Car will not start. Relay just clicks. Can hear 3 beeps coming from what seems to be near the glove compartment, somewhere. 3 weeks ago similar thing happened, but I had to get transponder code from main dealer to tie key back in. That worked instantly, and drove fine for 3 weeks, but then suddenly stopped again. When recovery guy came, the car started, and did so again a few times in his presence, but then stopped again. Hasn't restated again since. Mechanics unable to find reason. say it is probably an electrical fault, maybe in the wiring. Any ideas?

Naeem, July 2016

Think it through. Power goes from battery to vehicle OK, as evidenced by the lights etc.

Power goes from battery to starter solenoid coil OK, as evidenced by the click.

Does power get to solenoid CONTACTS?

Does power get from solenoid contacts to the starter motor itself?

Are the solenoid contacts OK?

Is the starter motor OK?

Are ALL the high-current connections OK? - And that includes the earth strap between the angine clock and the chassis / battery negative

xxx, July 2016

Thank you for that. I do not believe it's the battery. There is only a single click when turning the key. But tomorrow I will try it with jump leads attached, just to rule that possibility out. When I was getting the relay click, I was also getting three beeps. But all the other electrics were working fine. With headlamps on, and hazard lights on, the wiper motor was going okay - usually a sign of a pretty healthy battery. But starter motor was still not even engaging. Strangely enough, got the car towed back to my house today from the garage, and whilst it was being towed, put it into second gear to see if it would start, and it started without hesitation. But will not even attempt it with the key??

naeem, July 2016

You do not say if the starter motor turns the engine over or not.

The comment about the relay is interesting but unclear - if the relay you hear makes high speed multiple clicks then that will be the starter relay sending power to the starter motor - if the battery is weak then the battery voltage will drop as it tries (and fails) to deliver a high current to the starter motor. When the voltage drops the relay will drop out and the battery voltage will rise and the starter relay will engage once more. Click-click-clickety click strongly suggests a battery with not enough power to turn the engine over.

Just measuring static battery voltage might not give full confidence of a good battery - voltage under load (turning the engine over) may be poor if the battery is weak.

Good Luck..., July 2016