I just click mine until it blinks. It's not nearly as accurate or dependable with actually taking 5 clicks to activate as my Ego Twist or Smoktech Ego Mini, but it turns on and off without fail.....just not always with 5 clicks.
As far as the kgo blinking
three times with that clearo....are you saying the clearo works with other
batteries, or your kgo works with other clearo/carto/attys? If the kgo works with other items, that clearo may be shorted out. In that case, it would be safest to toss it unless you can meter it to be sure. If it's the clearo working with other items, there may be an issue with the center pin on the kgo not meeting up correctly with the clearo. Try using a some thing you can fit in the connection to raise/wiggle up the center post a bit.