Car Won't Start ? Here’s a Look at What Might Be Going On.
When your car won’t start, you can likely do little more than curse your bad luck and call for a ride. There’s often just too much to it to accurately track down the problem on your own. Sure, cars just need the right mix of fuel, air, and spark to run, but keeping them firing up right away every time is a lot more complex than that.
Thankfully, your trusted auto techs at Little Wolf Auto likely have the answers you seek and can help you get back on your way fast. To help you better understand what’s up, here’s a look at the most likely issues causing your car to not start up on demand.
The Battery Has No Juice
If your battery doesn’t have any juice, spark is just not happening – and with that, your car won’t start. Your battery could have no charge thanks to a malfunctioning alternator or due to accidentally leaving your dome light on overnight. Batteries can also just reach the end of their three- to five-year service life and go bad all on their own. You can get a jump and see if it charges, likely ruling out the alternator, but if that doesn’t work, then you likely need a new battery.
Ignition Switch is Kaput
As you turn the key or push the button, your ignition switch should work its magic, triggering your engine to start right up. But if it has gone bad, then the switch will fail to send power to the starter solenoid, ignition coil, and ECU. Then, your car will ignore your call to start, though you’ll likely notice that your dash lights still come on.
Starter Doesn’t Want to Turn
If your battery generates power and your ignition switch sends it to the starter, but still nothing happens, then you may have a bad starter. This vital electric motor gets everything spinning, starting with the flywheel, so your car can fire right up as needed. If it doesn’t spin to life, nothing else will, leaving you with a hollow clicking sound and not a bit more.
Fuel Filter Has a Clog
As your electrical system fires to life, it needs fuel to flow freely into all the right areas to fully start the engine. Unfortunately, your fuel filter can clog up tight, leaving nary a drip on its way to the combustion chambers. Clogged lines or a bad fuel pump can also gum up the works, so it’s important to figure out where the bottleneck is before diving into the repair process.
Gas Tank is on E
The fact of the matter is that if your gas tank is empty, then your car won’t start. This problem is easy to overlook because it is so obvious. And before you know it, you’re standing in the shop wondering how you ended up in this predicament. But don’t feel bad, it happens to everyone at least once in their lives. Thankfully, it’s equally easy to fix. A full tank of gas and you’ll be on your way before you know it.
Need Help Figuring Out Why Your Car Won’t Start?
If your car won’t start, you can get the help you need from our team at Little Wolf Auto in Waupaca WI. Our auto techs will happily diagnose and fix the issue to get you back on the road – and fast. If you need to be on your way in the meantime, we have a loaner car for you to use. Just let us know. To get your car on the schedule, give us a call at 715-258-0200 or schedule your appointment online.
