Why My Car Is Not Starting

A car that won’t start is already a problem, but not knowing why it’s not staring makes it more worrisome. If you can figure out what is causing your car not to start, you could fix minor problems on the roadside instead of calling for a tow truck. We compiled a list of most common car problems that would prevent your car from starting. There are some fixes your can do to get car started even if you don’t have mechanical skills.

Bad Or Dead Battery

Starting with the most common problem and the easiest to repair is testing and charging car battery in order to start the car or even to unlock the car. Conventional 12 volt automotive battery stays charged and stores energy over period of time when car is turned off. If you get in the car and there is no power at all and nothing lights up on the dashboard then it is clear as day that you need to troubleshoot the battery. You may need a new battery or just a jump start, but you need to start your car to figure out your next step. Try to use jumper cables or a vehicle jump starter booster.

Car Won’t Start With New Battery

We see often drivers go ahead and purchase new battery without proper testing, assuming that low battery is causing their vehicle not to start. If new car battery won’t start the engine, that means you will need to investigate your issue further. Even if the current battery you had in your car was not the problem, it is no harm to update car battery every 3 years. Having newer battery in your vehicle makes it more reliable.

Bad Starter

A starter is a small electric motor connected to the battery and controlled by ignition switch. Each time you turn the key to start and holding it you switch starter ON and engage the engine. Starter only works while the key is turned and as soon the engine starts the started motor stays OFF until next start. When started is going bad you may notice delay before it kicks in or you will have to try sever time to turn the key for starter motor to engage. Failing starter will display signs of starter going bad.

Bad Alternator

Vehicle electrical charging system is comprised of battery, alternator, charging relay and voltage controller. If one of the parts fails car battery will be overcharging or undercharging. A bad alternator will not prevent your car from starting. If alternator is bad your dash will display a battery symbol and vehicle will start loosing power while driving and eventually engine will shut off.

Dashboard Battery Light On

A red battery sign among other instrument lights on the dashboard is there to warn you about a problem. Many drivers make conclusion that when their vehicle wouldn’t start and there is a battery light on on the dash while ignition is on then it must be a bad battery. Dashboard warning lights indicate a problem correctly when engine is running. If you car is driving but you still have a red battery light on it could mean a battery charging problem.

Car dies after removing jumper cables

A jump start with jumper cables connected to another car will supply power from another vehicles running alternator and battery to power up your car and start the engine. Once the engine starts you can safely disconnect jumper leads (negative first) and car will stay running on its own. If you notice a slight slowdown or change in engine idle after cables are off, or car dies after removing jumper cables, then you have a battery charging problem.

Loose or corroded battery cables

There are several wiring connections that are crucial when starting the vehicle. Loose or dirty connection to the starter or corroded cable terminals at the battery will limit the power. How you can tell if battery cable is bad or loose? When starting the car you notices all power to just disappear and then return to normal after you release the key, this would mean there is a problem with battery terminal and stronger load created arcing.

Replace Car Battery Yourself

When it comes time to replace car battery there are several routes you can take. You can have a mechanic or car battery store do it for you if you can drive your car to the nearest auto parts store or service center. You can also change car battery yourself and save money on installation labor. With basic tools and couple hours of your time you will be up and running. Just remember when connecting a car battery positive terminal first. To change car battery at home there are mobile car battery replacement companies that deliver and install car batteries at home.

Anti Theft Alarm

Factory or aftermarket car alarms often will disable ignition or fuel supply when activated. Among several possible reasons why your car is not starting, a blinking red light under the dash could mean that anti theft alarm has been activated and is not letting start the engine. There are security systems that will not honk or give any warning when activated. To disable or reset car alarm you can use manual key to lock – unlock driver door from outside. Use your key fob remote to disable the alarm. For after market alarms there will be a kill switch behind the blinking light.

Broken or Worn Ignition switch

Old worn out ignition switch can be the reason your car is not starting. If key feels hard to turn or doesn’t turn all the way to the start position this could be your problem. Try to wiggle or pull in and out keys to make it past through the stuck point. If your ignition is starting to feel not smooth it may fail at anytime next time you turn the key.

Bad Fuel Pump

There are three things engine needs to start running – it’s Spark / Ignition, Fuel and Oxygen. If your fuel pump is bad or clogged then your engine will keep cranking like its about to start, but never will. There are several ways to diagnose broken fuel pump. Listen for a humming sound coming from a fuel tank when ignition switched on. To easily determine if engine is not getting fuel – to spray small mist of starter fluid or other automotive product in to air intake and try to start. If engine starts to run for a short time, then it means the fuel pump is bad. Local San Diego Towing Service will tow your vehicle to the nearest repair shop.

Bad Ignition Coil or No Spark

This type of breakdown is less common and it takes some tools to diagnose it correctly. More often the spark plugs get wet and flooded with fuel when trying to start cold engine. To dry out spark plugs evaporate extra fuel from combustion chambers leave ignition off for 5 min, then try to start again, but don’t step or pump accelerator pedal, just keep cranking.