Why Is My Chevy Equinox Clicking When Trying to Start?
Chevrolet Equinox owners often encounter a clicking sound when they try to start their vehicle. There are several reasons why this may occur, but the most common causes are a poor electrical connection and a weak battery.
Fortunately, this type of issue can be easily fixed. The first step is to examine your car’s battery. If it is leaking fluid, this is the sign that you need to replace it. This will not be expensive. You can check the battery’s status with a voltmeter. A good rule of thumb is that the healthy 12v battery should have more than 12.6 volts when fully charged.
Another quick and easy fix is to inspect the ground connections. Some of these connections can be loose or corroded, causing the battery to leak. Also, make sure that the ground strap that connects the engine to the chassis is firmly bolted into place. If the ground strap is not, this could be the reason why your Equinox isn’t starting.
Starter motors are also known to generate a clicking sound. This is because the starter motor requires a high amount of electric current to turn the engine over. It is also possible for the connection between the starter and the body to be loose or corroded, preventing current flow to the crankshaft.
Battery corrosion is a major problem that affects many cars. This is because the battery acid reacts with the metal terminals, causing a reduction in current flow. When the batteries are in good condition, the terminals should not wiggle and be easy to tighten. In fact, it can be done without removing the paint.
An alternator is another common problem that can cause a clicking sound. This is because the battery needs to be charged enough to power the motor. When the battery is not charged, it can not power the engine, which in turn causes the vehicle to stop and not start.
Luckily, you can remedy this with a simple multimeter test. To do this, use a multimeter set to the ohms symbol. Be sure to touch the probe to the negative terminal of the battery. If the reading is less than ohms, the device is probably not working properly.
While the Chevy Equinox makes a few other noises when you are trying to start it, the clicking noise is the easiest to fix. It can be caused by a number of different issues, so it is important to rule out the more serious options before you start tinkering with the alternator and the wiring harness.
One of the more obvious symptoms of a bad battery is a faulty battery indicator light. If your vehicle is making this chime, you should have a mechanic check your alternator. Otherwise, you may want to invest in a new battery, which is not as costly as you might think.
Several common causes for the Chevy Equinox’s clicking sound include a faulty battery, a loose ground connection, and a poor electrical connection. These are all possible solutions to the problem, and they are all easy to perform.