7 Reasons Why Your Car Won’t Start
Let’s face it, when things stop working all of a sudden, it’s a huge pain. We rely on cars every day as our main transportation to get us from point A to point B. In times when we need to be somewhere, if your car is not regularly maintained, you won’t be going anywhere. There are many reasons why your car won’t start. Before you pull your phone to call for help, there are things that you can check yourself. Here are 7 common reasons why your car won't start.
Dead Battery
The most common reason your car will not start is from a dead battery. The battery is what your car uses to provide electrical power to the entire car and electrical components. While your vehicle is running, the alternator charges the battery. However, if your battery is not charged, you will not be able to start your car. Your car battery can die if you leave your headlights on for too long, you have a loose wire, or your battery’s lifespan has expired. If you have a battery tester, check your battery to see if it’s weak. If not, have a friend try to jump your car with jumper cables. Change your car battery every four to five years or so to ensure your battery is not weak.
2. Battery Corrosion
Check your battery to see if there is any corrosion and make sure it is clean, and everything is connected before you try to start your car. If there is corrosion, Coca Cola can help eat away at the rust because it contains acid that will neutralize the corrosion on the battery and cables. If you find a way to the auto store, you can get the right products to clean your battery.
3. Bad Starter Motor
Another reason your car won’t start could be that it has a faulty starter. The starter motor is responsible for turning the engine over and getting the engine to start in motion when you turn the ignition switch on. If the starter goes bad, the engine will not crank properly or not at all when you turn the ignition key on. If you hear the clicking noise, a broken or weakened starter. You’ll need to install a new starter.
4. Bad Timing Belt
The timing belt ensures that the engine’s valves open and close in the interval so that the valves and pistons never touch. You want to make sure that your belt is in working order because it is the most important component of maintenance in your engine. If your timing belt fails, it could cause disastrous damage to the engine. If it does, an engine replacement is needed. To prevent this from happening, based on the mileage of your car, you should have your timing belt changed every five years or every 60,000 miles.
5. Bad Ignition Coil
The ignition coil converts a battery’s voltage into an electric spark. If the ignition coil is damaged, it means that there’s not enough juice to create the spark. You will need a multimeter, a tool that measures electrical current, voltage, and resistance, to test the strength of the current running through the coil.
6. Clogged Fuel Filter
If your fuel filter is clogged, it will prevent the gasoline from reaching the engine. This will make it difficult for your car to burn the fuel it needs to get it going. Next time you get your car serviced, consider swapping the fuel filter to ensure that your gas is able to fuel your engine.
7. Empty Gas Tank
It doesn’t hurt to check, even though it may seem silly, but one of the obvious reasons your car won’t start could be that your gas tank is empty. When driving around, it is easy to forget to stop and fill up your gas tank. The solution is an easy fix. Get gas and fill your tank.
Jody’s Automotive Can Help
When your car won’t start, and you are looking for a professional to maintain and ensure your car is running smoothly, Jody’s Automotive offers full-service oil changes, power steering checks, radiator service, air conditioning repair, transmission service, fleet service, and more. Jody Automotive strives to provide Jonesville, NC, and Elkin, NC with fast, affordable service for all makes and models cars. Contact us and visit today to get the best maintenance for your car.