MY CAR WON’T START NOWWHAT?
What to look out for when a car is on the brink of failing to fire up
Most car owners have experienced this at least once: hop in, turn the key (or push the “Start” button), and the car won’t go.
Here aresomecommonthings to look out for, to avoid issues with starting your car.
Battery
This is the mostcommonreason for a vehicle not starting. Sometimes you have warnings over the prior months— your car gets harder to start and the engine cranks over more slowly before firing into life. Eventually it gives up, you hear fast clicks instead of the starter engaging, then the dash lights flicker and turn off. This is where you need assistance to test and replace the battery if required, tomake sure the terminals are clean and tight, and the charging system is ingood order. Loose or dirty battery terminals can give similar symptomswhere they contact under light load (when the car is running) but fail when cranking. This is usually evident by sparks or smoke around the area of compromised contact.
Is the battery light on?
Strangely enough, the battery light doesn’t give warning that the battery is necessarily failing; it’s more an indication of a charging system fault. If the alternator charging circuit is not complete, it brings up awarning light on the dash display to say the battery is not being charged. If that’s the case, stop driving immediately or the battery willgoflat and the vehicle will turn off in the middle of the road.
The amount of time it takes for a failing battery to receive a charge thengoflat enough to stop the engine, depends on the electrical load being used. It will happen in no time on a cold, wet night where the lights, wipers, and heater are all operating, unlike the middle of the day where fewer battery sapping ancillaries are used.
The alternator could be faulty or the belt that runs it could be broken; in either scenario it’s best not to drive.
Doyou hear a clicking sound?
Asingle click every time you turn the key to start your car can be a sign the starter motor solenoid is trying to engage the starter, but the contacts are worn and the power isn’t getting through.
If this happens but it starts eventually, take it as awarning— your startermaybe on its way out and you will need to get it checked before the car fails when you least expect it. This is often confused with battery problems and people wonder why a jumpstart or charge won’t work.
Is the engine “winding over”?
This one is a little bit difficult to determine without investigation, butsomecommoncauses can be:
● The key chip is missing or the immobiliser is on.
● Thekey hasbeendroppedor taken apart for battery replacement.
● You might have filled up with the wrong fuel— if your car won’t start on the forecourt or sputters to a halt, check your receipt to see what fuel you’ve put in.
● The fuel gauge could be faulty (saying you have fuel when you don’t) or youmayhave run out.
Someof these issues can cause the vehicle to start in one instant and just wind over the next. In most cases, it would be best to have the vehicle checked and diagnosedby Aaroadservice breakdown assistance, or at anaaauto Centre oraaapproved Repairer.
To help reduce the chances of any battery-related incidents, AA members are entitled to two free Aa10-point vehicle checks a year, which include a 12v battery test.