Car won't start: what now?

Frits Pieper
16 jun 2016

It never works out: you have a car that you use a lot (or a little). Just when you have to leave for an important appointment, it doesn't work. Here's a little first aid if your car won't start.

Car won't start: the battery?

This can have several causes: a defective spark plug, a bad battery? Let's start at the beginning. If the car does not respond at all when you try to start it, check if there is a warning light on your dashboard. If not, it means that the battery is flat.

But is this the cause or a consequence? In this case, you can have the car driven by a friend or neighbor jump start. Check whether you have left a power consumer on (for example the lights). If this is not the case, it is wise to have the battery tested at a garage. An old battery often fails when it starts to get colder. And if the dynamo light comes on while driving, you are immediately aware of the problem: the battery is no longer being charged.

The battery works just fine

If the battery is not the problem, and there is enough power, but nothing happens, then it could be that your starter motor has failed. Usually you only hear a click when starting. That is the relay, and that means that the starter motor is defective. You can buy a new or reconditioned starter motor at a garage. In the latter case, you can leave the old starter motor behind and usually receive a discount, or you go to the nearest car scrapyard. They usually have something on the shelf (unless you have a very rare car).

If the starter motor works but the engine does not start, it may be that a spark plug is broken, but then the engine should have been running badly before that. It may also be that the engine is not getting any fuel. This is easy to determine. The fuel pump is located on top of your tank (in the back of the car) and when you turn on the ignition, you can hear the fuel pump humming near the back seat. If this is the case, the fuel pump is not broken and the cause lies elsewhere. Also check the air filter; it may be clogged by vermin or something similar. Check the spark plug cables, there may be cracks in them that prevent the spark plug from sparking. Or check the fuel hose, it may also have dry cracks. In this case, there will be a strong smell of petrol or diesel in and around the car.

The car still won't start

Because most cars are so advanced with sensors, meters and computers and all the electronics that are in a car these days, it is advisable to tow the car to a garage or have it towed. Every garage has a computer with which he can read your car. Based on his findings you can always decide whether to have the repair done or do it yourself. Then you only have to pay the costs of towing and reading.

If you're not sure why your car won't start, here's another great tip: an article with sound to listen to what could be going on.

Rent a car in Susteren and surroundings? At Adrem we have a 100% transport guarantee, so if the car won't start we will pick you up.

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