The last thing you want when you hop in your car is to find yourself stuck. You turn your key but just can’t get the engine to start so you can leave – what do you do? There are a number of possible auto repairs you may need that could cause your engine to not start. Some can be resolved without the help of a mechanic, while others are best taken care of by a mechanic you trust.
The most common cause of a car that won’t start is simply a problem with the battery. It could be old, worn, flat, dead, or have bad connections, all of which can make it difficult or impossible to start your car. While this can be annoying, it’s also possible you’ll be able to do a temporary fix that will help you get on the road, even if you may also want to schedule an appointment with your mechanic soon.
One way to tell whether your battery is to blame is to pay attention to electrical features. Do your headlights and radio come on when you turn the key but not the engine? If they don’t, that points to your battery not having enough power or bad connections. If you hear no noise or a rapid clicking sound when you turn the key, that could also point to your battery or its connections. If it’s simply a dead battery, you can jump it and be able to get to your destination.
Your car’s starter is connected to the battery and is responsible for setting the engine in motion when you start the ignition. If this part has worn out or failed, it can mean your engine is not getting power from the battery like it should.
The main sign that points to your starter is a single loud click when you turn the key or press Start Engine. If you hear this sound along with the lack of response from your engine, it’s likely you’re dealing with a problem with either the starter or the switch that sends power to the starter.
Whether you need a new fuel filter or have a flooded engine, they’re auto repairs that can present with similar symptoms. Your fuel filter does just what it sounds like: it filters out debris in the fuel cycling through your engine. Over time, it becomes clogged and needs to be replaced with a clean fuel filter, otherwise, fuel will be blocked. At the opposite end, if you turn off your car’s engine too soon after starting it, there may be fuel left unburned inside the engine, which can wet the spark plugs. This is called a flooded engine.
When you try to start the engine, pay attention to what you hear. If the engine cranks but there’s no other response, it could point to either a clogged fuel filter or a flooded engine. A trusted mechanic can help accurately diagnose a necessary repair and get it fixed.
Your car’s alternator serves a dual purpose: sending power to electrical components and also charging the car battery. This can cause it to give similar symptoms to a battery that’s low on power, though you may not be successful trying to jump start your car if the problem is your alternator.
If you hear a rapid clicking noise when trying to start your car, it could point to your alternator. It’s also possible your battery is low, so having both your battery and alternator checked soon is a good idea. Either could leave you stranded if not taken care of by a mechanic.
Did you forget to fill up on fuel before parking at home last night? The reason behind your car not starting could simply be an empty fuel tank. In this case, there’s no fuel left to circulate through and power your engine, so you won’t get far without adding some fuel to your car.
In this case, your engine will crank but not start. You also should see electrical functions like headlights and your radio working. Fortunately, it’s simple to add more fuel, even if you may have to call a friend or walk to the nearest gas station to get fuel.
