sometimes when i try to start my car nothing happens and all i hear is a clicking sound when the engine should start. what is wrong with it, could it be the starter motor

chris, June 2004

my car just died one day it was like someone just turn the key off it will crank but wont start

roland blake, August 2010

In my 1997 Ford escort, when I go out to start my car it click. There a little wire that is connect to the battery cable. When I move it it click and the car start.
Where does that wire run to that make the car not to start and what can I do about it. It is tight but you have to make that little wire move before it start.

Elsie Edwards, April 2010

My 98 Ford Escort ZX2 has a starting problem every now and then. All the dash lights come on and the headlights work but it won't start when I turn the ignition on. Checked the fuses, reset the fuel pump switch (in the trunk, and moved it through gears and tried to start it in neutral and in park but nothing worked. However, when I disonnected the battery for a few minutes, the car started once the cables were re-connected. Might have been a coincidence but I suspect that it re-set whatever was preventing the car from starting.
I suspect the after-market alarms system was the cause. I bought the car at an auction a few weeks ago and the only paperwork that came with it is the pink-slip. I would like to disable the alarm system permanently, but I'm not sure how to go about it or who installed it.

Julie, June 2005

I'd agree with derek sounds like starter to me....(providing your battery is fully charged, and you only get one click not several clicks).

Nick, October 2004

theres a couple of possible things here.
Are the battery terminals clean and secure?
Is there a wire off of the solenoid, (thats the can shaped thing grafted onto the side of the starter)
if these are both ok then there is a check that a trained person can do with a jump lead but if you havnt one available its either going to be the solenoid or starter duff, and as you can't buy them seperate, it's a new starter i'm afraid.
sorry, good luck.

derek, June 2004