We’ve all been there – when, after a hectic morning, with the speed of a light you get into your car; put the key into the ignition, turn it and… Nothing. An absolute silence (except for grinds and whines of your heart that’s about to pop out of your chest). Is it my engine? Most likely it is (not your engine per se, but certain parts under the hood that help it run).
A ‘not starting engine’ problem is one of the most common ones that are bound to occur at some point in your driving career. A number of defects, ranging from dead battery to low oil level can contribute to this. What are the most usual problems when you car engine is not starting?
Dead Car Battery
Discharged car battery is, in most cases, the major reason why your car engine is not starting. Depending on the model of your vehicle, your car’s battery is supported by high-tech management system that prevents battery discharge. However, if the ignition’s activation has been prolonged or if headlights or the radio have been on for a long period of time, the battery may encounter discharging problems and will need to be tested. The best way to test if the battery is causing the engine failure is to jump start your car. If the car starts immediately, then you probably have a problem of a dead battery and need to replace it.
You should know that the average car battery life is about four years. However, depending on your driving techniques; how often you drive your car; climate conditions of where you live and many other factors, your battery may have shorter lifespan. If you repeatedly experience starting problems due to low battery charge, then you probably have a defective car battery. The best thing to do in this case is to visit your car mechanic and have him charge or replace the battery. Your tech will take snapshots of the vehicle’s battery by hooking electronic testers to it. This will provide necessary information whether the battery needs to be replaced.
Ignition switch
If your car battery has been eliminated as a possible cause for your ‘not starting engine’ problem, then the problem may be a faulty ignition switch. The ignition switch is what gets your vehicle started by providing necessary electrical connection between the battery and the starter. It is probably one of the most important electrical systems of your car and is responsible for supplying it with about 50% of the total power needed. To determine whether you need to replace the ignition switch do the following – turn the key on but not all the way to start. If the warning lights on the dashboard do not light up like New Year’s fireworks, then you probably have a faulty ignition switch and it may need to be replaced.
Fuel, Fuel Pump and Fuel Filter
So we have eliminated your battery and the ignition switch as possible cases, yet your car engine won’t start. If that’s the case, you might be out of fuel. Yes, it happens, but luckily it is a temporary and an easy fix. To check whether your car needs fuel, open the fuel tank and shake your car. If you can’t hear any liquid movement than you car is out of fuel. However, if you’re certain that you have enough fuel then you might have to deal with a bad fuel pump or your mechanic will need to perform a fuel injection service on your vehicle.
Turn the ignition switch to the second position and if no sounds are heard from the fuel tank or if the fuel pump is making whining noise then your car is in desperate need of a new pump. Visit your mechanics shop for fuel pump pressure test. A technician will insert a fuel pressure gauge into the Schrader valve to determine if your engine is receiving enough fuel from the tank. Remember, the fuel pump is crucial for flawless vehicle operation. It ‘feeds’ the engine with the required fuel enabling it to run. If you believe you might have a faulty fuel pump, replace it as soon as possible.
If your fuel pump is operating smoothly, then you might have a dirty fuel filter. The fuel filter protects your car engine from harmful particles by catching and trapping any fuel remains that can be harmful to the engine. If you haven’t replaced the fuel filter in a while, then its best you do so in order to keep your engine running smoothly. This is an easy DIY that can be performed in no time.
Engine Oil
The engine oil is crucial for smooth engine operation as it provides effective lubrication and cooling for your engine and all its internal parts. If you have replaced the engine oil recently and believe you do not need to it, know that oil consumption varies from vehicle to vehicle and depends on the oil quality, the road, the weather conditions and the engine speed. If you have trouble starting your car, low engine oil level might be the reason. The best way to know if the engine oil level is low, use the dipstick and markings on it that indicate your current oil level.
In order to get true reading, you must assure the vehicle is on level ground. Pull out the engine oil dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it and pull it out again. Check the oil level according to the markings to see if you need to add engine oil (read your owner’s manual to find out what each marking indicates). If the oil level is low, add new one as soon as possible. Please note, when adding engine oil do so by adding small amounts of it at a time. Also, wait a while between each pouring to avoid adding to much engine oil. Make sure you check the oil level regularly, preferably every time you add fuel and before and after longer trips. Moreover, change the engine oil according to manufacturer’s instructions listed in your owner’s manual.
Remember, regular car maintenance is a must for a smooth vehicle operation. Most of these checks take very little of your time and by regularly inspecting them you’ll be able to detect any defects on time thus save time and money. These are just some of the most common causes for your car engine not starting, however there can be more serious problems causing the car engine not to start, so if none of the above recommendations work, we encourage you to visit a professional car service centre so that the can make discover any serious problems & fix them as necessary.
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