Good morning from Toyota country. I live in "Toyota town" where several makes of Toyota are manufactured. I inherited a 2000 Toyota from a much loved aunt and outside of my 1974 AMC Gremlin which I drove for 30 years, I've never driven a car I loved as much.

This has been a trouble free car for 7 years--one flat tire and that's it! However, this morning I awoke to find the car making a fast clicking sound and it wouldn't start. The clicking was constant. It stoped clicking as fast when the flashers were active, but as soon as the flasher was disengaged, the clicking stared again. I attempted to start the engine and there is not even the sound you usually get if your battery is dead or dying.

I'm completely baffled. I unhooked the battery cable and the noise stopped, but I'm afraid to even try jumping the battery off not knowing why the clicking was going on.

Any advice on this would be very much appreciated. TIA bthompson

Sounds like a crapped out starter to me. Also, how long has it been since the battery was changed? If it's been over 4 years then change it out. Most batteries start their downhill slide after 4 years no matter how many months are left on the warranty.

Thanks. That's the first thing I'll check on in the morning when things open up. The weird thing and it may be something to do with a bad starter is that in trying to crank the car the clicking stopped. At least I have your suggestion and it's a starting (sorry, no pun intended) point.

Instead of buying whole starter, 9 times out of 10, it'll be bad starter contacts. Below is a DIY for a starter on a 4Runner, but the idea is the same. You can probably pick up the part from your local $tealer too.

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml