Accord won't start - just rapid clicking from driver footwell

[Laconian]

When I try to turn on the Accord, I get a CLICK from the starter solenoid and a rapid KTCHTHCHTHCHTHCHTHCH sound from the driver's side footwell (or thereabouts.) The KTCHTCHTHCHTHCH sound persists for as long as i have the key turned.

I also noticed the car was a little slow to start yesterday. Any ideas?

[Laconian]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0nnvZrxLx4

[Secret Chimp]

Make sure the battery terminals aren't loose or corroded, etc. Sometimes a relay that isn't getting enough voltage will make a weird clicky buzzy noise.

[Laconian]

Honda service guy thinks dead battery. He said that if the battery can't muster a threshold voltage, then it will refuse to engage the starter motor.

[Secret Chimp]

Honda service guy thinks dead battery. He said that if the battery can't muster a threshold voltage, then it will refuse to engage the starter motor.

That would be my guess if the battery connections are visually OK combined with it being slow to start the other day. When I first wired up my fog lights, I accidentally powered the relay on the dimmer side of my interior light switch so it wasn't getting full power. I tried to turn them on, and I got a similar buzzing noise from the fog light relay. It was getting 10.5 volts or something and wouldn't click over. It's strange that it died so quickly though, even in Ohio winters my batteries would always chug slightly slower over the course of weeks before I had to get a new one.

[Laconian]

The Honda guy said that it tries to be SMRT and will refuse to crank if the power isn't there. I was expecting it to simply chug more slowly, too.

[Laconian]

We'll see. Time to use that super mass transit system. 35 minutes for a 5 mile commute, whoo. If only my back wasn't messed up right now, I'd take my bike instead. :\

[Laconian]

Oh ho, and the car was stumbling a bit at a stoplight yesterday. Now I remembers.

[Cookie Monster]

You can't push the car down the driveway and bump start it?

[Laconian]

You can't push the car down the driveway and bump start it?

If that failed, the car would obstruct the street. And it is a steep hill.

[Raza]

I also noticed the car was a little slow to start yesterday. Any ideas?

www.autotrader.com

[Mustangfan2003]

www.autotrader.com

Or this
http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/mustang/

[hotrodalex]

You can't push the car down the driveway and bump start it?

It's a stick?

[Cookie Monster]

It's a stick?

Yes.

Lucky bastard.

[Mustangfan2003]

you can consider real horsepower

[hotrodalex]

It's probably the battery, but also check all the cables going to and from it. Corroded cables are pretty common, at least out here.

[BENZ BOY15]

You sure have some interesting animals. Pepper the border collie really does not like brooms, leaf blowers and shovels....

What year and kind is your Accord? Accords are the best!

[Laconian]

@_@

Once the Miata returned to the garage, we were able to jump start the car. The dome light was left on.

[Laconian]

You sure have some interesting animals. Pepper the border collie really does not like brooms, leaf blowers and shovels....

What year and kind is your Accord? Accords are the best!

Pepper belongs to my friend's parents. She is neurotic!

The Accord is a 2006 EX-L 4cyl 5MT.

[BENZ BOY15]

@_@

Once the Miata returned to the garage, we were able to jump start the car. The dome light was left on.

FAIL

That's something I would do! Jeez Laconian, I didn't think you would do that. 

[Laconian]

In my defense, I couldn't troubleshoot very effectively without having another car to jump off of. The dome light was really dim.

[Raza]

Wait, you drive the Accord?  I thought it was your boyfriend's?

[Laconian]

Wait, you drive the Accord?  I thought it was your boyfriend's?

We swapped cars until my back recovers.

[93JC]

Gaaaaaaaay! Drive the Miata!

[Northlands]

http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp;jsessionid=MB0B1b3wGQKFh5kyQRyjmfJGngy4QnYhGSgdd4LVQp2xYVshTW2p!-995331729?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441888871&bmUID=1283552321125

Always keep one of these in the trunk/garage. You just never know when you'll need it. 

[BENZ BOY15]

In my defense, I couldn't troubleshoot very effectively without having another car to jump off of. The dome light was really dim.

I'm not deriding you at all....just poking fun. I probably would have done the same thing....Do you and your boyfriend like the Accord?

[AutobahnSHO]

My kids left the van door open this last week and killed it. Of course it's on the side of the garage where I had to back the Subie out and almost hit the van with it to get it close enough for the cables.

Be wary, running the battery totally down like that makes the alternator work overtime to get it back up to charge (if it's weak already it might kill the alt,)  and the battery might be on its way out later too. 

[giant_mtb]

Yeah, on a totally dead battery like that, you should leave the cables on for at least a few extra minutes once you get the car jump-started just so the alternator doesn't overwork itself and to insure it's gettin' enough juice.

[r0tor]

The Honda guy said that it tries to be SMRT and will refuse to crank if the power isn't there. I was expecting it to simply chug more slowly, too.

I have a feeling you don't want to know what that sound actually was

[Laconian]

I have a feeling you don't want to know what that sound actually was

A mechanical relay?