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Originally Posted by bucknaked
...went to start the focus and I get a series of loud clicking coming from the direction of the battery...can the clicking cause a problem to the cars electrical system...
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When you hit the key, a solenoid switches on, turning the starter motor, which turns the engine to make
it start. When you release the key, the starter motor solenoid switches off, and if everything is OK your engine is purring away.
If you don't have enough charge in your battery (or if it can't draw enough amps because the battery clamps aren't tightened up) the starter motor solenoid cannot extend fully, and retracts. When the solenoid switches off, it reduces the load on the battery, which increases the available charge so the solenoid switches on again, and then the process is repeated. Each clicking noise it the extension / retraction of the starter motor solenoid.
Please don't quote this to a mechanic because he will laugh at you. It's far more complex but I've tried to dumb it down a bit.
The simple answer - the clicking noise was caused by poorly tightened battery clamps. It did absolutely no damage to your electrical or mechanical system
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