What causes solenoid clicking according to the technicians?

Solenoid clicking typically occurs when there is insufficient electrical current to the starter solenoid, and both a discharged battery and dirty battery cables can lead to this situation.

When a battery is discharged, it doesn't have enough voltage to provide the necessary power for the solenoid to operate. Instead of turning the starter motor, the solenoid may only click as it attempts to engage but fails due to lack of sufficient energy. This sound indicates that the solenoid is receiving some power — enough to engage its mechanism but not enough to crank the engine.

Similarly, dirty or corroded battery cables can create a poor connection, resulting in voltage drops that prevent adequate current from reaching the solenoid. Even if the battery has a decent charge, if the connections are compromised, the current flow will be insufficient to activate the solenoid effectively.

Both of these issues thus contribute to the clicking sound heard from the solenoid, making the choice that includes both causes not only accurate but essential for diagnosing starting issues in vehicles.