Why Won’t My Car Start?

Getting stuck with a car that won’t start is never fun. Maybe it’s out of the blue or a recurring problem. Either way, if your car doesn’t start and you aren’t sure why or what to do, that makes for a stressful day. Don’t worry! We have a list of reasons why your car won’t start and how to fix it.

Starter Click

Sometimes when your car doesn’t start the starter will click. This is usually a sign of a weak battery, dirty battery terminals, a worn starter motor, or a stuck solenoid. There are a few tricks you can try to get your car started. If your car can turn on but still won’t start, turn your car light on and observe it while you try to start the car. If the light goes out, the battery is probably weak.

If your car doesn’t start and there is no click, try shifting the shifter. Press your foot to the brake and shift to neutral gear and try starting the engine again. This may take a few tries.

Engine Cranks but Doesn’t Fire

Make sure your radio is turned off. Turn your key and listen for a buzzing sound. If you don’t hear the buzzing sound, that could mean your cars’ fuel pump relay is bad or the pump needs to be replaced. Check your owner’s manual to locate the fuel pump and swap out the relay.

Key Cycling Trick

If your car turns on but doesn’t start, try this trick. Turn on your car dome light. Watch the light while you attempt to start the engine. If the light goes out while you do this, the battery is probably very weak. The key cycling trick is to turn the key to the starting position about ten times in a row. After that, wait five minutes and then try to start the engine.

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Flooded Engine

If you smell gas, there is a good possibility that your engine is flooded. This is an easy fix. Press the accelerator down to the floor while you start the engine.

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