With so many working parks that form part of the motor, it’s easy to understand why it can be tough to determine why your car will not start. While some reasons will require professional repairs, some other reasons can be resolved by the driver. Remember, you should never attempt to remove any parts or perform repairs yourself, or it could void your warranty.
If you turn the key and you don’t hear the engine crank, the following could be the cause:
• Dead battery: Your battery is charged by the alternator while your car is running. That said, every battery has a limited lifespan, so they won’t last forever no matter how well you look after your car. If the battery gets old or if your alternator fails, you will be left without enough power to get the motor running. If you do not drive regularly, you should at least start your car regularly to avoid the battery from losing its charge. This is particularly important during the winter months.
• Bad electrical connections: Corrosion has a way of building up on the battery terminals. If this happens, you will need to disconnect the battery, clean the terminals, and reconnect it before trying to start your car again.
• Park or clutch switch problems: If you try to start your car and you notice that the lights do not flicker or dim when you turn the key, it could be the ignition switch. Alternatively, the park or neutral switch or relay starter might be to blame, and you may have to consider possible wiring problems as well. Remember to ensure that your car is in park or your foot is on the clutch when you start your car.
• Security issue: Your car key is not just a key. It has been preprogrammed to work only on your car. If something goes wrong with this security system in the key, it will mean that your car will not start. Try using your spare key and, if this works, then you know that the key is to blame.
• Bad starter: If you hear a clicking noise when you turn the key, it could be due to starter solenoid engaging nd disengaging quickly. This is certainly something that needs to be tended to by a mechanic.
If you turn the key, and you hear the engine crank, but your car won’t start, you might be experiencing one of the following problems:
• Out of fuel: This might seem obvious, but it can happen to anyone! Especially if your fuel gauge is faulty or if there is a leak. Remember, you should never let your tank run too low because it can put serious strain on your fuel pump and filter.
• Fuel pump faults: If your fuel pump does not work, the fuel will not reach the necessary parts of the engine, and your car won’t start.
• No spark: The ignition coil or spark plugs might need to be replaced if you can hear the cranking sound without a proper start. Normally one spark plug will give you trouble at a time which means that you should notice a drop in performance. Regular inspections and maintenance will help prevent your car from letting you down.
• Clogged systems: If the injectors or fuel system becomes clogged, it will prevent fuel from reaching the engine, and this will cause your car to fail to start. Dirt, debris and similar matter are usually to blame, and it’s often due to a bad fuel filter. Replace your fuel filter regularly in order to prevent this from happening.
Some of these problems, like an empty tank or faulty key, can be easy to diagnose and remedy yourself. However, other problems require your vehicle to be towed and repaired by a professional. Remember to always submit your claim with your warranty provider before agreeing to any towing.