,149

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From: New Hampshire

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZMonet

Jumped the car and had success. Thanks everyone. I drove it for about 25 minutes, came back, turned it off and it started back up. Now we'll see if the car holds a charge.

For an '02 original battery your at the end of it's life.
A good cold snap will probably finish it off.

We don'r use our SC that much and started using a battery tender on it. A 2 station Tender keeps 2 of our cars batteries topped off. Cost about $50-75 from Amazon. It monitors the battery and trickle charges only when needed so the battery won't overcharge.

Nov 8, 2008 | 10:21 AM

#10

TnESC300

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Joined: Oct 2008

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From: Fl

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curry

I would swap out to a yellow top. I've had one for about 3 years now and it still runs strong. It's been through 3 cars and 2 accidents... LOL. Its going into a 4th car this week....

+1 on a yellow top. Optima batteries have incredible shelf life

Nov 9, 2008 | 08:19 AM

#11

tfischer

CL Community Team

Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 3,878

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From: Ohio

Every car needs jumper cables. It's just that you don't always need to use them.

Nov 9, 2008 | 10:30 AM

#12

trbo1stgen

Rookie

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 83

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From: Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by tfischer

Every car needs jumper cables. It's just that you don't always need to use them.

lost my jumper cable virginity yesterdat on my car, usually used the jump box. my car didnt click though it just did asolutly nothing.then again it has been sitting for 3 months

Nov 9, 2008 | 10:40 AM

#13

RX469

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From: MD

Quote:

Originally Posted by trbo1stgen

lost my jumper cable virginity yesterdat on my car, usually used the jump box. my car didnt click though it just did asolutly nothing.then again it has been sitting for 3 months

What's a jump box??

Nov 9, 2008 | 11:09 AM

#14

GSteg

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From: CA

He probably means a portable jumpstart battery. I have one of those, but it's still a good idea to carry jumper cables just in case.

Nov 9, 2008 | 12:01 PM

#15

Yes

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Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 2,090

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From: NM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TnESC300

+1 on a yellow top. Optima batteries have incredible shelf life

is Optima D34/78 the correct battery? they didn't have our car listed on their site when you search by vehicle.

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