Why Is My Car Not Starting?

January 31, 2022 6:47 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Nothing’s worse than going out to your car and finding that it won’t start. Of course, this never happens when you have plenty of time. Instead, it always happens when you’re in a time crunch. You’re late for work or you need to drop the kids off at school or you have to be at a doctor’s appointment—that’s when your car not starting is a problem.

Then you begin thinking about how much it’s going to cost to fix it—but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

If you’re wondering why your car is not starting, there are several potential reasons. Read on to find out the most common ones.

Battery problems

A dead or dysfunctional battery is the leading reason for a car failing to start. The battery provides electrical power to the entire car and all its components, from the headlights and taillights to the radio and interior lights. While the car is running, the alternator is responsible for charging the battery. When the battery doesn’t have sufficient charge, then you won’t be able to start the car or use any of its electrical parts.

The battery could be dead due to a number of reasons. It could simply be at the end of its lifetime. You may have left the lights on for too long while the car was off. There could be a loose wire in the battery. If you’re able to jumpstart the car, it’s time to bring it in to a trusted mechanic to get to the root of the problem.

Bad alternator

Related to battery problems is an alternator that’s not doing its job. If you’ve routinely had trouble with the car not starting, the lights dimming or the car stalling, then a faulty alternator could be the source of the problem. A squealing sound that originates in the engine and gets louder when the heater or sound system is used could be related to the alternator bearings.

Malfunctioning ignition switch

Let’s say you rule out the battery and alternator. Then the issue might be linked to the ignition switch. If you’re able to turn on the headlights, then whatever is causing the car to fail to start isn’t related to the battery. A bad ignition switch is the next most likely culprit.

Faulty starter

A busted starter is next up on the list of most common reasons the car won’t start. This electrical motor is connected to the battery and is responsible for setting the engine in motion when you flick the ignition switch on. When the starter isn’t working, the engine won’t crank properly or may not crank at all. If you hear a clicking noise when you try to start the car, then the starter might be the cause.

We hope this guide to why your car is not starting has been helpful. For four decades, Auto Air & Heating, Inc has served the community as a one-stop shop for a range of automotive repair and maintenance services. From brakes, tires and suspensions to electrical work and diagnostic testing, we do it all. Give us a call today to find out more and schedule an appointment.

Categorised in:

This post was written by Writer

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *