Rapid ticking on start up - engine wouldnt start

[Daniel2019]

Went for a maccas run (woo) and car was fine, parked it. Went inside, had some chew 'n spew then came back out, tried to start up the car. There was a rapid clicking noise on start up, and it wouldnt start. As I was holding the ignition to start up, the temperature guage dropped until I let go and stopped turning the key, and it rose back up. Tried starting it up 4-5 times. Didnt work, called NRMA roadside assistance, said they'd be anywhere from 10-90 minutes so I tried starting it up one last time, worked perfect. Pretty sure it wasnt the battery as a) my stereo and lights were working fine, b) volt meter was normal and c) I had just been driving it. The ticking noise sounded very unhealthy.. Anyone got any idea?

[silverGPX]

starter motor

[phi-tec]

starter motor

^^^this , if not check your alternator/battery properly - go to supercheap or an auto electrician etc etc

but def sounds like starter motor, happend to me with an old car, eventually really effs up and only had ONE chance to start it, on cold start.

[Taz]

Get a motor off dwayne, and then location depending a number of people are competant enough to change it for you - Ben in NSW, Matt in QLD etc

[Daniel2019]

Get a motor off dwayne, and then location depending a number of people are competant enough to change it for you - Ben in NSW, Matt in QLD etc

No worries, cheers. Might cost me a few cases I reckon.

[BearOnFire]

Or get it reconditioned by a mechanic. DIY section has a good guide.

[dstocks]

COuld just be a bad connection on your battery as well. Give your terminals a good clean and make sure that the connections are good.

[Bennoz]

Could also be poor connection on the starter itself.

Everyone loves to change their oil, no one loves cleaning up the mess the filter makes when you take it off... and dribbles all over the starter.

[dstocks]

Does the car start with a battery pack/jump start. If so, your problem is to do with the battery/alternator. If not then its to do with the starter.

[BearOnFire]

Everyone loves to change their oil, no one loves cleaning up the mess the filter makes when you take it off... and dribbles all over the starter.

Put a tarp over the sofa when working with gear oil, i'm copping a ear full from that putrid smell.

[Bennoz]

Everyone loves to change their oil, no one loves cleaning up the mess the filter makes when you take it off... and dribbles all over the starter.

Put a tarp over the sofa when working with gear oil, i'm copping a ear full from that putrid smell.

I once copped a face full of it once many years ago. Had to shave my head to get the smell out!

[Daniel2019]

Does the car start with a battery pack/jump start. If so, your problem is to do with the battery/alternator. If not then its to do with the starter.

Car starts perfectly fine, havent had a problem since. Was a one off instance where the car wouldnt start after 4-5 turns of the key. I tried it again 5 mins later and it worked perfect and theres been no problems since it happened.

[payaya]

starter motor

If there is a rapid clicking highly doubt its the starter. More likely charge related.