Dying Starter?

[boneezy]

Recently since the start of the new year, whenever I go to turn my car on, there is this rapid clicking noise, its almost like sticking a straw in the blades of an electric fan.

anyways, my car would still turn on after the crazy clicking but then all of my radio presets would be reset but all my other electricals still work.

I dont think its my battery (though I bought it from toyota 3yrs ago) because with my key in the on position my radio and cabin lights still work. do i have the right diagnosis?

if so, how much will it cost + install?

['00vegas-solara]

Hey whats up fellow Las Vegen.
I have found out the hard way that batteries dont last very long here due to the Summer heat so I change them every 2 years regardless. It cant hurt to throw a new battery in there and maybe that will solve your trouble. Good Luck.

[Strider327]

That is the truth. Its the battery....

[Akui]

Although it may very well be the battery you might want to check the connection points on your starter as well. A friend of mine had his Avalon's starter's contacts go bad. Simple job to fix em; buy a kit with the new connections ($20 i think), and simple rachet tools to replace.

[bassthrive]

Something to add, since I have been experiencing a related problem. Roughly every 1 out of 8 times I turn the ignition to start the car, the starter "stutters" and takes a half second longer than usual for the engine to turn over.

I also get the occasional headlight/dash dimming on bass hits.

Is my cheap Costco Exide Classic 72 battery to blame for this? Will the problem be solved if I go out and buy a fancy Optima?

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

I also get the occasional headlight/dash dimming on bass hits.

^^ now that sounds more like a dying alternator problem to me!!

Just take it to autozone and have them check both the battery and the alternator. Worst case scenario, you will eliminate whats not wrong with your car! It could be a the starter...but my hunch from your above comments its the alternator and connection thingie (whatever they are really called)