Why Isn't My Car Starting?
We all dread it. We climb into our car, ready to start our day, put the key in the ignition, and nothing happens. At best, there are some unfortunate sounds as the car does its best to turn on for you, but at the end of it all, your car simply won’t start. There are many potential issues that could cause a car not to start, but we’ll review some of the most common to look out for so you can identify the source of your problem, and maybe prevent future issues.
Why Won’t My Car Start?
Battery Problems
One of the most common reasons a car won’t start is issues with the battery. Sometimes, this means there is an issue with the battery connection, and can be easily fixed by readjusting the cables or cleaning the battery terminals while the car is off. If the battery is fully dead — they can be drained by leaving lights on while the car is off, or even just in cold weather — you can jump start your vehicle with another car via battery cables. We advise letting your battery fully charge up before driving again, then stopping in at a car mechanic to have your battery tested to ensure full health.
Bad Alternator
A vehicle’s alternator takes the electricity from the battery and sends it to the other electrical systems through the car, such as the lights and infotainment system. It also recharges the battery after the car starts. If, after jumping the battery, the car dies again, then the issue is the alternator, not the battery. You may be able to detect issues with the alternator sooner if you notice that your lights are dimmer than usual or your audio output is quieter than it should be.
Jammed Steering Wheel
A jammed or stuck steering wheel is the easiest to detect, as you won’t even be able to turn your key in the ignition — although this is becoming less of an issue with the growth in popularity of digital keys. Luckily, this has an easy fix. With the key in the ignition and turned slightly, give your wheel a few tiny turns back and forth. This should unlock the wheel, letting you start the car.
Fuel Tank or Pump Issues
There are many aspects to the fuel system that could cause your car not to start. First, and most obviously, if your fuel tank is empty, you cannot start your car. However, if you can get gas to your car (and perhaps with a jumpstart) you should have your car back in no time.
Every vehicle also has a fuel filter that removes impurities from the gas so they do not reach the engine. However, if the filter becomes clogged with those impurities, then the fuel cannot reach the engine, essentially leaving the car without fuel. Replacing the filter on a manufacturer-recommended basis should prevent this problem.
Finally, the fuel pump is what moves the gas to the engine’s combustion to start the car. If the pump is not working properly, then the gas does not reach the engine and cannot do what needs to be done. Signs that the pump is struggling are trouble accelerating and the check engine light turning on.
We’re Here to Help
Anyone can have car trouble, and we understand the stress that it brings. Luckily, a lot of the causes we’ve mentioned above can be prevented or caught early with regular car maintenance. First Tire & Automotive is a customer-first auto repair shop with 5 convenient locations around Fort Bend County that offers maintenance and repair services to keep you and your car moving.