Five Common Reasons Your Car Won’t Start

Have you ever been in a rush to get somewhere, and the worst thing that could possibly happen, happens to your vehicle? You slide the key into the ignition, turn it over, expecting the engine to hum to life, but nothing happens. Your car makes a noise or does nothing at all, and you realize with dread that it’s not going to start no matter how much you hope it will and no matter how much you turn it over. There are many different reasons for why your car won’t start, and luckily, some of them are easily identifiable so that you can get the problem solved as quickly as possible. Here are some common reasons why your car won’t start.

The first possible cause of this could be the fuel pump and filter. The filter could be partially clogged, and this could cause the car to stall multiple times, an inconvenience that will occur if it is not cleaned or replaced. But if the fuel pump has failed, the car will crank a few times, and then your car will not start. The best way to remedy this is to take your car to a local Tempe mechanic and make sure that these things are in order, possibly narrowing down the possibilities and making it a much easier fix.

The second most common culprit could be a bad ignition switch. The ignition switch is what allows electricity from the battery to get to the starter so it can spark and ignite the gas, making you mobile. If the ignition switch is bad or defective, or even just overused, the dashboard lights can sometimes flicker, indicating there is a problem. Another way to tell if this is the problem is if the radio and other electric amenities in your car don’t work, or if the ignition is hard to turn when you are trying to start your car.

A faulty start is also another common reason why your car will not start. The best way to tell if your starter has worn out is if there is a high pitched screech. This is an obvious noise and you will know right away if your starter is defective. You may also hear a clicking sound. When the starter goes out, the starter motor actuates, but does not spin. This means that it cannot create the spark needed to get the engine up and running, and you on your way to where you need to go. This is a relatively easy fix, but it’s best to take your car to your mechanic to ensure the best repair and installation.

The reason for your car not starting could also mean that you have a dead battery. Your car will not make a sound at all if this is the case. The engine will remain silent, and you will know immediately that the cause is a dead battery. If the alternator is bad, the battery is easily drained and won’t charge as it is supposed to. Another cause could be if you have left your lights on through the night, or if any other electrical accessories have been left on for a longer period of time. You can easily jump start the battery and recharge it, but if it is time to get a new one, you should do just that, because the likelihood that it will die again is a high possibility.

Finally, if your car doesn’t start, another common reason could be a bad alternator. The alternator is essential to your car. It powers the car while you’re in motion, and it recharges the battery once it’s off. There should be multiple warning signs that it’s going bad, so hopefully you can get it taken care of before it just doesn’t start at all. Your lights might be dimmer, the accessories could have slower power operation, and usually there will be a lit dashboard indication. If the alternator fails, the battery won’t be charged, and you will not be able to start your car at all.

For the best car repair services in Arizona, come to Scottsdale Muffler. We can find the problem with your car and fix it at a low cost and make sure you are on your way in no time at all. With Scottsdale Muffler, you will always be taken care of. Whether your battery is dead, or your starter is bad, we can find the problem, and come to a resolution as soon as possible. So come to Scottsdale Muffler for all of your Tempe car repair needs. Call us today!