5 Reasons Your Car Won’t Start
There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to start your car and it won’t start. If your car won’t “start,” it means the starter can’t crank to start the engine. So nothing happens when you turn the key in the ignition.
Don’t confuse engine starting problems with an engine that won’t start. Sometimes your engine will start but won’t start. For example, if there is a problem with the spark plugs or fuel injectors, the engine will not start even if the starter cranks normally.
On the other hand, if the starter does not have the power or ability to start the engine, the engine will not even start. You don’t have to be a car expert, but it is important to be able to tell the difference between a car that won’t start and an engine that won’t start but will crank.
Below are the 5 most common reasons why a car won’t start. If nothing happens when you turn the ignition key, investigate the following causes and see if your vehicle has them:
1) Empty or defective battery (old battery)
The starter motor needs power from the battery to start the engine. If you have a defective battery, or one that no longer has enough charge, the starter will not work.
Without the starter working, the engine will not start. Therefore, use a battery tester to check how much charge is left in your car’s battery. If the charge is low, replace the battery and try again.
2) Faulty Starter Motor (Symptoms of a Bad Starter Motor)
You need a starter to start your engine, so naturally you need a working starter. However, starter motors tend to gradually deteriorate over time and eventually burn out or fail. You’ll notice they’re failing because your engine will have difficulty starting.
Also, the noise a starter motor makes when you turn the ignition key is very quiet. At some point your engine will die and nothing will happen when you turn the key. Don’t let it get to that point. As soon as you notice the first warning signs of a failing starter, repair or replace it immediately.
3) Bad Battery Contact (Corroded Battery Terminals)
If there is corrosion on the battery posts or terminals, the connection will no longer be able to carry current, which can be just as serious as a dead battery. Luckily, fixing this problem is very easy. Simply disconnect the cables from the battery and use a wire brush to remove any corrosion from the battery posts and terminals.
4) Bad Ignition Switch (Bad Ignition Switch Symptoms)
If your battery is fine but you turn the key to start and nothing happens, your ignition switch may be bad. To test this, turn the key to “on” instead of “start.” If the ignition switch is good, all of the dashboard lights should come on. If the switch is faulty, no dashboard lights will come on. 5) Poor starter connection (bad starter motor)
The connection from the battery to the starter motor must be tight. If the starter cable is dirty or corroded, it should be cleaned with a wire brush, just as you would the battery terminals.
