If a 1993 Mercury Topaz won't start but the battery is fine and a small round device next to the battery makes a clicking sound what is it?

Answer 1

If the object that clicks has the positive lead from the battery attached to it, it is the solenoid.

AnswerI am having that problem with my 92 Topaz right now. This is a problem with your starter. The clicking sound you hear coming from beside the battery is actually you ignition sending a signal to it. That is actually a relay for the starter and a couple other accesories within the car. The solenoid is actually the little round cylinder on the starter itself. Try checking the starter with a pair of jumper cables connected directly to the battery once the starter is removed (The starter is located directly under the oil filter in the front of the engine and it has three bolts connecting it to the engine)(To remove these bolts you must look from under the car by the left tire directly toward the starter and you will see the bolts). Place the starter on the ground next to the car. Connect the hot lead of the jumper cables to where the plug is connected to on the starter. Touch the ground connection for the jumper cables to the actual side of the starter(generally black) because the metal here conducts electricity and is grounded(do not connect it to the aluminum area around the location of the bolt holes, it will do nothing). Beware...DO NOT ACTAULLY TOUCH THE STARTER WITH YOUR BODY IN THIS PROCESS, JUST THE CABLES. There WILL be a spark when this happens. At that point. The round piece within the starter with the tines on it will jump out toward the side of the starter with a kick and it will also turn as well. If it seems to turn very slow, you will need to either replace the starter or have it rebuilt at an Auto Electric Repair Shop. If however, it turns with some speed, the starter is fine and you may reinstall it. You would at that point replace the clicking relay at say "Advance Auto". It is relatively cheap, all things considered. You must make sure to mark where the disconnected terminals go back to when you replace the relay. If this still does not work. This means one of two things. For one check your terminals to make sure they are in the proper original location. If that is not it, it is the very rare case that the wire from the relay to the starter went bad...also available at "Advance Auto". Good Luck.