Car Won't Start? 10 Tips You Need to Fix It Now

Have you been concerned about missing your very best friend’s wedding because the automobile won’t start? You don’t desire to hire an Uber because the wedding gifts and your own personal luggage could easily get lost. Plus, it’s too costly to maneuver from venue to another.

If you’re a first-time car owner, don’t panic. What’s promising is as you are able to fix several car problems at home and avoid getting late for important events. Today, we’ll teach you some of the common reasons why your vehicle won’t start and how to repair them such as a pro!

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1. Car won’t start in cold weather

1. Dense motor oil

Motor oil must be vicious in order to circulate in the engine efficiently. During winter, the chilly temperatures cause motor oil to obtain so dense that it almost becomes solid. In the event that you remember about temperatures and viscosities in your senior high school Chemistry, then you understand how this works. Low temperature makes oil molecules less mobile and this is the reason it gets heavy during winter.

When this occurs, your engine cranks but won’t start. Why? Because motor oil facilitates movements of important engine parts. Without motion, there’s no internal combustion to start the car. Your solution is taking the automobile to a mechanic to drain out the oil.

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How to avoid this problem

Park your vehicle indoors – You need to steadfastly keep up a hot temperature around your vehicle at all times. Park your vehicle in an indoor garage during winter to avoid exposing your motor oil to freezing temperatures.
Check your manual to learn the right winter motor oil – Have you ever found out about winter motor oil? Its density is nearly half the regular one however, it still possesses the same effectiveness.
Change your motor oil in good time – Auto mechanics recommend getting winter oil at the least a couple of weeks before winter. This period is sufficient to drain out regular motor oil, clean the whole engine, and fill it down with winter motor oil.
Warm up your engine if yours has a carburetor – Carburetors draw in oxygen then combine it with droplets of fuel in order to make vaporized gas for internal combustion. During winter, the low temperatures affect this important process. However, in the event that you warm the engine after an overnight parking, you raise the fuel-to-oxygen ratio in the carburetor. Carrying this out improves the likelihood of internal combustion.

2. Inactive battery

This issue occurs due to parking your vehicle outside when temperatures fall below 10 degrees. Does your engine produce a faint sound once you try to start the automobile? Can be your air conditioning equipment not radio working? They are clear indicators of an inert car battery.

Exactly like motor oil, car batteries require a hot temperature at all times. Exposing them to cold weather affects the electrolyte’s ability to generate current.

The second reasons why your vehicle might have a dead battery is because of lumpy motor oil that’s not suited to winter. Why? Because the engine melts away extra energy to circulate the lumpy oil through components.

Car battery winter tips

Get your batteries tested with a mechanic – Visit a certified mechanic to inspect your vehicle battery before winter. Check the amount of your electrolyte and leaks.
Get the right winter oil – Utilizing the wrong motor oil forces your vehicle to make use of up more energy to keep your engine lubricated. You’ll receive more value from your vehicle battery by buying good winter motor oil.
Keep your jumper cables close – In the event that you happen to park your vehicle overnight and the battery gets inactive, fix this issue by jumpstarting your car. The flow of current activates your battery’s electrolyte and keeps it highly viscous.
Park your vehicle indoors – Your vehicle battery operates best within the manufacturers recommended temperature range. Look for a secure indoor garage or parking lot to guard your vehicle battery.

3. Moisture in the carburetor

Cold conditions affect the fuel-to-air ratio required to keep your engine moving. Sometimes it could possibly get so cold that moisture droplets form in the carburetor. Is this a bad thing? Yes, it is because the moisture creates sparks that initiate internal combustion when it comes into experience of vaporized car fuel. Without internal combustion, it’s impossible to start the car.

Moisture in the carburetor also affects fuel consumption. Your engine melts away lots of energy to counter the cold weather affecting internal combustion. This causes wastage because, on a regular day, the same amount of fuel would last you much longer.

Can I fix this problem?

Yes, you can. First, turn the ignition switch to ON. Then, gently press the gas pedal four times. Carrying this out escalates the fuel-to-air ratio to enhance internal combustion. Press it halfway inside then release because you don’t desire to flood the carburetor. If the automobile doesn’t start, wait for at the least half of a minute then repeat the strategy above.

When you’ve attempted this procedure but your vehicle still won’t start, you’ve excess moisture in your carburetor. Knowing your way around engines, you may need a pair of screwdrivers to dismantle it then lay it out in the sun to dry for a few hours.

4. Moisture in the fuel lines

How secure is your fuel tank? A bad fuel cap allows moisture to access the fuel lines when it’s damp outside. Raindrops can trickle inside since the faulty cap has loose fitting threads. Moisture in the fuel lines affects the production of sufficient gas-to-oxygen ratio to start the engine.

You’ll notice some indicators of moisture before your vehicle won’t start. One is an increased rate of fuel consumption since the engine has to make use of up lots of fuel to counter the moisture affecting internal combustion.

How to fix this problem

Drain out the fuel – When you have a bad fuel cap and you parked the automobile outside through the rain, fuel becomes unusable. It’s painful to watch your gas drop the drain however this approach prevents your fuel tank from rusting. Draining your fuel also prevents moisture from accumulating in the carburetor.
Dry the fuel tank – One means of drying your tank is by eliminating the fuel cap and let your vehicle sit in the sun for many hours. Make sure you will find no open flames around because fumes coming from the tank may cause an explosion. Knowing just how to dismantle fuel tanks, you are able to take it off so that it has a better experience of the sun.
Purchase a fuel additive – Fuel additives can help you eliminate moisture inside your gas tank. Before purchasing, consult together with your mechanic because additives are suitable when there’s low moisture content in your fuel tank. It won’t help you in the event that you recently drove your vehicle through flooded water.

5. Car won’t start after the rain

If you own a car that doesn’t have a computerized engine, then your vehicle works on the distributor to circulate electrical current. It’s located close to the air filter and has a round black covering. That is where you’ll find your car’s spark plugs.

If the automobile has a ruined hood, raindrops come into experience of the coil connecting the distributor together with your ignition. This creates a short circuit when you try to start the car. This is exactly why your vehicle won’t start but has power.

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How to fix a car that won’t start after the rain

Let the automobile dry – Park your vehicle somewhere warm and dry for several hours. You will need a dry cotton cloth to wipe off raindrops from your own distributor to stop short circuits.
Check whether there’s water in your oil – Your motor oil pump cannot function when there’s high water content in the oil. If your vehicle doesn’t start after drying the distributor, take away the oil dipstick to check for just about any moisture. If you learn the clear presence of water, you will have to drain out the bad oil immediately.
Eliminate the spark plugs – If water got inside your distributor, you may get reduce it and get your engine running within a short time. First, open your distributor and remove most of the spark plugs. Then, ask a pal to start the engine and you’ll see water sputtering from the spark plug tube holds.

2. Anti-theft system won’t let my car start

Let’s look at a number of the common reasons that make antitheft systems render your vehicle immobile for no good reason.

1. Damaged car key

When a thief attempts to get entry inside your vehicle using a fake key, the antitheft system immobilizes your engine to avoid theft. Sometimes, children tend to obtain curious and attempt to see if they can gain entry by inserting sticks or wires as part of your door lock. Unfortunately, your antitheft system interprets this as attempts of forced entry.

Did your vehicle key recently fall inside water? Car keys contain special chips that enable antitheft systems to detect owners. Water affects this chips and this makes it hard or impossible for an anti-theft system to distinguish you as the vehicle owner.

When you have a negative car key, get an alternative from the auto manufacturer.

2. Issues with the car ignition

The antitheft system also offers special sensors in a car’s ignition switch that helps it to recognize car owners. If a child inserted matchsticks or straws, your engine becomes inactive because the antitheft system believes someone is wanting to steal your car.

You can fix this issue by inserting your vehicle key then turn on the engine. Let the key stay static in this position for at the least 10 minutes. This permits your antitheft system to learn and authenticate the chip in your vehicle key.

3. Faulty programming

Some auto manufacturers outsource the creation of antitheft systems to software development companies as a result of handful of reasons. It’s cost-effective because the auto manufacturer doesn’t hire any software programmers. Second, software developers have the right experience and resources to generate digital antitheft systems.

Outsourcing doesn’t always produce the very best products. Sometimes, the antitheft system might contain software bugs that immobilize your engine for no reason. You can fix this temporarily by disconnecting your vehicle battery for 15 minutes in order to reset the computerized engine.

After your vehicle starts, drive to the nearest auto manufacturer dealership. The mechanic will either disable your antitheft system or upgrade it to a better one.

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3. Damaged fuel pump

The fuel pump draws gas from the fuel tank and circulates it to your engine. You can tell whether your vehicle includes a bad pump if the engine cranks but won’t start. Your vehicle might surge forward unexpectedly while driving. This happens because the fuel pump sputters gas rather than delivering a steady smooth flow to your engine.

Before long, the vehicle tends to overheat and stalls frequently. You’ll also spot the fuel gauge getting inaccurate due to the inconsistent delivery of gas from your own pump.

How to fix a damaged fuel pump

Check the fuel pump fuses – You will discover the fuse box inside the engine. Use your vehicle manual because each model has a unique engine design. If it is a blown fuse, you can easily fix it at home.
Inspect the pump’s wires – Eliminate the backseat and inspect wires leading to the fuel pump for almost any damages
Discover whether there’s gas flowing to your engine – Use a fuel pressure gauge checker offered by local auto accessories shops. Switch off the car. Screw the fuel pressure gauge checker on the Fuel test pressure port. Start the engine and have someone check whether there’s any reading on the pressure gauge checker.

In the event that you suspect a damaged fuel tank, you will have to visit a qualified mechanic.

4. Faulty starter

Are you worried because your vehicle won’t start however the lights seriously? You’ve probably heard an audible buzz or loud click when your car key is in the START position. Buzzing occurs because the solenoid cannot engage the flywheel with sufficient force as a result of low current.

A breach in the starter causes lights to work however the electric current cannot activate the engine. The loud click occurs when electric current attempts to activate a negative motor.

How to test

Turn the engine on, pop the hood, and work with a jumpstart pack to see if there’s power in your vehicle battery. Connect the clips to the battery terminals and observe. Ensure they’re dry. Check whether there’s electric current coming from your starter. Eliminate the air intake and place a test light on the wire linking to the starter solenoid. You need a friend to test the test light as you start the engine.

If you know how to dismantle engines, you can get another starter then replace the damaged one at your home garage.

5. Worn out spark plugs

Spark plugs initiate combustion by converting electric energy transmitted from the ignition coil into a spark. This ignites with vaporized gas combined with oxygen to activate and keep the engine running. How often should you check your spark plugs? After each 50,000 miles.

The engine misfires because wires connecting your starter to the ignition might get damaged. This causes a waste in fuel consumption because your engine doesn’t burn all the vaporized fuel combined with oxygen. Slow acceleration because the spark plug converts a lowered number of electric current into sparks for burning the fuel.

How to inspect worn out spark plugs

Inspect the gap – Check the gap where the spark appears. It ought to be within your auto manufacturer’s recommended range. Always take away the spark plugs when your engine is cold. Like the morning after an overnight parking. Dismantling an engine while it’s hot can cause one to break wires accidentally.
Would be the spark plug wires okay? – Check for scorch marks or dripping oil on the spark plug wires.
Remove damaged plugs – Replace bad spark plugs with those created from Iridium. In the event that you recently had an alternative, check whether there’s oil or any type of lubrication. Wipe them dry as it causes unnecessary movement that makes it hard to produce sparks consistently.

Don’t forget to test whether they’re screwed tightly. If not, work with a wrench.

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6. Car battery issues

You can tell a car battery is out if it had been okay but these morning, the engine cranks and you see dim headlights. You’ll also see the lower battery light on your own dashboard.

Have you jumpstarted your battery at the least three times this week? If you’ve used your vehicle battery for a lot more than 36 months, the battery is past it’s prime. You’ll want to get a new battery. Super easy to remove the old and place in a new one.

How to detect battery problems

If you own an old model car that doesn’t have a computerized system, you’ll need a test light to see if there is a power leak. Switch off your vehicle to avoid electrocution then take away the negative terminal. Connect one end of the test light and place the pointed side on your own battery. A gentle indicates a battery drain.

For modern cars, you’ll need to generate an improvised switch using crocodile clips and a 1-OHM 10 Watt resistor. Connect the wires with a couple of crocodile clips to opposite ends of the 1-OHM resistor in order to build a circuit. Unplug your vehicle battery then connect your improvised circuit. Connect a voltmeter close to the resistor and check its reading. In the event that you see a current of more than 3.6 volts, the battery is certainly losing power. Open the fuse box and pick out fuses 1 by 1 while observing the readings on your own voltmeter. When it drops below 3.6 volts, you’ll identify the component causing this power drain.

Would you suspect a leaking battery acid? Switch off your vehicle then use a couple of work gloves to remove the battery. The gloves prevent any leaking acid from corroding your fingers when lifting and inspecting the vehicle battery. See if you’ll find any cracks or bulges on the casing. If you do, purchase a new car battery.

New battery car won’t start?

Check your starter.
Check wires leading to your distributor.
Inspect your spark plugs.

7. Contaminated gas

A faulty fuel cap allows water to obtain as part of your fuel tank when it rains or inside a moving car wash. When it mixes with fuel, it deteriorates the grade of gas. How? this mixture cannot vaporize at the same temperature as ordinary fuel. So, your vehicle engine requires more fuel than necessary to compensate because of this deficiency.

Foreign particles inside the fuel tank also hinder the fuel pump from effectively distributing gas to the carburetor. They clog pipes whenever a driver drives a car on really low fuel.

8. A faulty ignition switch

The ignition activates your engine and other electronics by distributing electric current when you start the car. When you yourself have a negative ignition switch, your vehicle stalls right after starting as a result of an inconsistent power supply. Additionally, it may occur while driving.

How will you detect a faulty ignition switch? Use a cop probe tester to see if your current is flowing from the distributor to the spark plugs. It resembles a fly swatter. Next, turn the engine on and your headlights. Start the vehicle to observe if the lights go dim or off briefly. If they do not, obtain a new ignition switch.

9. A bad rebuilt title car

A rebuilt title car is really a vehicle that’s been renovated after losing a lot more than 50% of its value in an accident or natural disaster such as floods. Repaired engines consist of both new and aged parts and this brings about incompatibility issues. Having a repaired title car is stressful because it seems to develop different mechanical problems every day.