You’ve got a busy day at work or an exciting event that you’ve had planned with your friends for weeks. You head out to the car and put the keys in the ignition, only to find that your car won’t start.
There’s nothing worse than a non-starting vehicle when you rely on it for almost everything. Whether you’re heading to work or a friend’s house, it’s often impossible and very impracticable to get there by an alternative mode of transport.
There are lots of different reasons why your car might not start. In this article, we’re going to run through some of the main causes, from a dead battery to an empty tank, and how you can overcome the problem to get your car started.
Dead Battery
A dead battery is by far the most common reason why a car won’t start. Although most cars have a warning light that signals when the battery is dying, batteries can go faulty and die without warning.
The main causes of a dead battery are general wear and tear, electrical faults in the vehicle, or a fault with one of the battery components. Not driving your car for a long period of time can also cause the battery to lose charge and die.
If you suspect that your car battery is dead, use a battery tester to check the power. Use jump leads to fire the battery up so you can get started with your day. Your battery might need to be replaced if it continually goes dead.
Battery Corrosion
Corrosion is another common battery problem. If your battery has corroded, it can pose a safety risk and may require some professional help.
Take look at the battery and check to see if there are any wires or tubes that require attention. Clean the battery posts and check to see if your car will restart.
If there is excessive corrosion, you may need to call a professional to take a look. You might end up needing a brand-new car battery.
Steering Lock
If the key won’t turn when it’s in the ignition, it may be due to a problem with the steering lock. Usually, this type of problem arises when the steering wheel is in a full lock position as you park up.
To overcome problems with the steering lock in your car, try turning the wheel ever so slightly as you turn the key in your ignition. This should free up the steering lock and allow your car to start.
Engine Problems
When there are problems with the mechanics inside your vehicle, it can cause the engine to stop working properly. As a result, your car might not start.
Common mechanical problems include issues with the vehicle’s timing belt, which functions to open and close the engine’s valves at the correct times. If this fails, it can cause significant damage to your engine. To prevent this damage from occurring, your vehicle will fail to start.
