Hi all I have a 120y with an A12, and went to start it this morning and all it does is go "CLICK CLICK". I know it's not the starter motor as I had this same problem not long ago and so I put on another one. It's got a fairly new battery and all the dash lights work fine. Just want to know what should I be looking at to fix this problem.
I'm thinking it could be a poor earth to the starter or the ignition barrel.
Please I need some suggestions or if this has happened to someone else, I would like to know.
As this is my daily I need it back on the road a.s.a.p.
Cheers, James.

Hey Nismo, Check your contacts, in particular the battery terminals. Give them a good wiggle and tighten the collars right up so you know the terminals are gripped tight. Try that?

Process of elimination, start with the easy stuff.

Hey there mate,
1st off, How old is the starter?
If u hit the key and tap the starter does it start to crank?

2nd..do u hav full 12V on the start wire? (Check for volt drop on start wire)
Generally a clicking sound is caused by lack of voltage to the starter.
Way to overcome this is to put a relay on the start wire if the supply is not great enough.
Could also be solenoid in starter as the aftermarket units can fail.

if the car is an automatic there is a chance the inhibitor switch, or sensor isnt sending the right messages even when the car is in park or nuetral
push the gear lever up and down rapidly 2 or 3 times and try again

if the car isnt auto maybe it is a good idea to check earths
keep posted!

jason

But if it was the inhibitor. the starter wouldnt click

Sometimes the wire to the starter gets oil on the terminal. Had this happen and we thought it was the solenoid as it had the click click noise took for ages to diagnose as it didn't happen all the time.

Thanks guys I'll pull the battery connections off and give them a good clean up.
and yeah it only does it ocasssionally.
Cheers.

Also check the ballast resistor isn't open.