Car breakdowns can disrupt your schedule, so it’s frustrating when your car won’t start. These breakdowns are inevitable, and even with regular maintenance, various problems can occur and prevent your car from starting. The unexpected expenses caused by the breakdown can also make your wallet bleed. Let’s take a look at the reasons why your car won’t start.
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Bad or dead battery
Even though most cars run on gasoline, they all need electricity to run. The starter that turns on the engine requires an electrical signal to start, so the most common reason a car won’t start is a dead or faulty battery. If there’s something wrong with the battery, the car’s engine won’t run. There are other symptoms that could indicate a dead battery, but checking to see if the engine runs is a good first step.
Battery failure doesn’t require you to be a professional to restart your car. Jumping a car battery is usually fairly simple as long as you have jumper cables and another power source. However, jumping a battery may only be a temporary solution, and new batteries can be expensive, so it’s best to always take good care of your battery.
Dead starter motor
It can also fail after thousands of engine starts, and the engine starter motor meshes with the flywheel at the rear of the engine. It is a 12-volt motor that can corrode due to exposure to the elements.
Bad Alternator
The alternator charges the battery and keeps the car’s electrical systems running once the car is started, and a bad alternator goes hand in hand with a dead battery. Any bad alternator should be replaced, so be sure to keep an eye out for any signs of a bad alternator. If the alternator is bad, the battery isn’t necessarily bad, but it certainly won’t work properly.
Bad ignition switch
The ignition switch is another step from turning the key to starting the engine. If the ignition switch is faulty, you won’t hear the starter motor start the engine. It plays a vital role between the battery and the starter motor, transferring power from the battery to the engine. You may also experience some electrical problems because the ignition switch effectively activates the car’s main electrical system. Dashboard lights flickering or going off is a classic example. You may also have trouble turning the key.
Bad Fuel Pump Relay
The fuel pump relay is an electrical component in your car’s fuse box, which usually has multiple relays for different functions. To confirm if the relays are bad, swap their positions and check if the problem is fixed. It transmits the power needed by the fuel pump to draw the right amount of fuel into the combustion chamber. It is worth noting that this method will not work if multiple relays are faulty, so have an auto mechanic check your fuel system.
Some obvious signs of a faulty fuel pump relay are:
No noise from the fuel pump
Inconsistent acceleration
Engine stalls or won’t start
Check engine light illuminates
Bad Spark Plug or Broken Distributor
If your battery and fuel pressure are fine but your car won’t start, you may have a bad spark plug. A bad spark plug can prevent the fuel from igniting and the vehicle from starting. Signs of bad spark plugs include: reduced fuel economy, acceleration problems, engine misfires, rough idle. If your spark plugs are fine but the car won’t start, the distributor cap or rotor may be damaged. So what are they? The distributor sends electricity to the spark plugs, which ignite the air-fuel mixture. It also directs high-voltage current from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. The distributor cap has a rotor that protects its internal parts and maintains contact between the rotor and the spark plug wires. If the cap is not tight or the rotor is not working properly, the spark won’t travel.
Bad timing belt
The timing belt keeps the engine’s cam and crankshaft spinning in sync, allowing the cylinders to fire at the proper time. The timing belt is another integral part of the proper functioning of the engine. If there is a problem with the timing belt, you may hear ticking noises from the engine or strange differences in engine speed, or the engine may not turn over. Replacing the timing belt is a maintenance job that needs to be done regularly, so if you notice any problems that may be related to it, call your mechanic immediately.
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Jammed steering lock
Have you ever gotten into your car and found that you can’t even turn the key? If this has happened to you, it’s likely that your steering lock is stuck. If your steering lock is stuck, try wiggling it left and right and gently turning it in the direction that allows movement. Once the lock is disengaged, you can turn the key in the ignition normally. As an anti-theft measure, your steering lock activates when someone tries to move the wheel without the key in the ignition. It occasionally acts as an anti-driving measure accidentally.
Empty Fuel Tank
Another reason is that the gas tank is empty. The car will not start when the tank is empty, so check the fuel level regularly before setting off to make sure you have enough fuel. In cold weather, an empty tank can also cause the fuel lines to freeze due to water vapor forming inside, which can prevent the car from starting. To avoid freezing of the fuel lines, keep the tank half full in cold weather and use a fuel line antifreeze additive. If your car is frequently running out of gas, have a mechanic check for leaks or a damaged fuel gauge. Sometimes, older cars with carburetors will not start when the engine is full of fuel. To fix this, hold the accelerator pedal to the floor while starting the engine.
Faulty immobilizer
Knowing why your car won’t start is a good first step to repairing it. If you try to unlock your car with the key fob and it won’t, it could mean there’s a problem with the immobilizer. If the key fob can’t send a security code to the immobilizer, this could also prevent your car from starting.
Clogged fuel filter
You may notice a range of fuel-related problems, from spitting to poor fuel consumption and, of course, difficulty starting. If fuel can’t get to the engine, your car will struggle to burn. While it sounds obvious, you may not realise that your fuel filter is preventing your car from starting. Your fuel filter should be changed every 30,000 miles, so if your car is about to reach this milestone and won’t start, it’s worth checking and replacing.
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