5 Reasons Why Your Car Won't Start (And How to Avoid Them)
There’s nothing quite sinking like the feeling of turning on your ignition and hearing nothing. A car refusing to start is a frustrating experience, especially when you’re running late. But before you call a tow truck or panic, take a deep breath. The culprit behind your non-starting engine might be simpler than you think.
Here are five common reasons why your car won’t start, along with tips on how to avoid these frustrating situations:
1. Your battery is drained
This one tops the list for a reason. A dead or weak battery is the most common reason why your car won’t start. Leaving the headlights or interior lights on when the engine is off may drain your battery. Corrosion on the terminals can also weaken your battery and stall the engine when starting. However, this doesn’t mean your battery needs replacing.
How to deal with a dead battery
In most cases, you can bring your battery back to life by simply jumpstarting the car. A jumper cable is one of the essential items you should have in your car emergency kit. They will come in handy when you need to jumpstart your car. There are also portable car jump starters you can keep with you in case you don’t like bothering your neighbors.
After jumpstarting the car, drive for a while to give your alternator enough time to fully recharge the battery.
In case the terminals are corroded, simply detach the terminal wires, clean them, and reattach the battery.
Extreme temperatures can also take a toll on your battery. Always park in the shade whenever possible.
2. You’ve run out of fuel
Yes, running out of fuel happens even to the most careful of us. No matter how much we try to ensure we have fuel for a trip, the fuel gauge sometimes catches us slacking. If your engine is sputtering when you start the car, it may be a sign of an empty fuel tank. Cranking the engine repeatedly may drain the battery and compound your problems.
How to prevent low fuel
Always listen to your fuel gauge. Don’t ignore the low fuel warning light. It’s good practice to refuel when the gauge reaches ¼ tank to avoid any unexpected hiccups. You should also plan your trips (especially long-distance drives) so you don’t push your luck and test the limits of your fuel gauge.
3. You’re faced with a defective starter motor
The starter motor is the part responsible for cranking the engine, giving it the push it needs to come to life when you start your car. If your battery’s fine and you have fuel in your tank but your car still won’t start, the problem could be a defective starter motor.
How do you tell that your starter motor is defective? One of the signs of a defective starter motor is a clicking noise when you turn on your ignition switch. Also, if you try to start the engine only to find that the dashboard lights up, but the engine doesn’t power up, you might have a problem with the starter. Watch out for grinding noises or smoke from the starter area too.
How to deal with a defective starter motor
Fortunately, you can still start your car even with a faulty starter motor.
For manual cars, you can bypass the bad starter and get your car running by push-starting it. Let a few people push the car while you put the key in the start position, put in second gear, and hold the clutch in. Release the clutch while still turning the key once the car starts rolling.
For automatic cars, move the gear from “park” to “neutral.” Sometimes, technical glitches stop the car from starting in the “park.” If the car starts in neutral, ensure to schedule diagnostics with your mechanic.
You can prevent starter motor problems by having your car regularly inspected and serviced to identify and fix issues before they become major problems. You should also avoid over-cranking your engine if it doesn’t start within a few seconds. Over-cranking can overheat the starter motor and worsen the problem.
4. The spark plugs have given up
Spark plugs ignite the air-fuel mixture in the engine and help to start the engine. Worn-out, fouled, or incorrectly gapped spark plugs can prevent proper combustion, leaving your car cranking in vain. Symptoms of faulty spark plugs include engine misfires, rough idling, and decreased fuel efficiency.
How to ensure peak spark plug performance
You should always follow your maintenance schedule. Depending on the make and model of your car, it’s advisable to replace your spark plugs every 50,000- 100,000 km.
To avoid premature wear and tear and enhance their performance, buy high-quality spark plugs recommended for your specific car. You should have your spark plugs checked if you notice rough idling, decreased engine power, or misfires.
5. Your immobilizer system is at work
It doesn’t mean there’s a problem with your car every time it fails to start. Modern cars have sophisticated immobilizer systems that prevent unauthorized engine startup. If your car’s make is post-1998, it probably has an immobilizer. Also, if your vehicle has a key fob or a smart key, it almost certainly has an immobilizer.
Sometimes, a malfunction in the immobilizer system can mistakenly prevent your car from starting. This often results in flashing dashboard lights or security system warnings.
How to deal with immobilizer system malfunction
If the immobilizer system came with the car, you should consult the manufacturer’s manual and familiarize yourself with the car’s security system and how to deal with false alarms. For post-purchase immobilizer systems, a qualified technician or authorized dealership should be able to help.
Modifications on the car’s electrical system can also interfere with the immobilizer, so it’s better to stick to professional installations when making upgrades on your car.
If in doubt, call a professional. Don’t attempt to fix it yourself.
Prevent Stalled Start Problems With Preventive Maintenance
Remember, a little preventive care can go a long way in avoiding starting troubles. Most of the time, your car won’t start because of preventable issues. Following your maintenance schedule will keep your car healthy and avoid the frustration of a stalled start.
It’s also advisable to do an in-depth inspection every once in a while to get to know the true condition of your car and detect hidden underlying problems. This enables you to take a proactive approach to car maintenance.
