Hi,

I am having this weird problem with my X. The car was perfectly fine before the battery was replaced.

After the replacement, the car will not crank on my 1st turn of the ignition key, I can only hear this 'tak tak tak' sound which i guess is the starter solenoid. If I try a 2nd time to turn the key, the car will fire up like usual.

What can be the problem here? I only changed the batt.

 

I'd have the new battery tested. Make sure the amps are where they are supposed to be. Might be a weak battery. You should also have bought a 700 amp group 34 battery to begin with. A lot of places try to sell you a regular lancer battery.

 

Yeah, that tak, tak, tak is pretty much what you'd likely hear with a low battery. Did you clean up the cable terminals and make sure they're tight? If you got the right battery it could just be a loose cable.

 

This thread is the story of my life with my Old Evo 8
I changed the starter, battery, a few times.
It turns out it was my Ignition Switch.

Opposite the Ignition Key hole is the ignition switch. Its what turns to start the car when you turn the key. If this Piece moves approximately 1CM ! It will not start. I had to see this for myself with my own eyes when I read this.

Basically the screw could be Slightly Loose after years of use or the the part is gone bad. It was a $50 fix. But that was the cause on my 8. Also, the crappy YellowTop batteries I am Constantly buying doesn't help. It seems like when the battery is Fully Charged it starts up like a CHAMP !

After a month, it hesistates to start and that's how it is.

Corrosion on the connectors by the starter as well could be the cause.

I recommend using the battery terminal SEALER on all electrial parts that can be exposed to water.

Re-check all the ground connections for corrosition for better contact. I am absolutely fed up with these issues as well.

Ignition switch
Starter
Batter
Corrosion
Alarm module to disable vehicle could also be an issue
Does it only happen in the summer or winter ?
Tak tak tak should be a working starter but could be Fuel Pump related too..
Change all your fuses if you can. Cycle through them and make sure those little things are on point.

So many factors.. its going to take trial and error and some bucks.

 

Battery terminals are not tightened enough? just a thought.

 

Just to update, I have no problem starting the car already after driving to work and back. I guess the new battery was not fully charged yet

 

Always test the new battery. They sit in warehouses foreeeeeeeeeeever, sometimes. Awesome that you got it figured out! Keep an eye on it to make sure it was damaged when it drained. I'm told they don't full charge after draining down that far.