Waking up in the morning and ready to head to work, but your car won’t start? There are a multitude of reasons that can cause your car to malfunction or fail to start. If your car won’t start, it may be hard to diagnose quickly, especially if you don’t know your way around an engine. This blog will share some top tips on how you can get your car to start in a pinch, but taking the vehicle into an auto repair shop can help better diagnose the problem and look for deeper issues.
Try To Jump-Start The Battery
When a car won’t start, your first step and automatic reaction is to find someone to jump your car. There are many reasons your battery can stall or fail, especially if you have left the lights on. Once you find someone to help you jump-start the battery and the car starts, take the vehicle to an auto repair shop to see if you need a completely new battery or if it just needs to be charged.
Wiggle The Steering Wheel
If your battery is in good shape but you are unable to turn the key, it could be a jammed ignition switch. When your car won’t start, try wiggling your steering wheel while turning the key to help unjam the switch. Since this switch controls the power flow to your vehicle’s electrical system, an internal problem may cause the system to lock for safety. Another issue could be a worn-out key, which isn’t strong enough or long enough to turn the switch. Try using your spare key if wiggling the wheel doesn’t allow the key to turn.
Check If Your Spark Plugs Are Rusty
Another common reason for cars to have a failed start is due to faulty spark plugs. Spark plugs can become dirty and rusty, which stops the spark plug from making the connection to the engine. This step will take more effort and time to complete, so if spark plugs are the culprit, you may not be able to drive your car for a few hours or a day. If the plugs are rusty, they will need to be replaced in order to work properly. These can typically be purchased at an auto store and replaced on your own.
Check Your Battery Fob
Another common reason why your car won’t start is a dead battery in a key fob. If you have an electronic “push-to-start” vehicle, a dead battery could be the cause of your problem. When the car doesn’t detect the key, your vehicle won’t start in order to protect you from theft. Most of us forget about our key fob until it stops working, so changing out the battery or trying your spare fob could help get the car started when you are running late. Key fobs often need special batteries, so keeping some on hand for situations like this can save you from a rough start to the day.
Make Sure The Car Is In Park
Many drivers fall victim to leaving a car in gear at least once in their driving career, but this could be the cause of a failure to start. If the car is not in park but in reverse, neutral, or drive, the vehicle has a safety feature to prevent the engine from starting and causing accidents due to movement. Make sure to shift your car into park before attempting to turn your key again.
Take The Vehicle To Your Local Repair Shop
There are multiple parts, systems, and components that help a vehicle to operate, which means that the average user may not be able to solve the problem on their own. If your car won’t start, even after trying the solutions listed above, getting your car to a repair shop or calling a mechanic for help is the next best option. Speaking with a mechanic on the phone and telling them what you have already tried may be helpful, especially because they may be able to hear noises from the vehicle while on the phone.
Finding a way to get to a local repair shop without being able to start the car can be difficult and may require a tow truck or car hauler. Repair shops will be able to diagnose the problem by looking at internal components and replacing broken parts. If your car won’t start and these simple tricks won’t do, it is best to schedule an appointment with your repair shop.
Repairs From Paskett Auto
Our team at Paskett Auto is ready to serve our customers with efficient car repairs. We know that vehicle problems or breakdowns are never something you want to deal with, but when you bring your vehicle to us, we will have you back on the road in no time. Located in Roy, Utah, we focus on high-quality repairs for different makes and models. From simple repairs to more complex needs like suspension or new tires, we are your one-stop shop for all your vehicle needs. Give us a call to schedule your appointment today!
