Tag: Car Not Start
What To Check When Your Car Won't Start – Part II
by admin on Nov.10, 2008, under Car Maintenance, Car Tips
What To Check When Your Car Won’t Start – Part II
There are plenty of parts under the hood that can prevent your car from starting. When any of them act up, locating the cause of the problem can be difficult. Last time, I described how the problem could potentially be with your battery, ignition switch, or a malfunctioning starter. Those parts are usually the easiest to check which is why mechanics often recommending checking them first.
But, let’s assume that your battery is fully-charged, and your starter and ignition switch are working properly. What else could be causing the issue? Today, I’ll describe a few more car parts that you should check while hunting for the problem.
The Ignition System
In most cases, the reason why your car won’t start is because the engine is not receiving an electrical current. Specifically, the spark is probably not being created. The next stop is your car’s ignition system. The first part of the system you’ll want to check is the ignition coil. Ideally, you should test it with a multimeter. As long as you know the resistance specs of your coil, you can use the multimeter to measure its ability to carry a current.
The next component to check is your car’s distributor cap. In my experience, the cap is seldom the problem. That said, it’s not uncommon for moisture to collect during the rainy season. It’s possible for this moisture to prevent the voltage transfer. Take the cap off and wipe it down to get rid of any moisture.
The Fuel System
By now, most of the easy parts have been checked. If you haven’t found the problem in your car’s ignition system, it’s likely in the fuel system. Checking the system completely will require taking you car to a repair shop. However, there are a few components that you can check at home. A lot of cars today have fuel injection systems. Before anything else, check all of the connections to make sure they’re snug. If they are, pressure test your fuel pump if you have the tools (most people don’t). If you don’t have the tools, a mechanic will need to do it.
Next, put your key in the ignition and put it in the “on” position. Then, use a circuit tester to measure whether the electrical current in the fuel pump is sufficient. If the tester identifies a current, the reason your car won’t start may be because of a bad pump relay. If you’ve checked all of those things without finding a problem, the fuel filter might be backed up or blocked. They’re inexpensive (usually under $20), so consider replacing it.
At this point, there’s very little else that you can diagnose at home. You probably won’t have the necessary tools you’ll need to check other components and parts. But, many of the issues that prevent cars from starting can be traced to the parts that I’ve described in this article and in the previous installment. If you can fix the problem on your own, you’ll save time and money.
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What To Check When Your Car Won't Start: Part I
by admin on Nov.10, 2008, under Car Maintenance, Car Tips
What To Check When Your Car Won’t Start: Part I
When you turn the ignition and your car fails to start, the feeling is a mixture of dread and growing anger. Not only is the problem inconvenient, but it all but promises a large repair bill. The fact is, there’s a lot that could be causing the problem. Unless you’re a trained mechanic, identifying and fixing the problem yourself may not be feasible. That said, if you approach the issue methodically, you may actually find the root of the problem. Below, I’ll provide a bird’s eye view of how you can troubleshoot a car that refuses to start.
Start Simple
Even veteran technicians will first look at potential causes that are both simple and obvious. You should do the same. Begin by looking for buildup on the battery posts. Grime and corrosive material can accumulate over time. When it does, it can prevent your battery from sending a current to your starting system. Disconnect the cables and clean the part that connects to your battery’s posts. Then, clean the posts themselves. Reconnect the cables and try starting your car again.
It’s also possible that your battery has died. You can measure the ampage or have someone jump start your car to verify whether that’s the problem.
Next In Line
Assuming your battery is not causing the starting problem, you’ll need to check the ignition switch. It’s not as difficult as many people think. Stick the key into the ignition and turn it halfway. In this position, you should see warning lights on your dashboard. If you don’t, that implies that the ignition switch is malfunctioning.
Another way to check it is to turn your car’s lights on and then attempt to start the engine. If there’s a reduction in the light output, it’s likely that your ignition switch is not the problem. However, if there’s no change in the light output, you’ll probably need a new switch.
Check The Starter
Next, test your starter’s connection. As part of your car’s electrical system, it’s susceptible to the buildup of corrosion (similar to your battery’s posts). If you see any corrosive material, try to clean it off. Then, use a circuit tester to check whether the starter is receiving a current. If it is, but you don’t notice anything moving, you may have just identified the reason why your car isn’t starting.
Part II: Coming Soon
The car parts that I’ve described above are the easiest to check when your car won’t start. Believe it or not, checking the battery, ignition, and starter resolves the problem in a huge number of cases. However, it’s also possible that the reason your car won’t start is found deeper under the hood. In part II, we’ll explore some of these potential roadblocks.