Here’s What To Do If Your Car Won’t Start

Man starting the car

Your car typically starts on demand, so it comes as a shock when it doesn’t. Your head starts spinning, thinking of all the possible reasons it won’t start. Before you call a tow truck, go over some common reasons that a car won’t start. Depending on the cause, you might be able to fix the problem at home without spending any money.

No Sound or Lights

If the car doesn’t make a sound and the lights don’t come on when trying to start your car, you likely have a battery problem. Often, the battery is dead and will recharge with a jumpstart. If it starts when you jump it, let it run for 20 minutes to recharge. Batteries that are still in good condition will hold the charge and won’t need replacing. However, if it doesn’t maintain the charge, you’ll need to replace it.

A lack of sound or lights could also indicate that you have an issue with your battery connection. Try to twist and turn the cable connections. If they move, the connection is loose. Remove the connections and use a paper towel to clean them. Then, reconnect them to the battery. Tighten the connection with a wrench and try to start your car.

Cranks But Engine Won’t Fire

If your engine cranks like normal, but it won’t fire, you might be low or completely out of fuel. Call a service that delivers fuel, and then you can try to start your car again. If you have fuel, your problem could be related to a flooded engine. Fortunately, this is an easy fix. Press the gas pedal down to the floor and then try to crank it. Doing this clears the fuel from the combustion chamber, allowing the car to start.

Don’t worry if that doesn’t fix it. The ignition circuit or fuel pump might have blown a fuse. See if either fuse has a broken metal strip and a bit of black coloring. If so, use your owner’s manual to locate the vehicle’s fuse box. It likely contains some spare fuses you can use to solve the problem.

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Fast Cranking and a Spinning Noise

If the problem includes exceptionally fast cranking accompanied by a spinning noise, turn off the vehicle right away and don’t try to crank it again. You likely have a broken timing belt, and you can do additional damage if you continue to try to crank it. You’ll need to call a towing company to take your car to a mechanic if this happens.

If your car not starting is one in a long list of problems, it might be time for an upgrade. Hope Auto Company in Hope, Arkansas, has a full lineup of new Ford vehicles, including the 2021 Ford EcoSport, Escape, F-150, and more. We also have pre-owned vehicles from various manufacturers. Visit us today to explore our offerings, so you can drive off in a new car with all of the features you want.

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