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Clicking under hood. car won't start

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Posted by: EMB1528

I have a 2000 LS8 and it just died the other day and wouldnt start. When I open the door the lights and chime flicker. When I try turning the key, the needles jump and there is a clicking noise coming from the engine compartment fuse box. I tried jumping the car but the same thing happens and no start. Any help?

Posted by: CTX-SLPR

sounds like starter solenoid

Posted by: EMB1528

I banged on the starter and still got nothing. The clicking is coming from the AJB fuse box. Not the starter. Doesn't the solenoid sit right on the starter? And would a solenoid just go bad at a given point?

Posted by: SoonerLS

There's a starter relay in the Power Distribution Box (on the leading edge of the passenger side wheel well, behind the headlight). I had it go bad on my '04 LS; the car would act like it was starting normally, except for the fact that nothing happened when you turned the key to Start.

It's listed in the Owner's Guide; you can find it in PDF form in the Tech Articles ( http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/tech/ ) if you don't have one. If your year isn't listed, just choose the closest year.

Posted by: NYC LS8

Have your battery tested.

Posted by: EMB1528

Well then what is causing all the instruments and electricals to flicker and go crazy?... Would a COP relay cause any of this? It felt like the clicking was coming from that relay?...

Posted by: T_Man

Sounds to me that you just have a weak/dead battery and that the jump start didn't take because of bad jumper cables/weak donor battery.

Check the battery cables and connections in the trunk and then try to jump it again with either better cables or a new battery.

Posted by: NYC LS8

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMB1528

Well then what is causing all the instruments and electricals to flicker and go crazy?...

The lights run off the battery until the car is started.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMB1528

Would a COP relay cause any of this? It felt like the clicking was coming from that relay?...

No. It's clicking because it's getting just enough juice to close the circuit.

The battery is used to help start the car. Take it out and bring it to AutoZone and they'll test it for free. Replace if necessary.