One of the worst ways to start your workday is to get in your car to head to the office and have the vehicle decide it doesn’t want to take you there. There are numerous reasons a vehicle may not start, but depending on symptoms, it can be reasonably easy for a professional auto repair technician to diagnose the issue. These are some of the most common causes of automotive no-start situations.
Failing Starter
Certain noises can tell you a lot about an issue. If you turn the key and only hear a click or a series of clicks, then it is probable that your car’s starter is actuating but not engaging with the flywheel. This generally means that your vehicle is due for a starter replacement.
Bad Alternator
The alternator is what generates electricity while you drive, and it stores excess electrical power in the battery to ensure the car will be able to start the next time you need it to. If you continue to need a jumpstart, it may be because your alternator is not restoring your battery’s power, and it is time for a new one.
Fuel Delivery Problem
A car needs a spark, air, and gas to run. A clogged fuel filter won’t allow the fuel to pass in high enough quantities to get to the engine to run. The fuel pump can also fail, meaning there is no way for the car to pump gas to the engine.
Faulty Ignition
When you turn the key in the ignition, you create an electrical pathway that gets your car running. If that pathway is not being completed due to an ignition switch issue, the car will crank but not fire, that is if the key will turn at all.
Dead Battery
Suppose your car has not had any previous symptoms of starting issues, then it is probably due to a dead battery. This is one of the most common reasons a car will fail to start. The battery can die due to lights or other accessories being left on, and since the battery is what provides the power to get the car running, nothing will happen when you turn the key if it is dead. Thankfully, you’ll likely need a jumpstart to get back on the road.
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