Tacoma Won't Start - rapid clicking noise 

Thanks for the video, the clicking noise is exactly what I was happening to my truck but, this video did not concluded the fixing., I fixed my car thanks to the positive comments here on this video comments. Hints helped me fixed my car. All I had to do was disconnect all connectors and reconnect them back in place, that includes the battery connectors, and plus scrape a little the surrounding of the battery terminals and scrape the inside of the connectors of it. Turn off all lightning of your car, make sure the doors are closed , get the car an electrical jumper and what a minute , start the engine and it works. I needed a jumper but, do as I did in first place regarding the connectors. Reconnections.. I thought It was the starter but not at all. I hope my Comments help you as well..

I have a '17 Taco. Yesterday mine started making the same exact noise. I've had lots of batteries go bad, but no vehicle has ever made that noise so I had no idea what was wrong. This video and the comments were super helpful. Dropped a new battery today and it fired right up. Apparently the internet is not just for porn.

amazing how many have same issue. ditto to all of the posts, tomorrow off for new battery. Thanks for posting Mike C and thanks to everyone's comments

This is happening to me right now. That’s why I’m here in RU-vid 🤣 thanks for the video man. Gonna go get a new battery

Thanks for the video! My 2021 Taco with 41k miles was doing this in the morning. Swapped out the battery and fired right up!

Thank you for showing us your dilemma! A trick is to make sure your headlights and running lights are off while try to start it, so more juice is getting to the starter and not drawn by lights

Great video! Same thing just happened to my 2015 RAV4 and a new battery fixed it right up! Thanks!

Mike, thank you for this video! Had this exact issue with the same noise happen this morning. I searched around online but couldn't find any answers except "You should know what the issue is", a new battery fixed it instantly.

My 2018 taco just did the same thing! 124km. I’ll go and get a new battery!! Thanks for the video cuz it would have been 200 for towing plus diagnostics!!

Just had this issue with my 2018 Tacoma TRD Sport, replaced the battery and it seems to be working good again. Thanks!

2018 Tacoma with 24k miles just experienced the same issue, and replacing the battery did the trick. Given how relatively new and low mileage it is I was skeptical that it could be the battery….until I read this string. Thanks!

Exact same thing happened to me in CVS parking lot. My friend came and fixed the issue. It wasn't the battery or Toyota, it was just loosened terminal. I own a tacoma and my tacoma loves potholes. After too many potholes, battery terminals got loosened. All you gotta do is tightened them. My friend saved me 200bucks by me not needing to buy new battery.

Beautiful Taco

2019 Tacoma did this on the first cold night of fall. Battery replacement did the trick. Thanks.

My 2013 Toyota have started to have issue starting up as well but it not making that noise at the moment but this video is informative so thanks for the head up if my get any worst I can be aware of this issue.

Same thing happening to my 2018 ,40k mile,2 Hours ago.Happy to see this video and all the comments because everybody said is the starter.

Always check your battery! I have a 2017 tacoma and all I needed was to get a new battery !

I work at in alternator and starter rebuilding shop if a starter solenoid is bad you'll hear one single click each time you turn the key when you hear multiple clicks that's a sign of low or dead battery also when a battery gets too bad off it will not hold charge so jump starting your vehicle doesn't always work

Thanks everybody who contributed to these comments. I just had this problem today far from home found this video got myself a new battery all good problem solved. My battery was almost 6 yrs old.

This happened to me yesterday! It freaked me out! Thanks to this video, went and bought a new battery. Problem solved!

My Toyota Sienna is doing the same. Initially it would crank after the battery was charged, but not it won't do anything other than make that clicking sound and the dashboard lights flicker like a strobe. I'm puzzled because we had the battery checked and it's good. What could be causing the vehicle to do this?

You rock! Just saved me a tow and shop visit.

Had this happen on my 2021 Tacoma TRD Off-Road today. I've heard a lot of vehicles fail to turn over, but I've never heard any sound like this. Thanks to the comments here I went to O'Reilly's and bought a replacement battery then swapped it out and it started right up and has been running fine since. The old battery had no brand markings on it so I'm pretty sure it is the original factory battery which is now 3+ years old at this point. Factory batteries probably aren't the best quality to begin with so it makes sense that it would need to be changed out at this point. The new Super Start battery that I put in has a 3 year warranty on it so should at least get me to Dec 2026 at this point :)

127000 miles on mine 2014. I travel from Illinois to the west coast every year never had a problem until today. Wont turn over and just clicking had a it jumped ans it worked great! Battery tested looks to be a bad battery. So lets go get a new one

This happened to me twice while out of town. The first time it would not do nothing when I pushed the start button then it slowly started cranking over and ran but felt gut less. After stopping again it would not start, it was trying but barely, I looked the truck over and nothing was loose or I couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. So after two more tries it barely started up. I made it home but the truck felt weak. I got home put an alternator sensor on it alternator voltage showed good 13.4v, battery voltage showed 12.5v with engine shut. I measured battery on start up and it showed 9 to 8volts draw then went back up to 13.4. I have my truck on a battery maintainer all the time as soon as I get home I put it on. I never had a problem in 5 years so I assumed the battery could not hold the cranking amps. I bought a new battery that is better for off road driving with 760 cold cranking amps, compared to the stock battery 538amp. I am hoping this was the issue I will be driving cross country next month and hope this doesn't happen again.

Keep us updated. Also think its the battery

My 4runner did the same thing before, the battery was completely dead and it had to be left charging for about 20-25 minutes, it started right up after a good charge.

This just happened to me today with my TRD Pro 2018 TACO, im at Costco right now to buy a new battery....fingers crossed I have a quick fix like you did.

Thx for the vid & comments. Just happened to me 15 Tacoma 37k with a rapid clicking sound...will get new battery tomorrow!!

Sounds like you need a new battery ... doesn’t really have too much to do with how many miles you have. If it’s the OEM/Original battery it wouldn’t be unreasonable to need a new one at this point. The clicking is most likely the starter solenoid.

sometimes when the battery is totally dead a jump start won`t work at all

Mike thank you for showing this video. Mine is 2015 double cab and started doing this yesterday. I had it towed at a toyota dealership but as of now they are still working on trying to figure out what is wrong with it. They’ve checked the battery, alternator, starte and they’re all working fine. How did yours get fixed and what is wrong with it?

Guys, I got my batter tested and the mechanic was saying it had power. Do I replace the battery or get the starter looked at?

following in case i have to deal with this

I also thought maybe it's the crankshaft position sensor hopefully these ideas help you good luck

Super normal for a battery to die within the time you've owned it, and yes Toyota is known for weak stock batteries but normal. Also normal for a bad battery to be able to power radio, etc. Get a new battery and if you want longer lasting spring for an AGM

I can agree 100% it was the battery, literally just replaced mine at 79000 miles during my move to my house on a 6 in half hour drive. Parked to fill my tank, gave me the same issue

I had exact problem with my 2019 Tacoma. Replaced battery and all is good.

I have the same issue. 2015 Corrola but I replaced the battery last year.

Keep us posted please. RIP the taco

Factory batteries are lower cranking amps and often times fail sooner than 36 months.

I traded my 2012 Tacoma with 60k for my 2018, still had the original battery. Battery should last much longer

The 4Runner is made in Japan. The Tacoma is made in San Antonio. There's your problem.

It is the battery. Your jumper cable does not look like a low gauge type to be jumped. Just change the battery.

2018 Tacoma just hit 44K miles and this happened to me today. Going to go buy a battery today

Just replaced my battery in my 2017 TRD Off-road. Some times they just wear out.

I have an 04 that had the exact same problem. Got lucky and just cleaned my terminals and cables. Sounds dumb but it can be some thing as simple as that.

Mmm I hope Tacoma will be back operational soon. I would have thought it’s just battery: maybe Scotty Kilmer has the answer?

Battery lasted about 2 years in my 2017 Tacoma. That’s what it’s sounding like to me. If a battery is really low on power, you may need to keep the jumping battery connected a while to be able to start.

Hey guys, guess we all had this issue. Well this happened to me today 31-Mar-2024. And I called a friend to help me charge my battery, and after that went directly to O'Reilly to check my battery life and...my surprised was that the alternator was not charging the Battery, Voltage was 13.5, ( High Beams on), needs to be 14.5~ they also charged my battery. I can be driving with the battery but eventually will fail and wont start, so probably needs an alternatoe replacement. I got a 2021 🌮 Result : Voltage Reg Failed.

Same thing just happened to the wife. She left the keys on with fan running for a while. Jumped it and plugged it to a Trickle charger when we got home.

Happening to me today in my 16 Tacoma 102,000 miles. Truckasaurus Rexxxie has been my dream vehicle 🤞

Same thing just happened to me,Thought battery was dead.Had to jump it same click sound, Clean the terminals on the battery.bang first push of the button started right up.

Yup, my 2016 Tacoma is doing the same exact thing with about 45k miles on it. Thanks. LOL!

2016 Highlander... just happened tonight. Rear hatch stuck open yesterday. Praying it's just a battery.

Make sure the battery cables have a good connection. Solenoid/starter would be my next guess.

Time to trade it in... kidding time for a new battery.

Had same issue, replaced battery, solved.

Damn that sucks...do you still have warranty on it? This really is disappointing...I have the exact same truck...now after seeing this video I'm just waiting for mine to not start too...good luck to you...

This is going with mine Tacoma 2020 but you hear some leaking but nothing is leaking. Not sure what is now I thought it was the battery first. I only have 22k mines on it.

battery definetly the battery.., have you notice when you push the start button not once but twice while not pushing the break peddle down .. You should get a check charging system warning message that flashes on and off. This is doing a check on everything and goes off when started. Try this in your Tacoma..

Just happened to my 2019 trd pro . I’m gonna look through you channel but any answers to what’s happened to the truck?

I had fender bender, got hit rear bumper parked, dropped my truck off to be repaired in December, did not get it back to 8 weeks later in February, since then I have trouble starting it, sometimes I get in and hit the push start and it does a click then it delays start, turns over , and it keeps on starting when warm, thought it was the battery, replaced it, still getting problems starting , I try to start it and it just clicks then nothing like there is a short or something, then after a few minutes it starts,

I had this happen to my Tacoma I have a 2008 with 365k with a new motor in it. The battery hasn’t been replaced since 2008😅being 2024 it’s lasted more than enough

I had the exact same issue happen to me yesterday. I have a 2018 Taco with less than 12K miles. I tried to jump it with my Honda Pilot to no avail. It looks like I need to get a battery. Sadly, it was working a few days ago so am wondering what drove the battery to discharge? All lights etc were off.

My 2009 has corrosion all around the battery and still starts everytime. Seems the 3rd gen Tacoma isn't really a Toyota the more gadgets that go down its throat.

I agree the stock batteries aren't the greatest; I had to replace mine on my 2016 TRD Sport when it was only 2.5 years old. However in your case Mike this sounds like the starter is the problem.

My 2018 tacoma had similar issue. It was indeed bad battery. 2 year old original battery did not last very long..

Use volt meter and text battery sounds like it’s real dead or put battery charger on it over night see if that works

I have the same issue with my Toyota 2015. I was at school and had to have a jump. Got a jump, bing bang boom started up. However, this morning wont start. GRRR

yesterday i hopped inside my 2016 tundra..started up no problem..its been near 100 so i had the AC running ...took the truck on over to a local store..went in for 20 mins..came out..nothing!..no lights no nothing..called my bro for a jump..came and tried to jump..my truck made that exact rapid clicking sound..called AAA..the AAA guy hooked up a jump starter thingy..then i was able to turn the truck over..thing is..the battery reads 12.55 volts the next day!!...there were ZERO warnings of a bad battery..so sluggish starting...no lights dimming..just out of the blue dead (but still reading 12.55 volts.) also i cleaned the posts and got new terminals..same result..no lights on the dash no nothing....so vexxing

Stock Tacoma batteries are awful, so many people have had replacements within 1-3 years. I haven't hit that point yet but I won't be going OEM for the next battery. Gotta do my research. Your Tacoma isn't unreliable suddenly, batteries go bad (some faster than others) and that's just life with a vehicle no matter who builds it

My 2018 stock battery only lasted 2.5 yrs.

Disconnect the terminals from the battery then hook them up to the jumper car

Happened to me yesterday. Took my battery to Autozone and they checked it and it said it was good and they recharged it and still didn’t want to turn on after. So y’all saying I need a new battery? 👍🏽

Same problem. The truck was due for a battery change and after replacement the problem is fixed

If you have that rapid gun fire clicking it is almost guaranteed because of a lose terminal or battery needs to be charged and if you can not get a complete full charge, time for a new battery! 😉

My wife’s 2019 Tacoma did that today I just had replaced battery 2 months ago spent 200$ on it had it tested at auto zone and it showed up starter was the problem so don’t all ways think it’s just the battery

Did your check engine light go on b/c of this?

Had this happen on my 2023 after letting it sit for a few weeks. Put a charger on it and it started up after an hour.

Dead battery. 2012 to current Tacomas have a different battery mfg. than 2011 and earlier Tacomas. If you're still under warranty Toyota should replace it. 2005-2011 Tacoma batteries usually lasted 6-7 years. New ones only last 2-3 years.

My did that clicking sound and after a jump, went and got battery tested. The battery show good along alt & starter. Next day won’t start. It showed 456 of 500 CCA - Good. Idk about mine.

Are you pushing the start button properly?

Should have no problems this is a brand new truck wth

Why do these vehicles not give you a warning the battery is starting to fail?

Battery...... No need to bash Toyota, they don't make their batteries. Sounds like a shorted cell. You say it's unacceptable. I'd say go trade the truck in. You'll be wishing you've hadn't once you see the quality and reliability of other manufacturers. I'd rather have to just replace a battery than have all sorts of electrical issues, trans issues, engine issues ect.....

Rapid clicking is ur starter motor clicking cuz battery low.

Just had same issue, bought a new battery. Old one was 6 yrs old

I’ve had this same issue with my 2018 Tacoma. It’s a battery eater!! I have 95,000 miles on it and just put the fourth battery in it. Every battery has failed in a year or less. I’ve been getting new ones under warranty but it’s still a inconvenience. Anyone else having early battery failure?

I'm having this issue...my battery is not bad, I replaced the alternator and it's still dying after being shut off for a few hours. I'm starting to think it's the starter/solenoid. Following this if anyone comes up with a fix.

new battery sounds to me is needed. about 150 dollars at local auto parts store

Just came here to say I had this exact issue and it was the battery.

Im having this with my 2012 accord v6.

I’ve recently heard that you should never start a car after hooking up your cables to the car you want to jump! It’s always better to just connect the cables and then start your car. You can do electrical damage to both cars. You can have one car running and see if that charges up your other battery for 5-10 minutes.

Sir. When the batteries in your flashlight burn out, do you post a video saying you're "very disappointed" that your Maglite doesn't shine? If your TV remote no longer changes the channels are you hatin' on your 40 inch Samsung? Or your brand spankin new iPhone dies do you demand a new one? Batteries are batteries sir, and batteries get low, and the lower it gets the quicker it discharges (runs outta juice). Cars use alternators which spin and collect power to recompense the battery. Think of the old bikes with a headlight; they had a small wheel resting on the front tire and as you peddled it produced juice that kept the light on. But, alternators (some of the old or imports called them a more common sensical "generator") only work when there's a load on the engine (i.e. when its running). The clicking was a starter motor, which keeps or borrows a bit of juice to turn the motor over till the engine turns on, then the martyred starter motor steps aside. To run it dry for short bursts won't hurt it, but its like running the garbage disposer without water running. Pull the battery, clean out the battery tray, and use a baking soda/water mixture to clean the clamps and I also like to gently rough the insides of the clamps with sandpaper, steel wool or whatever - just a tiny bit though. Then clean the top of the battery if needed, clean the posts and rough the a tiny bit again. That part is optional but in my opinion makes for a better connection. DO NOT TOUCH EITHER POST WHILE ALSO TOUCHING THE OTHER. BAD JUJU. now, first get a reading of the battery's juice level with a battery tester and observe that battery's website or call the maker and make a note of what that battery SHOULD be at rest, no load, what it should read when you turn the ignition over (cranking over) and finally what they recommend it should read when it is in a running engine. For later reference make a note of the battery's date sticker or engraving. Its found usually on top but could be on either of the other 4 sides; its unlikely to be on the bottom. Ive never seen one on the bottom. If the battery is low in light of the recommended reading, charge it with a battery charger - you can buy them at any auto parts store, Wal-Mart, on-line or maybe even a neighbor. If you buy one. I HIGHLY recommend, and I mean as highly as I can, that you buy one with a "TRICKLE DOWN" feature. Some will be fully automatic and those are also cool but costly. A trickle charger is my preference because it charges more slowly and some even have a feature to charge a battery and over time either keeps a low trickle charge going if the battery is in storage. If that doesn't work go buy a new one. But I hate to see you get annoyed or disappointed with Toyota. They don't build batteries. I suppose there could be a draw somewhere but I really doubt it.

Same problem afer prolonged period of inactivity. Charging the battery did not help. Came for a solution or at least identification of problem. WTF- no help here.

I am having the same issue, same noise. I am at 25,000 miles.

So what’s the verdict on it ?

Change the battery. Don't jump start. That can do more damages to the vehicle. The battery does not have enough energy.

So I literally just had this issue and it refused to happen when the shop I took it to tested it for a day.