There are cars you shouldn’t buy because there’s a highly likely chance that they will leave you stranded in the future. And there’s that part of being a vehicle owner that your ever-reliable car won’t start one day. It’s either you’ll hear the engine turn but don’t go all the way. Or it’s just dead. Cold metal. And for such days, you must know why your car engine won’t turn over and what you can do about it.
1. Dead or Faulty Car Battery
A faulty battery is one of the most common reasons your car won’t start. Your car’s engine relies on the energy stored in the battery to create a spark and fire up the engine. If the power of your battery is not enough, then your car won’t run. One of the most common sign that your battery’s dead is you’ll just hear clicks when you turn on the ignition or push the start button. Click, click, but the engine won’t turn over. Your battery could be dead because of manufacturing issues, or the weather is too cold, or you left a light on, and that drained the battery.
To fix the issue, you need a volt meter to check what’s power left in your battery. You can jump-start your car by connecting it to another vehicle’s battery, or you can replace your battery. Your battery issues might also be due to a bad alternator.
2. Battery Terminal Issues
If your car won’t start and you checked that the battery has enough juice, the next thing you want to inspect is the battery terminals. At times, they can get dirty or corroded. Either way, such conditions will result in poor conduction of electricity. With poor conduction, your car might fail to start.
It’s an easy, most of the time no-expense fix. All you have to do is clean the battery terminals. Sometimes, wiping them is all it takes, while at times, you need to use a battery-cleaning product. While you’re at it, make sure you also clean the battery car connector, as the powdery build-up on your battery terminals may also attach to them.
3. Alternator Problem
The alternator is the powerhouse of your car. It runs the show when talking about the lights, radio, and other accessories. Aside from keeping the vehicle’s electrical system running while the engine’s on, the alternator also charges your battery. You know your alternator has gone bad if you headlight seems dimmer or sometimes overly bright. Similar symptoms include an abnormal growling noise in the engine bay and dimmer interior lights, among others. There are times when your car will start but it immediately shuts down. Or your car won’t start.
You need a multimeter to check if your car is working properly and charging your battery properly. If you lack the know-how, bringing your car to your trusted mechanic is best.
4. Starter Issues
Another top reason why your car won’t start is a problematic starter. Do you hear that whirring sound before your engine turns over? That’s the starter. It spins certain parts of the car’s powerplant to initiate the much-needed combustion to get the engine running.
Your car’s starter just doesn’t suddenly die on you. You’ll notice before failing that your car’s engine cannot crank properly. Sometimes, you’ll hear the starter running even after you release the key. Once dead, you’ll hear some groaning, but it won’t turn completely. At times, after multiple attempts, you can hear a burning smell under the hood, and your car battery also discharged.
5. Dirty Spark Plugs
Old or improperly maintained spark plugs may also be the culprit why your car won’t start. The spark plugs, as their name implies, trigger the combustion in the engine. When you have bad spark plugs, your vehicle might run sluggishly or rough. While idling, you might notice vibrations that you didn’t use to feel before. Your fuel mileage may also deteriorate because of old spark plugs. While on the road, your engine might also misfire (you’ll hear a loud bang when this happens).
Spark plugs are pretty cheap. Check your owner’s manual and follow the schedule provided. When they have gone bad, replace them. You can swap them for new ones or go to your trusted car shop for a quick replacement.
6. Bad Battery Cables
You have a good, working car battery. Your alternator is good. But why in the world would your car won’t start? It might be your power cables to blame. Just like your house is connected to the powerplants through wires, it’s the same setup in your car. The power is delivered from the battery to other components via wires. If you have a bad wire, then it messes the whole chain of events to get your car running.
From time to time, it’s best practice to check your cables for any cracks or damage. If you see any problems, it is best to replace them before it causes more problems. Good cables also help ensure your battery is in optimal condition and may actually stretch its lifespan.
7. Broken Distributor
You notice in films when scientists try to send a rocket to space. They do a systems check and say go if all is good. The same works for your car. All systems involved in firing it up must all be on track and operational before you hear that vroom. Part of your ignition system is the distributor, as well as other parts. Its main responsibility is to pass the electricity to the ignition coil and the cylinders of the engine to generate that spark for the whole shebang. All these things must happen at the perfect time so your car will start and run smoothly.
You have to check your car’s distributor from time to time for any damage or corrosion. You can always ask for help from experts if you think your car’s distributor is the problem.
8. Steering Lock
Car designers have included security features in your car. This way, they cannot be easily stolen. One of those features is the steering lock. If you have a jammed steering lock, you’ll notice that you cannot even turn your key to power on the car.
When one tries to turn it without the key in the hole, the steering will lock. In order to unjam it, you just need to wiggle it from left to right and back. Do it gently. Once unlocked, you can start the engine!
9. Not Stepping on the Brake Pedal
If your car won’t start, some of the top reasons might cost you a lot of money to fix. However, there are days that we seem to forget that, when driving an automatic, you need to ensure the car’s gear is in Park and your foot is on the brake pedal before you start it. It is part of the safety measures so the car will not suddenly move upon starting and cause an incident. Again, before stressing out why your vehicle won’t turn, look below. Yes, step on that brake pedal.
10. No Fuel
The battery is working, the gear is in the right position, and you’re stepping on the brake pedal, yet the car won’t start. This is not an uncommon scenario. A lot of drivers simply forget to fill up. Without gas or diesel, your internal combustion engine won’t run. Crank it all you want. Let the spark plugs bolt out lightning and let the cables do their work, but without fuel, it will not run.
Don’t Get Stranded: Prepare for Car Starting Woes
A car that won’t start is a big headache. It can be stressful and frustrating. However, this is a preventable scenario, or if it happens, it is easily fixable. Every driver should know the basics. You need to know where to look when your car won’t start. You need these essential car troubleshooting skills so you can pinpoint the problem and address it accordingly. Doing so lets you get back on the road as soon as possible without spending a fortune on roadside assistance or car repair.