Your car is one of the essential machines you own as it gives you independence and self-reliance as you can travel both short and long distances efficiently.
It’s inconvenient when your car won’t start, specifically if you’re in a rush. This blog explains why your car won’t start and the steps you can take to create it.
Have you ever been in a situation where a car cranks but won’t start? That can’t be fun, can it? Fortunately, there’s a good likelihood that the problem is minor. Issues can be various such as you might have a faulty anti-theft device or a problem with your ignition starter, switch, or fuel filter.
This article addresses the most frequent reasons in case you are witnessing a car breakdown and saying “my car won’t start” when you need it the most.
Common Reasons Why Cars Won’t Start
1. Dead battery
Many factors might cause your automobile battery to deplete. The most typical reason for a car not starting is a low battery. For example, you could have left your headlights turned on when your car was parked and forgotten to switch them off. It may cause your automobile battery to discharge.
Other possible causes include a loose wire, water evaporation inside the component, which can lead to poor conduction, or just using the battery for an extended period! The specific cause is difficult to determine, but the final consequence is that your automobile will not start. Using jumper wires is one approach to determine if the problem is a dead battery. If the car starts, the problem is a dead battery. If the automobile does not start, proceed to the next likely cause.
Turning on the headlights is another technique to confirm if the issue is a dead battery. Because the battery operates the lights, you can be confident that the battery is in good working order if your headlights switch on.
2. Ignition Switch Failure
When you’ve determined that there’s no issue with your automobile battery, the next thing to investigate is the key switch. If your automobile does not run after several attempts, the problem might be a faulty ignition switch or a key not turning in the ignition.
A malfunctioning ignition switch might cause your automobile to start and stall unexpectedly. It happens when the ignition key malfunctions in the “on” position, which is meant to turn the ignition and fuel systems on. Turn the ignition button to the ready position and let go of the key to see whether the issue is with the ignition switch. Allow it to return to the “on” position and observe what the danger lights (if they flicker) indicate. If they stop working when you re-snap the switch, the ignition switch has to be replaced.
3. Starter Has Failed
A defective starter, like a malfunctioning ignition switch, is another cause why a car won’t start. Because the starter is the power that powers on the motor if it is damaged or defective, the engine will not start, and your automobile will not start. The nearest mechanic will give you perfect car advice in such a situation.
When you start your car, listen for a clicking sound to see whether the issue is a faulty starter. If you hear it, the reason is almost certainly a damaged or weakened starter.
4. Fuel Filter
To guarantee that gasoline enters the engine, keep your fuel filter clean. To keep these filters from becoming clogged, replace them every 10,000 and 15,000 miles. If they become blocked, fuel doesn’t reach the engine, and your vehicle will not start. How will you tell whether clogged gasoline filters are to blame in such a situation?
The best method is to remove and inspect. Or you can also hire a fuel injector specialists. But keep in mind, fuel injector service cost in Perth can vary in different car repair workshops. However, one of the best general principles is to replace gasoline filters every 10,000 and 15,000 miles. Whether you last replaced it a while ago, consider doing so and check if your engine starts now.
5. Gas Tank Is Empty
This is an apparent explanation for why your car won’t start. If you’ve been traveling for an extended period without stopping to replenish, an unfilled gas tank might be why your car won’t start. You must proceed to the nearest petrol station to refill it in such a situation.
An empty gas tank is one of your car’s most straightforward problems, and you can immediately sort this out. There is a very easy trick to solve the empty gas tank problem. It would help if you kept an eye on the speedometer and instantly fill the tank when the meter suggests the car is in reserve mode. Most speedometers show a red sign indicating that the fuel is in reserve mode.
6. Electronic Malfunction
Technology has advanced significantly, and our newest vehicles are equipped with the most up-to-date technologies. However, these conveniences might sometimes cause problems. Starting modules, as well as remote access systems, might fail. As an example, consider the new start buttons. This innovative design is gradually replacing the ignition button as a starting method. The start button receives a signal from a proximity button. If the key fob’s battery has failed, this might also cause problems starting the car.
One thing is sure: if you pay close attention to the signs your vehicle exhibits, you can quickly determine why your automobile won’t start. If you cannot figure out the problem, you can search for the car mechanic near me on the browser to find a mechanic.
Identify The Starting Problems
Insert the key into the ignition. Will you be able to complete the turn? If you can’t, you may have a faulty ignition switch that has to be changed. It’s also possible that your steering wheel is locked due to the ignition lock. The steering locks instantly when you park your car on a hill or if the front tyres are forced against something. So, rotate your steering wheel slightly to see whether it unlocks, allowing you to switch on the ignition. Otherwise, think about replacing or repairing the ignition switch.
When you can start the engine, check to see if the instrument panel lights are on. If there aren’t any lights on the center console, this indicates that there is no power flowing from the battery. The cause might be a faulty ignition switch or a dead battery. Turn on the headlights; if they work, the problem is a defective ignition switch. If the headlight does not illuminate, you have just a dead battery.
Next, see if the warning light (the key-shaped light in the instrument panel) flashes or stays on. If this occurs, it indicates that your vehicle has been hacked. As previously said, you must reset the key so the engine runs again.
On the other hand, if you notice a clicking sound (which means the car is clicking but not starting) but the engine still does not start, this indicates that your batteries are weak or that there is a faulty connection between both the battery terminals. Sometimes, the battery wires within the container become rusted, resulting in this clicking sound.
The engine may then begin to crank, often called car cranking, but only slowly, and the automobile will not start. A weak and depleted battery, problems with the starting motor, or even a bad connection between the battery terminals can all contribute to this. Only an auto mechanic can resolve any of these problems, so get in touch with an auto repair shop soon.
The final option is that your engine may crank slower and slower until it eventually clicks. Your automobile will not start once more. It may be due to the motor lacking sufficient power to start the engine. The great news is that you can quickly identify and correct this issue. When you lift the hood, you’ll notice two positive and negative wires that collaborate to send electricity from the battery to the starting motor. When you attach these wires, you can determine whether the issue is a faulty battery, cable issues, or rust in the charging port. As a result, you may perform the necessary repairs.
What To Do Next?
After the following steps, we can jump-start the car. Below are the steps to do that:
1. Position both vehicles such that the jumper cables may reach both batteries.
2. Switch off both vehicles, open the hoods, and then use the hand and the parking brakes.
3. Attach your red jumper wire to the functional battery’s positive terminal.
4. Connect the opposite end of a red jumper wire to the dead battery’s positive terminal.
5. Attach the black jumper wire to the functional battery’s negative terminal.
6. Connect the black jumper cable’s opposite end to a grounded point on the automobile with a dead battery. It can be any unpainted iron in the engine compartment as long as it’s far enough from the battery & fuel system.
7. Turn on the operating car’s ignition and allow the engine to stay idle for a few minutes.
8. Turn on the automobile with the dead battery’s ignition and try to start the engine. You may need to press the gas pedal many times before the engine starts. If three or more start attempts fail, wait a few minutes and afterward try again.
9. After starting both automobiles, let them idle for about 10 minutes. It will replenish the dead battery sufficiently and allow it to begin independently.
10. Turn off both engines.
11. Disconnect the connecting wires in reverse order, ensuring that the leads do not contact.
12. Start your vehicle.
Final Words
Nothing is more irritating than waking up and seeing your car is not starting. To start your vehicle, you must have a properly functioning battery, ignition switch, starting relay, battery connections, and starter motor. As mentioned earlier, any component issue might cause your automobile not to start.
Issues with the batteries, the ignition system, the starter, the gasoline filter, and an unfilled fuel tank are all possible causes of a car not starting.
Identifying the cause when the car is not starting follows a specific procedure:
- First, ensure that the battery is in good working order.
- Next, Check the ignition switch.
- Last, examine the starter.
Finally, you must validate that there is nothing incorrect with the gasoline filter and that there is enough fuel in your vehicle’s fuel tank.
Once you’ve identified the issue, you must fix the damaged component to avoid a bad morning. If everything fails, you can visit the mechanic. You can take the advice of your neighbors, relatives, and friends so that you are able to find a perfect car mechanic in perth.
