Things to Check If Your Car Won't Start!
If your car won’t start, and before you call a tow truck to take you to the nearest auto shop for an inconvenient car repair, a little bit of effort on your part can save your auto mechanic a lot of time trying to guess what happened and why. You might actually find the problem yourself and avoid a costly car service.
If your Vehicle Won’t Start, Here are Some 4 Simple Things to Check:
- Check your headlights. If they are on and bright, then the battery is working efficiently. Most likely there is a problem with the starter, or there is something hampering the course of the electricity from the battery to the starter. The starter takes electricity from the battery and turns the engine over to start the piston explosion process. If the starter is faulty then a car repair is going to be necessary.
- If the motor turns over like it is trying to start, but it won't start, check the fuel gauge to make sure you have not run out of gas. Do you have compression? Does the engine sound like it is turning over fully, or does it sound too fast or too slow? A broken timing belt or chain will cause the engine to turn over very easily and very fast because the compression process is not taking place. A car repair is absolutely necessary if this is the case.
- Is it in PARK? The engine will only start in park and neutral. If the vehicle is a stick shift, do you have the clutch pedal depressed?
- Are the front tires up against the curb? Sometimes it is hard to turn the key if the tires are in a bind on a curb, or if the car has rolled back a bit after placed in PARK. In this case, turn the steering wheel real hard to the right, or try to physically move or rock it forward to release the key.
At this point you have ruled out the battery, the starter, lack of fuel, gear you’re in, and position of the tires. If your car still won’t start, a car maintenance is inevitable and it is time to call a tow truck. When you call for help, be specific about the nature of the "no start" problem you've experienced. Saving your mechanic time should save you dollars on a car repair.
Need a car service performed by qualified auto mechanics? Contact our expert ASE-Certified Technicians today at our Elk River auto center by calling (763) 441-2889 Our auto shop in Elk River MN, also proudly serves residents in the areas of Zimmerman, MN, and Otsego, Minnesota.
If your car won’t start, and before you call a tow truck to take you to the nearest auto shop for an inconvenient car repair, a little bit of effort on your part can save your auto mechanic a lot of time trying to guess what happened and why. You might actually find the problem yourself and avoid a costly car service.
If your Vehicle Won’t Start, Here are Some 4 Simple Things to Check:
- Check your headlights. If they are on and bright, then the battery is working efficiently. Most likely there is a problem with the starter, or there is something hampering the course of the electricity from the battery to the starter. The starter takes electricity from the battery and turns the engine over to start the piston explosion process. If the starter is faulty then a car repair is going to be necessary.
- If the motor turns over like it is trying to start, but it won't start, check the fuel gauge to make sure you have not run out of gas. Do you have compression? Does the engine sound like it is turning over fully, or does it sound too fast or too slow? A broken timing belt or chain will cause the engine to turn over very easily and very fast because the compression process is not taking place. A car repair is absolutely necessary if this is the case.
- Is it in PARK? The engine will only start in park and neutral. If the vehicle is a stick shift, do you have the clutch pedal depressed?
- Are the front tires up against the curb? Sometimes it is hard to turn the key if the tires are in a bind on a curb, or if the car has rolled back a bit after placed in PARK. In this case, turn the steering wheel real hard to the right, or try to physically move or rock it forward to release the key.
At this point you have ruled out the battery, the starter, lack of fuel, gear you’re in, and position of the tires. If your car still won’t start, a car maintenance is inevitable and it is time to call a tow truck. When you call for help, be specific about the nature of the "no start" problem you've experienced. Saving your mechanic time should save you dollars on a car repair.
Need a car service performed by qualified auto mechanics? Contact our expert ASE-Certified Technicians today at our Elk River auto center by calling (763) 441-2889 Our auto shop in Elk River MN, also proudly serves residents in the areas of Zimmerman, MN, and Otsego, Minnesota.
