Why Won’t My Car Engine Turn Over?

Introduction

When you turn the key in your ignition and nothing happens, it can be a very frustrating experience. There are a number of reasons why your car engine may not be turning over, and it can be difficult to know where to start troubleshooting the problem.

Common Causes of Engine Not Turning Over

• Dead battery: This is the most common reason why a car engine won’t turn over. If your battery is dead, there will not be enough power to start the engine. You can check the battery by using a voltmeter to measure the voltage. If the voltage is below 12 volts, the battery is likely dead and will need to be replaced.
• Loose or corroded battery terminals: The battery terminals are the connection between the battery and the starter. If the terminals are loose or corroded, they will not be able to conduct electricity properly and the engine will not be able to start. You can clean the terminals with a wire brush and tighten them with a wrench.
• Faulty starter: The starter is the electric motor that turns the engine over. If the starter is faulty, it will not be able to engage with the flywheel and start the engine. You can test the starter by hitting it with a hammer while someone else tries to start the engine. If the engine starts, the starter is likely faulty and will need to be replaced.
• Faulty ignition switch: The ignition switch is the switch that turns on the electrical system in the car. If the ignition switch is faulty, it will not be able to send power to the starter and the engine will not be able to start. You can test the ignition switch by using a voltmeter to measure the voltage at the starter. If there is no voltage, the ignition switch is likely faulty and will need to be replaced.
• Faulty fuel pump: The fuel pump is the pump that sends fuel from the gas tank to the engine. If the fuel pump is faulty, it will not be able to deliver fuel to the engine and the engine will not be able to start. You can test the fuel pump by listening for a humming sound when you turn the key to the “on” position. If you do not hear a humming sound, the fuel pump is likely faulty and will need to be replaced.

How to Troubleshoot Engine Not Turning Over

If your car engine is not turning over, you can follow these steps to troubleshoot the problem:

1. Check the battery voltage. If the voltage is below 12 volts, the battery is likely dead and will need to be replaced.
2. Clean the battery terminals and tighten them with a wrench.
3. Hit the starter with a hammer while someone else tries to start the engine. If the engine starts, the starter is likely faulty and will need to be replaced.
4. Use a voltmeter to measure the voltage at the starter. If there is no voltage, the ignition switch is likely faulty and will need to be replaced.
5. Listen for a humming sound when you turn the key to the “on” position. If you do not hear a humming sound, the fuel pump is likely faulty and will need to be replaced.

Conclusion

If you have tried all of the above steps and your car engine still will not turn over, you may need to take it to a mechanic for further diagnosis.