Contents
Car Won’t Start: Check Engine Light On
Possible Causes
There are many possible causes for a car to not start when the check engine light is on. Some of the most common causes include:
- Dead battery
- Bad starter
- Faulty alternator
- Fuel system problems
- Ignition system problems
- ECU problems
How to Diagnose the Problem
If your car won’t start and the check engine light is on, the first step is to try to diagnose the problem. You can do this by:
- Checking the battery voltage
- Inspecting the starter
- Testing the alternator
- Checking for fuel flow
- Inspecting the spark plugs
- Reading the trouble codes from the ECU
How to Fix the Problem
Once you have diagnosed the problem, you can begin to fix it. The repair process will vary depending on the cause of the problem. However, some common repairs include:
- Replacing the battery
- Replacing the starter
- Replacing the alternator
- Fixing fuel system problems
- Fixing ignition system problems
- Reprogramming the ECU
Prevention
There are a few things you can do to prevent your car from not starting in the future:
- Keep your battery charged
- Have your starter inspected regularly
- Have your alternator tested regularly
- Fix fuel system problems as soon as possible
- Fix ignition system problems as soon as possible
- Have your ECU checked for any problems
Conclusion
If your car won’t start and the check engine light is on, it is important to diagnose and fix the problem as soon as possible. By following the steps in this guide, you can get your car back on the road in no time.
