Troubleshooting Tips: Why Your Car Won’t Start?

Almost every car owners have experienced turning on the key and nothing happens, the worst and frustrating scenario of being in an emergency and found out the car won’t start. Understanding the reason behind and learning the basic troubleshooting tips is your advantage.

 

Determine the Problem

To determine the reason what might be preventing your car from starting requires logical approach as there are many objects or parts behind the hood that needs attention like for instance.

 

Electrical

• Dead Battery is the most common reason that your car won’t start, it could be weak or totally dead. Weak battery at least produced a groaning sound but even tail lights don’t response for a dead one. Jump starting the car will fix dead battery issues
• Battery fuse often associated with a no-start car, take a look at its fuse system and find possible damage, replace it if necessary
• Battery corrosion is another cause. Check every connection or terminals for corrosion clean every angle and try to re-start your car
• Another electrical component that can affect the start system is a bad starter. Try to check using a circuit tester and see if it still works, if not, then this could be the culprit

 

Ignition System

• Ignition system could be the reason why your car won’t ignite. Check the coil using a multimeter that can measure the impedance. If it looks bad, replace it.
• Occasionally, distributor cap could be suspect, remove it and check if there’s possible dirt or moisture that causes your no-start problem. Wipe it thoroughly to get dry and if cracks or damage spotted, take a new piece.

 

Fuel Related

• There are many electrical connections in the fuel injection system, check every link and be sure that it is tight and properly arranged
• Check the fuel pump and relay with a circuit tester while the key is “On” position. From here, you can determine if the fuse or the pump relay is the cause
• Clog fuel filter is also another factor to consider. Your car is safe if you regularly change your fuel filter but if you neglect to replace it after 12,000 miles or so then this could be the source of the problem

 

Other “no-start” related issues

• The key will not turn the ignition switch with a lock wheel. Try to nudge your wheel left and right and turn your ignition key
• This may rare but it happens, check your spark plugs and see if it still work or needs to replace
• Cold engine will prevent you from starting, faulty cold start valve also brings an issue, try to start the engine when it is warm

 

Different cars have different ways to manage, it is perhaps similar but still, it has a distinctive process. If you think you need an opinion from car experts just dial (718) 297-9797 or like us on Facebook to see more tips and guides.