I have a 97 Toyota Avalon XLS that won't start, had a new battery installed, still makes clicking sound when I try to start. After a few tries it may or may not start.

Hi it does sound like the starter is stuck, there could be a way to free it and find out for sure if it is u/s, what you have to do is, locate starter on your vehicle, depending on its location you can try tapping it with a small hammer or a long bar of sorts, at the same time get someone to turn the ignition at the same time while you are tapping the starter, this should free the solenoid and then thestarter should work, if it does, turn the motor off, and try again and see if it works if it does your ok, if not then try the above again, if you have to do it every time you turn the motor off then you will need to replace your starter....hope this helps please vote thanks

Sound like your starter is going out, the clicking your hear is the starter solenoid but the starter motor don't want to engage, replace it will take care of your problem.