How To Diagnose Problems If Your Car Won’t Start?
It is annoying and frustrating when you are in hurry, but your car does not start. You have tried to turn the key over and over or push the start switch but nothing happens. Don’t worry, most car owners experienced this at least once.
So how to diagnose problems if your car won’t start? This article will demonstrate some starting problems with detailed descriptions. Let’s get started now!
Diagnose starting issues
There will be some clues about this problem when you start the car. Let’s look at the list below.
1. No noise
If you do not hear any noise when you start the vehicle, the connection of your battery might have a problem.
2. Fast clicking noise
This often shows an issue with the electrical system. Specifically, it might be an alternator problem or a low/ flat battery.
3. Single click
This issue relates to the starter relay or just the starter.
4. Engine cuts out
In this case, the engine starts before it cuts out. The phenomenon result from the carburetor issue or the fuel injection. Also, this might be caused by the flooded engine if you can smell petrol in your car.
5. Engine does not start even it cranks
The issue could be from the empty fuel tank, the flooded engine, or the blocked fuel filter.
Some specific reasons why your car won’t start
1. Is there any cranking sound from the engine?
The engine plays an important role in the car’s operation. If you find out the cranking sound when you turn the ignition, there might be problems with the voltage. Or else, it might be the issue relating to a starter.
In case you do not hear any sound, check if the battery is fully charged and in order. On the other hand, you can use the booster pack with another car to start your battery. Also, if you own the second battery, you can replace the old one.
What if the problems are not from the two reasons above? Let’s check the electrics or the starter. Begin with the wire testing first. As you may know, the starter often has two wires including the large b+ and the small one.
The next step is to test the ground from the body to the engine by using the jumper cable. You put it between the engine’s ground point and the negative terminal of the battery.
Besides, you should use the multimeter to check the large and small wires. The standard is 12V and remember to turn the ignition to the starter when checking the small wire. If the ground is fine and both wires are 12V, there is an ampere issue with the large cable, or the starter might be faulty.
It is recommended to conduct the loading test here to make sure that the cable connected to the start does not get damaged. When the test’s result is OK and the small wire is on 12V, the starter might be faulty, and you have to replace it.
In case you do not get 12V with the small cable, the problem is with the starter signal. Thus, you need to diagnose the ignition, fuses, starter relay, and the cables from the ignition to the starter.
2. Test the spark plugs
Another popular problem when your car will not start is the spark. The issue can result from a bad ignition cable, ignition coil, or spark plug. However, the most common reason is that the petrol engine is flooded. When you turn off the engine too soon after the car is cold, this will happen.
There will be unburned fuel entering the engine and remaining there and it wets the plugs, making it harder to restart the vehicle. In case you hear the quick cranking sound while turning the key, this might be the flooded engine. Besides, you may notice the strong smell of petrol.
To check the spark, you can remove the coil or cable. Have another person crank the engine before you check the spark. Remember not to put your hands on the spark as you might be shocked.
3. Is the battery faulty, dead, or flat?
Another major culprit leading to the problems with starting the car is the battery. As a matter of fact, 55% of cases were caused by battery issues. So, why does the car battery go dead or flat?
The reasons were varied. For instance, your car has not been used for a long period, or some components of the battery are faulty. Or some electrical things were left on in the vehicle, making the drain the battery quickly.
In this situation, you can jump-start your car, but it is better to have a professional mechanic check. Otherwise, you should replace the car battery.
4. The battery connection might be bad
Some people may look down on this reason, but it happens quite often. When the cable on the battery is loose or ripped, the car will not start. Sometimes, the connection is corroded due to the deep corrosion of the battery, causing the car not to start.
5. Check the ignition button
The power will be transferred from the battery to other components of the car by the ignition switch. Thus, if there is any problem with it, there will be no power to start the car. Although this problem is not relatively common, you still have to notice as it might go bad at any time.
Some signs that your car tries to warn are:
- The key does not turn
- The car does not start
- The panel does not light up
- The dashboard of the car might flicker
- There is no noise from the motor
If the switch is still ON, you should power the pump constantly. It could be a sign of a faulty ignition switch.
Bottom line
General, there are many reasons why your vehicle does not start. Hopefully, you find this article helpful, and you now know how to diagnose if your car won’t start. Remember that whether the issues stem from any reason, almost symptoms are similar. It is recommended to have an expert test and fix it at once.
