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Possible Reasons Why Your Car Won’t Just Start

A common woe that every car owner may have experienced once or more is that their car won’t just start. Imagine what can happen if you have an important meeting in the office or your first date and you can’t simply move your car. Or what if it stops in the middle of the road and refuses to start again. There couldn’t be a worse situation! Still, you need to be aware of the possible causes so that you can explain the problem to a repair expert and get help. While the problem could be as simple as an empty gas tank, there could be more complex issues that absolutely require professional help. Let us highlight some possible reasons why your car won’t start.

Dead battery 

A dead battery is perhaps one of the most common reasons for vehicles failing to start. Batteries can die due to diverse reasons, from a loose wire to aging, lights being left on overnight or water inside the component evaporating. Whatever the cause may be, a dead battery can leave you in a major fix. Conversely, if the battery is only weak, rather than totally dead, you will notice that the starter turns slowly. You can test to verify a battery problem by jump-starting the car. You probably have a dying battery if the jump-start works. Consider a replacement if the battery is dead or cleaning the connections if it seems weak.

Clogged fuel filter

A clogged fuel filter is a major issue because it prevents the gasoline from reaching the engine, which will obviously put the vehicle out of action. It is natural for the filter to get blocked because all sorts of dirt and unwanted items reach the engine as the fuel travels from the tank. These foreign impurities gradually build up to restrict the fuel flow. Ideally, filters need to be replaced every 20,000 to 40,000 miles to keep your car in great condition. Keep track of the last time you did it and get a replacement when you deem necessary. 

closeup photo of vehicle engine

Blocked air filter

Like a clogged fuel filter, a blocked air filter can also bring your vehicle to a standstill. As you drive your car in routine, the air filter sucks up grease, road dust and all sorts of impurities. Over the years and miles, these accumulate as debris in the air filters and cut down the flow of air. Without air, the fuel cannot ignite, which means that there is no combustion to get your car started. A quick replacement of the air filter ensures cleaner air and resolution of all starting problems.

Faulty starter 

A broken starter could be responsible for the vehicle not starting up. A starter basically sets the engine in motion as soon as you turn on the ignition switch. Obviously, you cannot expect the engine to crank properly (or crank at all) if the starter goes bad. A clicking noise while starting your vehicle is an indication of a weakened or broken starter. The car will probably not start when you turn the ignition key. Another sign that you should look out for is a loud noise when you try to start the car. 

opened orange car engine baty

Faulty spark plugs

Faulty spark plugs could be another cause of a vehicle's inability to start. This is a small issue that can cause big trouble for you. The only way to resolve it is by calling a los angeles mobile mechanic to get an immediate spark plug replacement for your vehicle. Often, automobile owners end up with this issue because they often overlook spark plug replacement as a part of their maintenance schedule. But this is something you need to be careful about. 

Steering wheel lock

Occasionally, you can get into trouble when the steering wheel gets locked. In such a situation, you will be unable to start the car because the key will fail to turn in the ignition. The steering wheel will get locked on removing the key, as a part of the anti-theft feature in modern vehicles. However complicated it sounds; the problem is easy to resolve. You can try nudging the steering wheel right or left while turning the key. This will probably resolve the problem as the anti-theft lock feature releases. So you can now turn the key and start the car in seconds!

macro photography of car steering wheel

Empty fuel tank

Like a locked steering wheel, another not-so-serious problem that can make your stop is an empty fuel tank. Car owners tend to be lazy and delay fuel fill-ups just because they rely completely on the modern dashboards that show the figures. But things may go wrong with these numbers and you may suddenly run out of fuel when least expected. Though an empty gas tank does not sound like a big deal, it can be a major blunder when your car refuses to start right at the beginning of a busy day. The only tip for addressing this concern is to check the needle and refuel your vehicle well in time.  

Problems with electronics 

Although innovation has myriad advantages, there are several downsides associated with it as well. For example, modern automotive technologies such as remote starting devices and remote keyless entry are amazing but they bring their own share of problems for vehicle owners. Even missing keys can be a big challenge because there is no other alternative to open the vehicle and get it started. Similarly, even a small problem with electronics can cause havoc and nothing but professional help from an expert professional can get the vehicle started again.

The reasons why your car may not just start are diverse, ranging from the simplest to the most complex ones. The best approach would be to know your vehicle well enough so that you can decide when to call for professional help. Most of the time, you will need an expert to address the issue but preventive maintenance is equally important to avoid such problems in the first place.