6 Reasons Why Your Car Won’t Start After Refueling
Have you ever tried to start your car after refueling and it simply wouldn’t start or keep running? If so, you know that the resulting panic can be terrible and often leaves you wondering, “What did I do wrong?”
Don’t worry; you’re not alone, as many other drivers have experienced this as well. In this article, we’ll look at the 6 most common reasons why your car won’t start after refueling.
Common Causes of Your Car Won’t Start After Refueling
There are many possible reasons why your car won’t start after refueling, but not all of them are as problematic or concerning as you might think. Understanding the possible causes is usually the first step in coming up with a proper plan of action to get your vehicle back on the road.
1) Low-quality gasoline
When faced with a challenge like this, one of the most obvious thoughts is that the gasoline you just bought is bad. However, this is very rare, especially today with stricter quality control. But if you just filled up at a gas station in the wilderness or one that isn’t a well-known chain brand, your gasoline may be of poor quality.
2) Starting/charging system issues
It’s entirely possible that a starting/charging system issue is causing this problem. Your vehicle’s battery may be dead, your starter motor may be damaged, or your positive/ground connection may be loose or corroded. Further testing of this system will often be necessary, starting with the battery.
3) Fuel Pump Failure
A car’s fuel pump can fail at any time, without warning, making this a perfectly plausible theory as to why your car might suddenly not start after refueling. This is especially true for older vehicles or high mileage vehicles that have not yet had their fuel pump replaced.
4) Clogged Fuel Filter
A clogged fuel filter can also be the reason your vehicle will not start after it has stalled for any reason. This filter acts as a kind of strainer for the fuel to be burned. When your vehicle’s fuel filter is clogged, it restricts the fuel system and prevents fuel from reaching each combustion chamber.
5) EVAP System Issues
Your vehicle’s evaporative emissions system can also be the cause of starting problems, especially those that occur immediately after refueling. The most common EVAP failure of this type involves your vehicle’s EVAP purge solenoid valve sticking. However, it can also be due to a clogged activated charcoal canister.
6) Ignition Switch Errors
Another possible cause of starting problems is a faulty ignition switch. Your car’s ignition switch can fail without warning at any time, leaving you stranded at the gas station you stopped at to refuel.
This has nothing to do with refueling the vehicle itself, but you may experience this issue any time you try to start your vehicle. Ignition switch failure at this particular time is more of an unfortunate coincidence than anything else, and is often much harder to troubleshoot if you don’t consider it as a possibility.
What do you do for a living? The following steps will help you determine the best way to resolve the issue of your vehicle not starting after refueling.
(1) Describe the problem precisely – You must first determine the nature of the problem at hand.
– Does the vehicle start, but not start?
– Or does it never start at all?
(2) Check the battery (if it doesn’t start) – If the vehicle in question won’t start at all, try using a portable jump starter battery (such as a NOCO) or ask another person at a gas station to jump start it for you – or supply to help.
– If this still doesn’t produce results, check all wiring connections on both the power and ground sides of the circuit. You can also switch power through individual poles on the vehicle’s starter/solenoid.
(3) Check that the fuel pump is working (when starting) – If the target vehicle starts but won’t start, you should check that the fuel pump is working.
– Use a small screwdriver to gently depress the Schrader connector stem found on most fuel rails to make sure it is under pressure. If not, try tapping the bottom of the car’s fuel tank with a broom handle or similar. In some cases, this will tighten the fuel pump and restore function.
(4) Tow if necessary (for further diagnosis) – If none of the above steps are successful, the vehicle should be towed from the pump to a more convenient location as a more complex diagnosis will be required.
How a mechanic troubleshoots
When troubleshooting this type of problem, a professional mechanic will follow the same process and steps as any other starting problem. First, determine whether it is a starting problem or a crankshaft problem. This simply means that it is important to determine whether the vehicle in question starts but simply does not ignite, or does not start at all.
If the vehicle in question does not start, the mechanic will inspect the condition of the starting/charging circuit. The vehicle’s battery will be tested to ensure it is functional and able to power the starter motor.
If the vehicle in question starts but will not ignite, you will need to determine what is missing to start combustion. A gasoline engine needs fuel, air, a properly regulated spark, and enough compression to start combustion.
In the event of a crank/no-start concern, a mechanic must figure out which element is missing from this equation. This typically involves the use of a scan tool, fuel pressure gauge, and ignition-system test light, among other specialty tools.
Prevention Measures
It is virtually impossible to prevent freak automotive mechanical or electrical issues from taking place, due to the unpredictable nature of their occurrence.
However, you can lessen the chance of their occurrence, at least to a noteworthy degree, through general upkeep and maintenance. This simply involves getting ahead of impending failures before they actually occur.
Some of the most noteworthy of these preventative measures involve replacing batteries when they begin to exhibit signs of weakness, periodically checking all cable connections for tightness, replacing fuel filters at specified service intervals, and conducting all maintenance as outlined by a vehicle’s manufacturer.
While this does not eliminate the chance of unpredicted mechanical failure, it does mitigate additional risk to the extent possible.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that you will best served to avoid fueling your vehicle at questionable establishments. This is due to concern over fuel quality. Whenever possible, it is best to stick to fueling at popular chain-style gas stations that generally receive their fuel shipments from reputable bulk carriers.