Car will not start. Headlights are bright and solenoid clicks away when trying to start.

sounds like battery. when a car battery dies it is dead wasting time trying to recharge it.. Turn headlights on bright, turn heater blower motor on high watch lights, do the stay bright or start dimming. Try to start car with lights on are the going dim. If the headlights do not remain bright while starting car it is battery.

ADDED: The question: ''Do the headlights dim?'' when you try to start the car _answers_ whether it is the battery or not. If the headlights _do not_ dim when you try to start, then it is _not_ the battery. If the headlights _do_ dim, then the battery is not charged enough, or dead. // A slightly lower amperage battery should start your car if it is _fully_ charged. // The ''dim'' headlights (or not) answers your question.
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Andrew's advice is correct. // If your lights do _not_ dim, and you are definitely hearing a ''click'', then it is likely a bad starter solenoid. Nowadays most mechanics will replace the entire starter _if_ the solenoid is attached to the starter; (they usually are). However, if you are DIY type, you can save lots $$$ by only replacing the solenoid itself.

Check the battery like this:
Turn on the headlights, then try to start the car.
If the headlights do not dim or go out, then the battery is likely ok.
Check that the battery cable plus post, goes to the starter, Minus post to a good ground, like the engine.
If wiring is ok, then look at the starter solenoid for a good connection.
Problem is most likely the Solenoid or starting relay, whichever the car uses.
Hope this helps.

1, Find the negative ground connection. clean it and reattach.

2. Headlights don't blow out like home lightbulbs, they start to die, they start to get dim. If yu are working with a two bulb system (one only comes on when you put high beams on) possibly the regular bulb is dimming because it is being used most.

3 try cleaning the globe to the headlight. Check to see if out of adustment. park car about 10-12 feet away form a blank wall. Turn lights on dim. Check to see if the "spot" created by the light is equal on both side. Older cars can lose their headlight "reach" making the bulb APPEAR to be dim when really, they need to be adusted.
it is very easy to adjust headlights.

With no further info, that's the best I can offer.

With out knowing more of your symptoms it is hard to say. Turn on your head lights for a second and make sure they are nice and bright, This tells you two things, you have power in you battery and you have a good connection to the car. Next with the headlights turned on try starting the car,have someone watch the headlights to see if they dim when the car tries to crank. If the headlight intensity does not change and you don't hear an audible clicking sound coming from under the hood check to see that the shifter is in park or clutch is fully depressed. If that is ok you are likely looking at a ignition switch problem or the starter itself is bad. Can you tell me if the dash lights up or if you hear the car go click when you try to start it?

The starter will click like that when there isn't enough juice in the battery to turn the car over. Try jump-starting it, take the cables off the car right after it starts. Turn on the headlights right away. If the lights are dim or go dim after 5 minutes, then you need a new alternator. If the lights stay bright, drive it around for about 10 mins. Turn the car off and try to start it again. If it clicks again, you need a new battery. If it starts up, you're good to go - you must have just left something on and drained the battery.

Try this:

Turn ON headlights and try to crank...

1. Headlights turn off completely means that the battery terminals need cleaning. Remove cables and clean clamps and posts.
2. Headlights have a noticable dimming means that the starter needs to be replaced.
3. No change in brightness. The headlights stay on, meand the starter solenoid needs replacing.

The radio will work even with a dying or discharged battery.

First, be sure to check all of your fuses in the engine compartment.

A full battery will keep the headlights bright with the engine off. With a dying or discharged battery, the headlights will be noticeably dim.

When you turn the key to crank the engine, does the starter try to turn or make a fast clicking? If so, the battery if low or dying. If it makes a slow click then stops, then it's REALLY dying.

If you don't have a battery charger, go to Walmart and get some jumper cables. Hook up a friend's car to yours. If it starts, then the battery was low, either from a bad battery or a bad alternator.

If it doesn't, you have electrical problems, possibly a bad starter or starter solenoid.

Is your charger working? Try jump starting it.