QuestionHi,
We've had our Concorde for about 7 months now and until recently it was fine. A few times now it will have all the lights, radio, clock working but it will have a clicking sound and will start after holding down on the key for more than 5 seconds. I replaced the a/c clutch relay. I figured that was the problem but it appears it wasn't the solution. I believe the clicking sound is coming from the dash. Which relay in the dash by the driver's door area do I need to replace to fix this?
Thanks!
AnswerHi Laura,
There is nothing in the fuse box behind the dash (accessible by removing the end cap of the dash) that is related to the starter system. There are some relays (horn, door lock/door unlock, external lights) there but I wouldn't expect those to be clicking when you try the starter. If they click when you have the key in the 'run' position then it may be a door lock relay trying to lock a door that it sensese is ajar. That can happen when the door is not tightly enough latched so you would want to move the striker in the door frame in-board a small amount. Notice which door it is by pushing inward from outside the car to see which one stops the clicking. Remove the end cap and listen/touch them to see which one, if any clicks.
If the clicking occurs when you move to the 'start' position, very soft clicking could be the starter motor relay in the underhood power box, but that one would not likely be audible in the cabin if it were clicking. The only loud enough clicking that you would hear in the cabin in the case of delay in starter action would be the starter solenoid switch, located on the starter proper, and it will do that when the battery is getting too weak to turn the starter motor, or the solenoid switch itself is getting flaky, or the starter is getting marginal. So next time you have this clicking, stop trying, open the hood, and have a helper try to start while you try to locate the sound source. Let me know and we'll go from there.
Chances are you have a weak battery or inadequate charging system for the battery so see if things improve if you try jump starting with a known good battery from another car using jumper cables. Or have the battery tested, or if you have a charger try charging it. Look at the date on the battery and see how many years old it is and compare to the warranty life. They usual don't run well beyond the warranty. If you satisfy yourself it is not the battery, and the loud sound is coming from the lower side of the engine (left/driver side) if a 3.5L, (right/passenger side) if a 2.7L, then consider putting in a rebuilt starter (and better yet, remove your starter and find if there is an alternator/starter rebuilder nearby and have them refurbish yours).
Those are my best guesses based on what you have told me.
Roland
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