Starter solenoid makes clicking sound but does not engage starter motor

Starter soups but doesn't engage. Clicking sound: you hear it spinning with a click sound before it starts spinning. No grinding sound. The mechanism to engage the fly wheel could be faulty, probably it is seized, or battery doesn't have enough power to make the solenoid fully pull mechanism (check battery amps charge if low. You may need to look at the starter as someone turns the motor over and make sure it's engaging all the way to fly wheel.
Sometimes you may need to Shem or file down where the two bolts go into the starter too get it far enough into the starter casing to get it to engage.
Walld"

Sounds like the solenoid that pushes the starter gear to the engine... ? Does sound like a starter provided you've checked the battery and all cables are good, corrosion free on the posts and connections tight. Tapping on it with the wrench probably un-siezed it for that start...? Just a guess.

I’m happy to help further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jason_60e0f57ba319f3f6

• Okay, a clicking sound is the solenoid engaging the starter drive gear but the starting motor is not turning over. First possible is low battery. Second is bad or dirty connection, usually battery terminal. Good enough to energize solenoid but not enough amps to spin starter. Third is a bad starter motor, usually a brush corroded, worn or stuck.
• Lift the hood and look at the battery terminals. if they are clean and tight, check the battery for charge. I usually hook a booster on and try cranking the engine over. ZIf it works, charge or replace the battery.
• If it didn't crank, Take a jumper cable and connect the one end to the battery positive. Touch the other end to the starter motor terminal. Motor should turn over, if not, replace the starter.

Highly Likely to be the solenoid.
But first make sure the battery is fully charged.
Kev
Remobilise Ltd

Sounds like either the starter motor has jammed or your battery is down on power so unable to engage the starter motor solenoid. Cures: 1.Hit starter motor with hammer using short sharp shocks - this often frees the stuck starter motor engaging cog. 2.Put car in gear and attempt to rock the car back and forth. 3. Jump start using stronger battery. 4.Charge battery - you might want to check that your alternator is charging the battery, the easiest way is to use a multimeter on the 0-20volt DC scale and see that the voltage is higher than the battery in a non running state. You should see a reading of around 13-14 volts. Obviously you will need the motor running to check this.Lastly if possible try bump starting.

it sounds more like a battery terminal that has corroded , or is just loose.
Check the battery terminals to be sure they are in good shape.
If they are , then I am thinking starter too.... like the click you are describing is the solenoid and the contacts are just not making contact to engage the starter motor...

NORMALLY THAT CLICKING NOISE MEANS THAT YOUR BATTERY DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH JUICE TO ENGAGE THE STARTER,THE CLICKING IS YOUR STARTER SOLENOID TRYING TO MAKE A CONNECTION SO POWER CAN GET TO THE STARTER MOTOR,IT COULD ALSO BE A BAD SOLENOID AND OR STARTER.
IF IT TURNS OUT TO BE THE BATTERY YOU MAY HAVE A SHORT SOMEWHERE DRAINING THE BATTERY WHILE IT SITS OR YOUR ALTERNATOR IS BAD AND NOT KEEPING IT CHARGED SUFFICIENTLY.

Hello LostLynne.
The most common issue is a bad contact in the starter solenoid.
This solenoid is part of the starter assembly and makes the high amperage battery to starter connection
When you hear the click the solenoid is activating but not completing the battery to starter contact.
If this is an original starter or been on for a long time I would suggest changing the starter assembly.
Also in your under hood fuse/relay panel there is a smaller relay that activates the starter solenoid that should be checked before replacing the starter. Although less common for that to happen it does occasionally cause a problem. Easy to replace too.
If you have further questions please ask me.

KL

1st, have your battery check to make sure it is fully charged.

Next, check the cable connections on the battery to ensure the connections are clean and securely tightened.

If everything is okay, then you most likely have a bad starter solenoid (relay).

A starter solenoid (or starter relay) is the part of an automobile which relays a large electric current to the starter motor, which in turn sets the engine in motion. In many vehicles the solenoid also engages the starter pinion with the ring gear of the engine.

If a starter solenoid receives insufficient power from the battery, it will fail to start the motor, and may produce a rapid clicking or clacking sound. The lack of power can be caused by a low or dead battery, by corroded or loose connections in the battery cable, or by a damaged positive (red) cable from the battery. Any of these problems will result in some, but not enough, power being sent to the solenoid, which means that the solenoid will simply make a clicking sound, rather than setting the starter motor in motion.

To reduce the likelihood of starter solenoid failure, the battery connections should be cleaned and tightened at every oil change. Starter solenoid problems can be diagnosed by a mechanic at a service center by a test of the car's starting, charging and battery systems.

You either have dirty/loose battery cables, or more likely a battery that is in need of replacement. Check the battery connections 1st, if ok, bring the car to a parts store for a free check of the battery and charging system. I believe you will find that the battery is at the end of its life.