Won t start, just a click

have somebody hit the starter with a hammer while somebody turns the key on the start position as he holds the key keep hitting the starter not at the solenoid at the round part if it tries to start then you have a defective starter now if you have a alarm system you are going to have tutoo isolate the starter to do a different test.

You'll either need to get it towed to a shop, or buy a used shop manual to get the testing procedures.
When you turn the key switch to start, there is a dash integral module, a starter relay, and the PCM in the circuit before power gets to the starter motor.
The anti-theft system is supposed to keep the engine from being cranked and started. So you get nothing when you turn the key if the security system is active. No click.

It is probably your cellinoid try jumping your starter

sounds like a bad solenoid on the starter. replace the 1999 starter(Its old).

one single click any time you turn the key usually indicates a bad solenoid on the starter. A new starter will typical get you going.

A series of rapid clicks when you try to start usually indicates a weak battery. There could also be a bad connection at the terminals on the battery or even a poor connection at the starter.

If you get a single click and everything goes dead for a couple of seconds than you definitely have a bad connection at the battery.

Let me know what you find or if you have any questions.

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_d728a59f986299fa

I would start with the solenoid as usually when they go bad all you hear is a click when you go to engage the starter and then the starter doesn't rollover the engine.

Define - It attempts to turn over but won't catch and run ???? When you turn the key to start does the starter engage an spin the engine ? This would be a crank no start condition . If the starter doesn't engage an spin the engine this would be a no crank no start condition . Sorry to ask but i have only been an auto tech for thirty years an have heard a lot of different discriptions for these simple actions . crank no start or no crank no start . Very different diagnostic procedures . So when you turn the key to start , does the starter engage an spin the engine ,but won't start an run ?

The problem is that your battery is extremely low. The repeated clicking sound is your starter relay trying to engage, then releasing again when the starter takes the remaining voltage available to try to turn. When the relay disengages, the starter can no longer take any voltage at all, so the relay again engages and the process starts over. This results in "CLICK, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK...." There simply is not enough power available to operate both the relay and the starter.

Your alarm system doesn't have enough voltage to function properly. It "thinks" that someone is trying to steal your car or is messing with your battery cables. It doesn't know the difference between low voltage from a dead battery and low voltage from somebody disconnecting wires. It is simply responding to the low voltage condition as it is designed to do. Fix the voltage problem and you will fix your security system. No need to reset anything.

Jump-start the car or replace the battery and get your charging system checked to make sure everything is functioning properly. It is possible that the battery is good but you have a bad alternator and the battery is low because it is not being charged.

This sounds like there is a dead spot in your starter. The easiest way to resolve this issue is to replace your starter. Many times, if you take a lot of short-distance trips over the life of your car, the wiring inside the starter itself will wear (short trips means starting it more often, causing a lot of wear over time). Then the inner wiring of the starter wears too much, it forms a "dead spot" -- when the starter is stopped at a very specific spot i will not form the magnetic force needed to torn the starter motor. This is a common issue which can be dealt with for a time if you have to save the money to replace the starter. Tapping the starter, or arcing it with a screwdriver makes the inner workings of the starter jump a little, allowing it to move out of the dead spot and kick over as normal, but it is only a temporary fix. Unless you refurbish electronics for a living, it is very unlikely that you will be able to repair the starter on your own, and such a repair takes some time, so you are better off to replace it than try to repair the starter itself.
As long as the starter does not happen to stop in the dead spot, it will work as normal ... but in time the dead spot will spread, causing the issue to worsen. You can keep forcing it to turn with the two tricks you used until you have had the opportunity to earn the money to replace the starter (or until you have a day off to get the repairs done) .. but over time this can cause more damage to other parts of the car, so I recommend replacing the starter as soon as you can.

If it is just clicking, then the battery is too weak. Charge the battery or jumpstart.

If the battery is full charged and when you turn the key, the starter is just clicking again, possibly bad starter or bad battery cable ground. Check your grounds from the battery.

If it is a new starter and it is clicking like it won't engage, then it is not shimmed properly.

If you figure out what is wrong and need further help, please reply to this post with your questions.

Thanks! Oh, please post your engine size, year of car or truck and model. This helps A LOT!!!