IF YOU HEAR RAPID CLICKING...
IT MIGHT BE A BATTERY OR ALTERNATOR PROBLEM.
A rapid clicking noise when trying to start your car could mean there's something wrong within the electrical system. Perhaps your battery's dead, or your alternator, which charges the battery, isn't working correctly.
If the source of the clicking is electrical, the starter (a small motor energized by the battery that gets the engine running) doesn't have enough juice to stay powered. So instead, it rapidly turns on and off and produces a clicking noise!
Keep in mind that, in cases like this, a misfiring starter is a symptom of the issue—not the cause. In all likelihood, your vehicle’s electrical system is to blame, which is why a jumpstart might get your car moving temporarily.
Once it’s running, have a qualified technician take a look at every part of the electrical system. You may need to replace your alternator or battery. Or, the solution could be as simple as removing corrosion from the battery terminals to strengthen the battery's connection.