It's a terrible experience when you plan to go to work with your car — get behind the wheel, turn the key, and it doesn't start. Almost every car owner has experienced this kind of frustration. However, there are a few things that can go wrong with your car, but no need to worry, there is a solution for almost every problem. To help you, we've put together five reasons why your car won't start and some advice to ensure your vehicle stays in its top shape: 

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1. Dead battery

The battery is what provides electrical power to the entire car, and it may be the reason why your car won't start. Car batteries can run out if there is some electrical issue that is draining the battery or if you leave your lights on. You will not be able to start the car or use any electrical components if the battery is dead. One way you can test to see if the battery is the problem by jump-starting your vehicle. If the jump-start works, then you're most likely dealing with a dying battery.

 

  2. Bad ignition switch

You might have a problem with the ignition switch if you know your battery is working correctly. The work of the ignition switch is to send a signal to the battery to start the car, and a faulty switch will not behave as usual when you turn the key halfway. Monitor your dashboard lights; the engine will keep cranking while the lights stay off when the ignition switch is faulty. Checking is the coil is the first thing you need to do if you want to troubleshoot the ignition system.

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  3. Bad starter

A broken starter is another common reason why your car won't start. It's very similar to the bad ignition switch. A starter is a small motor that starts the engine by drawing electrical current from the battery. When a starter malfunctions, you may hear a clicking noise when you try to start your vehicle. Sometimes, the problem is in loose connections, or replacement may be necessary. Jump-starting a car may work for starter problems, but not guaranteed.

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  4. Empty tank

Empty petrol tank could be the reason why your car is not starting. It's sometimes easy to forget that your fuel tank needs to be refilled when driving around all the time. The solution here is getting more fuel if your car doesn't have enough fuel left in the tank to start.

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  5. Clogged fuel filter

A blocked or clogged fuel filter means that fuel can't reach the engine which, translate to your engine won't be able to burn the fuel it needs to start. As a general rule of thumb, fuel filters should be changed every 20,000 to 40,000 miles (sooner if you drive on gravel or dirt) and changed at the appropriate service times to prevent this becoming an issue.

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What Do I Need To Do If My Car Won't Start?

Depending on the problem behind your car failing to start, you may be able to fix the issue yourself or have auto repair shops near you to diagnose and assess the problem. If you need assistance with getting your car up and running, you can rely on NYCity Automotive experienced auto repair technicians.