Why is My Car Not Starting

If you try to start your car one morning, but nothing happens, you may be wondering, "why isn't my car starting, and what could be the problem?". There are ultimately a number of possible explanations for why your vehicle won't start. The issue may be that you forgot to refill the fuel tank, or you may need a new part such as a battery or electric starter. Whatever the cause, it's important to figure out what is wrong with your car so that you can make all required repairs.

Bad Starter

The starter works with the crankshaft to start your car. Today, most vehicles have electric starters to replace manual cranks that were previously used to ignite the engine. The starter can develop several problems that keep it from prompting the engine to start. The electric motor in the starter might die and need replacement, or the starter may have other problems develop with the flywheel or the teeth. If the starter breaks, you may hear just a clicking sound if you try to start the car.

Dead Battery

Battery problems are another possible issue with your vehicle. The battery can last five years and sometimes even longer, depending on your car, the battery manufacturer, and regular driving habits. The battery can wear out sooner if it is subject to environmental stresses such as frequent exposure to hot or cold temperatures. The battery will lose its power quickly if you keep the lights on in your car for an extended period of time. Even leaving lights on overnight can drain the battery's reserves. One way to see if the battery is the issue is to jump-start your car. If a jump-start works, it may be time for a battery replacement.

Faulty Ignition

The ignition in your car may come in the form of a standard key or a key fob. Your car may have a physical ignition in the dashboard, or the ignition may be located in the key fob. If you have a key fob, there is also a small internal computer in the fob that can break. In that case, you'll need to get a new chip installed so that your car starts again.

No Gas

A car that runs out of gas is not uncommon. If your car's fuel tank doesn't have an indicator that alerts you when the car is low on fuel, it's easy to lose track of the tank's fuel level. Your car's gas gauge can also break, which causes the car to register an empty tank.

Clogged Engine Fuel Filter

Every car has a fuel filter on the engine that keeps contaminants from getting into the fuel. If the fuel filter gets congested, it can't bring clean fuel to the engine or circulate fuel through the car.

If your car is not working, contact us for a service appointment today.