Car won't start, not the battery

[Racer220]

Okay, so one of my friends' car won't start and we don't think it's the battery because the lights, radio, everything in the car will come on. When he tries to crank it the levers on all the dashboard gauges jump and we hear a clicking sound.

The clicking makes me think it's the starter but I could be wrong.

 

[Mustang37]

It could be the starter, then again it could be the ignition too. It could even be the battery even though the other things still work. They could be working off the alternator. I think it's trial and error!

 

[Miata_Matyr]

Don't rule out the battery just yet, it may have enough charge to power the light etc, just not to start the car. I'd try jump starting it before attempting to replace alt/starter (which would be most likely if the battey is ok)

 

[Racer220]

Miata, I don't know why we did not think of trying to give the car a jump. While I am at it, what does the starter generally look like? We're going to try to locate it to see if we can tap it to get it to work.

 

[Miata_Matyr]

Google a pic of a starter motor (they all look pretty much the same) or follow the black (+) lead from the battery, but I don't think tapping will do much. Just give it a jump then get a new battery or get it yours tested as it may just need a good run to charge it.

 

[Racer220]

We located the starter, it was in a very weird spot supposedly according to the mechanic, it was near the coolant and oil box.

Anywho, tapping it did work, we tapped it a few times and it cranked. However, can't do that forever, but at least we found the culprit!