Why does my Hyundai Elantra click but not start — could it be a burnt starter motor?

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Why does my Hyundai Elantra click but not start — could it be a burnt starter motor?

My 2018 Hyundai Elantra makes a clicking noise when I turn the key, but the engine doesn’t crank. The battery is new and fully charged. A mechanic in Lahore said the starter motor might be burnt. Is this a common issue? What signs confirm a burnt starter motor?

Gari Specialist asked on 10 Jul 2025 17:26:45 pm

1 Answer

19 views |

Gari Master - on 10 Jul 2025 17:55:01 pm

A clicking sound without cranking is a classic sign of starter motor trouble, especially if your battery is fully charged. In your case, with a 2018 Elantra in Lahore’s hot and traffic-heavy environment, it’s very possible the starter is:

Burnt o r has worn brushes

Suffering from a faulty solenoid

Getting insufficient voltage due to poor wiring o r terminal corrosion

Signs of a burnt starter motor:

A single o r repeated click when turning the key

No engine crank even though dashboard lights are on

Smoke o r burning smell near the engine in severe cases

Starter gets very hot after repeated attempts

Recommendation:
Have a mechanic test the starter current draw and voltage. If burnt, either replace it with a new o r quality refurbished unit.