Why CAN'T it be the battery? The radio uses far less electrical energy than does the starter. To KNOW that it's not the battery, use a volt meter and have someone attempt to start the engine while you hold the voltmeter contacts to the battery posts. If the voltage drops below about 10 VDC, it's probably a discharged or faulty battery.
Try jump starting it and see if that solves the problem.
If you can get the engine started, use the voltmeter again and see what the operating voltage is. You should get about 13.5 to 14.5 VDC if your alternator is functioning properly.
If you've isolated all other possibilities, it's probably the starter solenoid. It's integral to the starer so unless you've rebuilt starters in the past, don't bother getting a new one.
But before you just throw replacement parts at the problem, CHECK FIRST! Make sure that's what's really wrong.
It can very well be the battery. Takes almost no amperage to operate a radio. I would suspect it is either the battery or the battery connections.
Sometimes there can be enough power in the battery to run electrical things but not enough to start the engine. You need to get the battery tested to see if it will hold a charge.You can try to jump start it using another battery. If it will not start this way,try charging the battery first before going on to the starter. If it turns out to be the starter, you can have it rebuilt. This can run about 20.00-40.00.
battery needs charged or replaced. not to detract from the other guys answer, but you could also be experiencing a poor connection coming from the starter terminals or possibly have a faulty relay.
Could be: Seized engine Weak battery loose or corroded battery cables Bad starter solenoid Bad starter Bad neutral or clutch safety switch
Check your battery cable that runs down to your starter. It could be loose or corroded. Try to tighten it up. Even better take it off, use some sandpaper and clean it to bare metal. Then put it back on good and tight and that might solve your problem. If not it's probably your starter.
You may have a weak battery, try jump starting it with another car or battery.
starter, solonoid, ignition, battery. if it clicks when you turn the key then the battery is really dead or its the starter the battery could still be jumped if its the battery.
Weak battery, bad connection Bad starter
Your battery is low. You probably has to replace the battery. Or maybe the starter motor solonoid is faulty
Seized engine? Weak battery? Loose or corroded battery cables? Defective starter solenoid? Flat spot on starter?
A no start condition where the starter just clicks.
check the battery,check the starter, see if their both good. It's the battery, if all it does is click. The clicking is the starter trying to start but not having enough electricity.
Flat battery or sticky starter motor / solenoid - try re-charging battery or get a jump start Flat battery or sticky starter motor / solenoid - try re-charging battery or get a jump start
Jump it, there is not enough power to starter. Ensure alternator and battery are good.
Could be,low battery, loose or dirty battery connections, starter is bad, starter solenoid is bad, neutral safety switch bad or out of adjustment, starter relay is bad,
Proper battery connections could be at fault, how old is your battery? Check for loose and corroded terminals on your battery and starter connections. Also the starter might just be bad.
clicking when trying to start is usually caused by flat battery check charge in battery if not battery ,you need to eplace starter mptor
Check your battery connections. If they're tight and no corrosion is present, then your battery may be dead. Recharge or jump start the battery. Still clicking? Replace the starter.