One of the most frustrating moments for a car owner is getting into their vehicle with the intention of getting from point A to point B and finding their car will not start. Oftentimes this feels as if it happens out of the blue and at the worst moment. However, knowing that it can happen, and what to look out for can give us a chance to take action and possibly avoid paying for a tow truck. I am going to cover a few common issues that would keep a car from starting and in some cases what you can try to get the car started. Understand though, if your car does not start – even if you get it started – it is best to get it looked at by a mechanic to make sure any issues are taken care of.
Please note: I am not a mechanic, but the advice I am giving is based on personal research and experience.
Does your car make a rapid ‘clicking’ sound when turning the key?
A rapid clicking sound or no sound is indicative of a dead battery. A dead battery can happen for a number of reasons. Lights might have been left on, a car door was not fully shut and the dome light stood on, the battery is old, if the battery is not maintenance free the battery may have low distilled water in its cores, or the battery is not being charged properly. In this case, if you have another nearby car – or a neighbor’s car – you can try to jump your vehicle. If jumping your car works, and your battery is only a few months old, then you may have left your lights on, may have an accessory that is draining your battery, or you may have a bad alternator. In any case, I would suggest driving the vehicle to a mechanic or to Advance Auto Parts of Autozone to have them check it out. They will be able to tell you if it is just a bad battery, alternator, or possible goof of leaving the lights on.
Does your car make no sound when turning the key?
If your car is making no sound when turning the key, you may want to check that the leads to your vehicle’s battery does not have corrosion on them. Make sure the key is out of the ignition and remove the connectors to the battery and clean the posts on the battery. After replacing the connectors, try starting your vehicle again. If it does not start, you may need to try jumping your car.
Does your car try to start and fails, but the lights and radio work?
If you are able to turn on your radio and lights, with no visible or audible issues, and the car attempts to start but does not turn over, then you may have a starter or spark plug issue. If it is a starter, you may be able to lightly tap the starter under the hood a couple of times with a hammer or the handle of a screwdriver – check your manual to see where it is located. This can get the starter in the right place to turn over if the brushes inside the starter are worn out. Please note, this can damage your starter; as such, I do not recommend doing it – at best it is a temporary fix. If tapping the starter does not help, you may need to change your spark plugs. Again, as with the dead battery, if you are able to get the car started, I would have a mechanic look at your car, especially with a dead starter – as you will need to replace it.
If you have tried everything you can and your car still will not start, before calling for a tow truck check to see if you have a AAA membership, or if you opted to add towing to your insurance. Either of these options may be able to send you some roadside assistance without hitting you too hard in the wallet – if at all.
A car that won’t start can be frustrating, but getting mad and flustered will not help the situation. The best thing you can do is stay calm, and take in what your car is telling you. Are the lights on? What sound is the car making when I turn the key? These types of questions can help you point you in the right direction on what is going on.
Quote of the day: It’s a never-ending battle of making your cars better and also trying to be better yourself. – Dale Earnhardt
