Can’t Start Car Engine

Battery Issues

A dead or weak battery is one of the most common reasons why a car won’t start. If your battery is dead, you’ll need to jump-start it or replace it. You can also try charging the battery using a battery charger.

To check if your battery is dead, turn on your headlights. If they’re dim or don’t come on at all, your battery is likely dead. You can also use a multimeter to measure the voltage of your battery. A healthy battery should have a voltage of around 12.6 volts. If your battery is below 12 volts, it’s likely dead and needs to be replaced.

Starter Issues

Another common reason why a car won’t start is a faulty starter. The starter is responsible for turning over the engine. If the starter is damaged or not working properly, it won’t be able to turn over the engine and start the car.

There are a few things that can cause a starter to fail, including:

Worn-out brushes
Damaged solenoid
Broken starter motor

To test if your starter is working properly, try tapping it with a hammer. If the starter starts working after you tap it, it’s likely that the brushes are worn out and need to be replaced.

Fuel Issues

If your car has a fuel injection system, a clogged fuel filter can prevent fuel from reaching the engine. This will cause the car to stall or not start at all.

To check if your fuel filter is clogged, remove it from the car and inspect it. If the filter is dirty or clogged with debris, it needs to be replaced.

Another possible fuel issue is a faulty fuel pump. The fuel pump is responsible for delivering fuel from the fuel tank to the engine. If the fuel pump is damaged or not working properly, it won’t be able to deliver fuel to the engine and the car won’t start.

To test if your fuel pump is working properly, turn on the ignition and listen for the sound of the fuel pump running. If you don’t hear the fuel pump running, it’s likely that it’s damaged and needs to be replaced.

Ignition Issues

The ignition system is responsible for providing the spark that ignites the fuel in the engine. If there’s a problem with the ignition system, the car won’t start.

There are a few things that can cause ignition problems, including:

Faulty spark plugs
Damaged ignition coil
Broken distributor cap or rotor

To test if your ignition system is working properly, remove a spark plug from the engine and connect it to a spark plug tester. If the spark plug doesn’t spark when you crank the engine, the ignition system is likely at fault.