You go out to start your car, but it won’t turn over no matter how many times you hit the gas. What could be the problem?
It’s frustrating when your car won’t start, and it can be hard to determine what the problem is.
So Reasons why the car having a hard time starting? In this article, we will walk you through the most common reasons your car isn’t starting, and how to fix them. Let’s explore together!
Contents
The act of turning your car key in the ignition or pressing your car’s start button sets off a battery-powered electric motor. This initial action starts the engine’s rotation, which then sucks air and fuel into its cylinders to mix together. That mixture is then pushed into the engine’s combustion chambers, where the ignition system provides a spark. The spark ignites the fuel-air mixture, causing a small explosion that powers down piston in the engine’s cylinder. As more pistons are set in motion, this creates energy for engine power.
This whole sequence starts with the first signal from the car key or ignition button, which sends an electric current through substantial wires to a solenoid. The solenoid is a tiny switch that connects to an electromagnet to complete the starter circuit, turning on the starter motor. The electric starter motor is linked to a shaft that leads to a gear wheel, called a pinion. The pinion is connected to an bigger gear ring on the engine flywheel or flex plate, which activates the engine’s rotation.
The starter system includes multiple components that work together to send signals from the ignition to the engine. An issue could arise with any one of these parts, and their configuration and design can vary depending on the age and make of your vehicle.
Fortunately, a competent automobile repairman will be familiar with the nuances of numerous makes and models. You should ask for help from experts if you can’t figure out why your car is sluggish to start.
If your car won’t start and you think it’s because of a dead battery, don’t worry-you can always jumpstart the battery. If your car starts, we suggest you have your battery and alternator checked-up just in case. However, if the issue is faulty connections or simply wear and tear of parts such as cables or posts, it’s an affordable fix.
Your car’s technician will have no trouble resolving the problem. A quick cleaning will be enough – the tech will conduct a few tests to check for any additional battery concerns and repair them.
If your car’s gas tank is empty, it won’t start. This may seem like an obvious thing to do, but you would be surprised at how often people forget to fill up on gas even when they are running low. All you need to do is put some gasoline in the tank and you should be good to go. However, sometimes your fuel gauge might read as full even though the tank is actually completely empty. If this happens, you should have it checked out by a professional mechanic as soon as possible.
One thing is for certain: running out of petrol while you are on the road and far from a gas station is not the most welcome of situations. Certainly, in an Idaho summer! There may be additional difficulties with your starting issue that aren’t related to the fuel.
A leaking fuel line or a damaged fuel pump are two possibilities. Alternatively, your fuel filter might be clogged. As a result, the petrol supply to the engine will be cut off. Fuel filters should be replaced every 15,000 to 20,000 kilometers in order to preserve the effectiveness of your car’s emissions controls. This is something that your vehicle’s expert will check when you bring it in for servicing.
If your car won’t start, a faulty starter could be the culprit. What is a starter? It’s a small electrical motor that connects to your battery and helps get the engine moving when you turn on the ignition. A faulty starter won’t be able to get the engine going, so all you might hear is a clicking sound instead of the usual roar of an engine coming to life.
If the starter bolts are loose, simply tightening them will fix the issue. Or, if cleaning the plunger does not work, a professional car technician will easily address the fault. Another potential problem is with your ignition switch; you might notice that your headlights and dashboard light up but your car doesn’t start. This could be due to a faulty ignition switch.
While you’re focused on the battery and alternator, don’t forget about the drive belts. If your car has starting issues but runs fine otherwise, it may be because of a loose drive belt causing a delay in the charging system. The power from the battery can’t reach the full potential to charge up the car as quickly. There is also potential for tears, so keep an eye out for that too.
The wiring system is responsible for transmitting power from one component to another. This issue isn’t uncommon, so make sure to make a thorough check of the connections. Probably the wires that are connecting the battery and alternator, or the charging system coming loose is causing problems.
Check the wiring and cables for leaks if your car won’t start. Any leaking or corrosion in them might prevent the vehicles from starting. This is frequently one of the causes behind car delays or even not starting. So, double-check for any leaks in the wiring and connections.
In addition to the issues discussed, car starting trouble might also come from other sources. These include potential problems with the computer system, a clogged air filter, or engine oil.
Your automobile is a mechanical structure with numerous operational components. Any of the running parts may easily stop your car from starting if there’s a problem. Regular maintenance is the greatest method to avoid automobile difficulties, especially starting problems.
Your vehicle’s mechanic will conduct a complete examination, run necessary diagnostics, and perform the required repairs or replacements to fix any problems that are currently causing difficulties or might create future issues.
Step 1: Insert your key. The keyhole in your ignition is more than just a security measure – it’s what sends power to the starter and gets your car running.
Step 2: Starter pushes the flywheel or flexplate. The power emitted from the ignition is not enough to start up the engine by itself. A solenoid on the starter will use that initial amount of power as a switch to produce an even stronger current. The starter then kicks in and drives a small gear, called the Bendix, into the flywheel or flexplate pinion so that it rotates along with the ring gear.
Step 3: The engine turns over. At the moment the flywheel or flexplate is cranked over, gasoline and fuel are being fed into the combustion chamber through a tube. The spark must be applied when all of these elements come together in a timely manner. When all of these factors have lined up simultaneously, the engine should start and continue to run until the computer tells it to stop. At this point, the ignition system has completed its job. The Bendix will retract back into its recessed position while the starter will not engage until after another turn of a key.
Step 1: Put the car in Park. Make sure to try to start the vehicle in Park before testing it. It may sound obvious, but it’s easy to overlook. Try changing the car’s position to Neutral and attempting on again. If the car starts up in Neutral but not in Park, a neutral safety switch might be at fault. The key will not turn in the ignition if it won’t budge from side to side. Turn the wheel back and forth several times until you hear a click. Try turning it again.
Step 2: Examine the battery. A dead or partially charged battery will not provide enough power for the starter to turn over the engine. Begin by jump-starting the car. After a few minutes of running, a simple dead or discharged battery will recover from the alternator and recharge. If your battery is faulty and must be replaced, you are likely to experience this problem again, or even while driving.
If the battery is dead, its terminals and connections may be corroded or loose. Clean any residue from the terminals and cables if this is the case. Corroded conduit beneath the pipe needs to be cleaned inside of it as well. It may be necessary to remove the conduit, but proceed with caution while doing so and replace the wires if they require more than an inch cleaning. Make sure each cable is fully connected and secured around its terminal end.
Step 3: Check your starter. Although starters generally last the life of your car, this is unusual. You should eventually replace your starter at some point. The solenoid on top of the starter and the components within can fail, as well as the mechanism itself. These may be bench tested at home or in a local auto parts shop.
Step 4: Check the spark. Unless there is a source of electricity to start the fuel mix in the combustion chamber, the engine will not operate. It will turn over or “crank over,” but it will never actually run. At-home methods for checking for spark include using a spark plug tester, which determines if the proper amount of power is being sent to the plugs; and testing for resistance with an ohmmeter. Although this may seem like a difficult task, it isn’t as hard as you might think when you know what tools are required. Spark issues can occur at any one of these components in your ignition system . Check for possible faults with your plug wires, distributor or module, and gap between them. These all have an impact on how well your ignition system works.
Step 5: Check the fuel level. If the incorrect amount of fuel is being injected into the combustion chamber, or it is being injected at an inappropriate moment, the engine will not start. This will be a situation in which the engine performs all of its functions but does not actually run. The fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel injectors, and gasoline lines are just a few of the possibilities. Some of those choices are unlikely to have an impact on the system, but they do exist. Start with thefuel injector cleanliness; make sure they are free of any obstructions.)
Step 6: Examine the compression and timing. Compression and timing are two more important elements in the beginning process. The combustion in the chamber will not take place as it should if there is no appropriate compression. When these pressures are low, the engine will usually turn over rapidly since there is no resistance. The opposite effect of timing is similar but inverse. If the timing is incorrect, it will most likely delay ignition, resulting in a no-start or a sluggish start.
It’s possible that an EGR system failure or a leaky EGR system will result in drivability issues, such as a rough idle, detonation, difficult starting, stalling, and greater NOx or hydrocarbon emissions from your exhaust.
A weak fuel pump can cause the car to require more cranks before it will start in some cases, and in even worse situations, the car may need multiple turns of the key before it will start.
Your car’s starter may survive the whole duration of your ownership and not fail you once. In general, your car’s starter should be able to endure 100,000 to 150,000 miles before it begins to malfunction.
Starter rebuild parts can cost anywhere from $50 to $350, whereas a brand-new starter ranges from $80 to over $350. If you’re planning on having a qualified mechanic replace or rebuild your starter, be prepared to spend between $150 and upwards of $1,100.
Have you ever had a time when your car wouldn’t start? You turn the key in the ignition and all you hear is a sad clicking noise. It can be frustrating to say the least, especially if it happens when you need to get somewhere. Amortips.com‘s team hope that by understanding these problems which we covered above, you will be able to diagnose and fix them quickly the next time they happen to you. Thanks for reading!
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