Dodge Neon Won’t Start Clicking Noise
Dodge Neon won’t start ‘clicking noise’ refers to when the front-wheel drive compact car engine will not activate and begin to work, and a rapid clicking sound is heard. A fast clicking sound usually indicates a weak battery whereas a slow click might point to a bad starter motor. Keep reading to know what causes the clicking sound when your Dodge Neon fails to start.
| Symptom | Cause | Solution |
| Dodge Neon wont start clicking noise | Discharged or faulty battery. | Test battery and recharge or replace as necessary. |
| Battery terminal cables loose or corroded. | Clean and tighten terminal cables. | |
| Faulty alternator. | Test alternator and replace as necessary. |
Weak Battery
We all know a Dodge Neon battery is a container consisting of several cells in which chemical energy is stored and converted into a renewable source of electricity. And in order for the Dodge Neon engine to turn on and the battery to maintain its charge, all of the charging system components must be in good working order.
When a battery loses its charge it cannot activate the starter motor, which needs roughly 150 amps at 12.6volts to switch on. The voltage drop causes the starter motor solenoid to engage and disengage quickly, which is the rapid clicking sound you hear.
If you hear a clicking sound, it means you need to charge the battery or replace it. You could test the battery with an inexpensive multimeter, it should read around 12.6 volts. If you don’t have a multimeter or a battery charger, your local auto parts store will test it and charge it for free. Problem solved.
Weak or loose battery connection
If the battery terminal cables are corroded or loose, it can cause the starter motor clicking sound. It doesn’t mean the battery is discharged or bad, it just means you need to clean or tighten the battery terminals and cables. Check the starter wire contacts too.
You can remove corrosion from the battery cable terminals and clamps with the use of a wire brush or a post and terminal cleaning tool. It’s good to use some baking soda mixed with warm water as the cleaning solution.
Bad alternator
The alternator is a generator that produces an alternating current. It is responsible for generating energy to feed the electrical system and charge the Dodge Neon battery. A bad alternator should cause a check engine light to illuminate.
If you were driving when the alternator went bad, the car would stall. A failing alternator would not charge the car battery sufficiently, and when you attempt to start the vehicle, you might hear the fast clicking sound.
The clicking sound means the battery is dead and needs to be recharged. It also means you need to replace the alternator. Be certain to have your local auto parts store confirm the alternator is faulty before you buy a new one.
Summary
What if you hear a single loud click instead of a rapid clicking noise? If you get a single but fairly loud click when you turn the ignition key to “start” but the starter doesn’t fire crank and fire the motor, it means you might have a bad starter motor solenoid.
It’s important to know the difference between clicking noises so you don’t do repair work that isn’t necessary. Btw, your local auto parts store can bench test the starter too. It is highly recommended that you download the free Dodge Neon Factory Service Manual before working on your car.
Model, Year Application
This Dodge Neon no-start/clicking sound information is applicable to the following year, model compact 4-door sedan.| Year | Vehicle | Trim | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Dodge Neon | R/T, ES, SE | 1.6L, 2.0L |
| 2001 | Dodge Neon | R/T, ES, SE | 1.6L, 2.0L |
| 2002 | Dodge Neon | R/T, ES, SE | 1.6L, 2.0L |
| 2003 | Dodge Neon | SRT4, SX, R/T | 1.6L, 2.0L, 2.4L |
| 2004 | Dodge Neon | SRT4, SX, CE R/T | 1.6L, 2.0L, 2.4L |
| 2005 | Dodge Neon | SRT4, SX, CE, R/T | 1.6L, 2.0L, 2.4L |
