Car Won’t Start? 10 Tips You Need to Fix It Now
Are you focused on missing your absolute best friend’s wedding because the vehicle won’t start? That you do not want to hire an Uber because the marriage gifts and your own personal luggage could easily get lost. Plus, it’s very costly to go in one venue to another.
If you’re a first-time car owner, don’t panic. The good thing is that you could fix several car problems at home and avoid getting late for important events. Today, we’ll show you some of the common reasoned explanations why your car won’t start and how to fix them such as for instance a pro!
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1. Car won’t start in cold weather
1. Dense motor oil
Motor oil must be vicious to be able to circulate in the engine efficiently. During winter, the chilly temperatures cause motor oil to have so dense that it almost becomes solid. If you remember about temperatures and viscosities in your senior school Chemistry, then you know the way this works. Low temperature makes oil molecules less mobile and this is why it gets heavy during winter.
When this happens, 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 begin the car. Your solution is taking the vehicle to a mechanic to drain out the oil.
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How to avoid this problem
- Park your car indoors – You need to steadfastly keep up a warm temperature around your car at all times. Park your car in an indoor garage during winter to prevent exposing your motor oil to freezing temperatures.
- Check your manual to learn the best winter motor oil – Have you ever learned about winter motor oil? Its density is nearly half the standard one however, it still possesses exactly the same effectiveness.
- Change your motor oil in good time – Auto mechanics recommend getting winter oil at least two weeks before winter. This period is sufficient to drain out regular motor oil, clean the entire engine, and fill it up with winter motor oil.
- Warm up your engine if yours includes a carburetor – Carburetors draw in oxygen then combine it with droplets of fuel to be able 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. Doing this improves the odds of internal combustion.
2. Inactive battery
This issue occurs due to parking your car outside when temperatures fall below 10 degrees. Does your engine produce a light sound when you try to begin the vehicle? Is your air conditioning equipment not radio working? They are clear indicators of an inert car battery.
Just like motor oil, car batteries require a warm temperature at all times. Exposing them to cold weather affects the electrolyte’s ability to generate current.
The 2nd reason why your car could have a dead battery is due to lumpy motor oil that’s not suited for winter. Why? Since 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 an avowed mechanic to inspect your car battery before winter. Check the amount of your electrolyte and leaks.
- Get the best winter oil – Using the wrong motor oil forces your car to utilize up more energy to help keep your engine lubricated. You’ll receive more value from your car battery by buying good winter motor oil.
- Keep your jumper cables close – If you happen to park your car 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 car indoors – Your vehicle battery operates best within the manufacturers recommended temperature range. Look for a secure indoor garage or parking lot to guard your car battery.
3. Moisture in the carburetor
Cold temperatures affect the fuel-to-air ratio required to help keep your engine moving. Sometimes it could possibly get so cold that moisture droplets form in the carburetor. Is this a negative thing? Yes, it is basically because the moisture creates sparks that initiate internal combustion in regards into connection with vaporized car fuel. Without internal combustion, it’s impossible to begin the car.
Moisture in the carburetor also affects fuel consumption. Your engine melts away a lot of energy to counter the cold weather affecting internal combustion. This causes wastage because, on a typical day, exactly the same quantity 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. Doing this increases the fuel-to-air ratio to improve internal combustion. Press it halfway inside then release because you don’t want to flood the carburetor. If the vehicle doesn’t start, watch for at least half of a minute then repeat the strategy above.
When you’ve attempted this procedure but your car still won’t start, you’ve excess moisture in your carburetor. If you know the right path around engines, you will need a pair of screwdrivers to dismantle after that it lay it out in the sun to dry for some hours.
4. Moisture in the fuel lines
How secure is the fuel tank? A poor fuel cap allows moisture to access the fuel lines when it’s damp outside. Raindrops can trickle inside because the faulty cap has loose fitting threads. Moisture in the fuel lines affects the production of sufficient gas-to-oxygen ratio to begin the engine.
You’ll notice some indicators of moisture before your car refuses to start. One of them is an increased rate of fuel consumption because the engine has to utilize up a lot of fuel to counter the moisture affecting internal combustion.
How to fix this problem
- Drain out the fuel – When you yourself have a negative fuel cap and you parked the vehicle outside throughout the rain, fuel becomes unusable. It’s painful to watch your gas go down the drain however this method prevents your fuel tank from rusting. Draining your fuel also prevents moisture from accumulating in the carburetor.
- Dry out the fuel tank – One means of drying your tank is by eliminating the fuel cap and let your car sit in the sun for a number of hours. Ensure there are no open flames around because fumes from the tank may cause an explosion. If you know how to dismantle fuel tanks, you are able to eliminate it such that it includes a better experience of the sun.
- Purchase a fuel additive – Fuel additives can assist you to eliminate moisture as part of 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 assist you to in the event that you recently drove your car through flooded water.
5. Car won’t start after the rain
If you own a vehicle that doesn’t have a computerized engine, then your car works on the distributor to circulate electrical current. It’s located near the air filter and has a circular black covering. That is where you’ll find your car’s spark plugs.
If the vehicle has a broken hood, raindrops enter into connection with the coil connecting the distributor together with your ignition. This creates a brief circuit once you try to begin the car. That’s why your car won’t start but has power.
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How to fix a car that won’t start after the rain
- Let the vehicle dry – Park your car somewhere warm and dry for a few hours. You’ll need a dry cotton cloth to wipe off raindrops from your distributor to avoid 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 car doesn’t start after drying the distributor, take away the oil dipstick to check on for any moisture. If you find the clear presence of water, you will have to drain out the bad oil immediately.
- Remove the spark plugs – If water got as part of your distributor, you may get reduce it and get your engine running inside a short time. First, open your distributor and remove most of the spark plugs. Then, ask a pal to begin 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 few of the common reasons that produce antitheft systems render your car immobile for no good reason.
1. Damaged car key
When a thief attempts to get entry inside your car using a fake key, the antitheft system immobilizes your engine to stop theft. Sometimes, children tend to obtain curious and try to see if they could gain entry by inserting sticks or wires within your door lock. Unfortunately, your antitheft system interprets this as attempts of forced entry.
Did your car key recently fall inside water? Car keys contain special chips that enable antitheft systems to detect owners. Water affects this chips and this helps it be hard or impossible for an anti-theft system to tell apart you as the car owner.
If you have a negative car key, get an alternative from the auto manufacturer.
2. Issues with the car ignition
The antitheft system also has special sensors in a car’s ignition switch that helps it to identify car owners. If a young 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 car key then switch on the engine. Let the key stay in this location for at the very least 10 minutes. This permits your antitheft system to learn and authenticate the chip in your car key.
3. Faulty programming
Some auto manufacturers outsource the creation of antitheft systems to software development companies as a result of couple of reasons. It’s cost-effective because the auto manufacturer doesn’t hire any software programmers. Second, software developers have the best experience and resources to generate digital antitheft systems.
Outsourcing doesn’t always produce the most effective products. Sometimes, the antitheft system might contain software bugs that immobilize your engine for no reason. You can fix this temporarily by disconnecting your car battery for 15 minutes in order to reset the computerized engine.
After your car starts, drive to the nearest auto manufacturer dealership. The mechanic will either disable your antitheft system or upgrade it to an improved 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 car features a bad pump if the engine cranks but won’t start. Your car might surge forward unexpectedly while driving. This happens because the fuel pump sputters gas rather than delivering a consistent smooth flow to your engine.
After a few years, the car will overheat and stalls frequently. You’ll also notice the fuel gauge getting inaccurate as a result of inconsistent delivery of gas from your pump.
How to fix a damaged fuel pump
- Check the fuel pump fuses – You will find the fuse box within the engine. Use your car manual because each model has its own engine design. If it’s a blown fuse, it is simple to repair it at home.
- Inspect the pump’s wires – Eliminate the backseat and inspect wires ultimately causing the fuel pump for any damages
- Discover whether there’s gas flowing to your engine – Use a fuel pressure gauge checker available at 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.
If you suspect a damaged fuel tank, you should have to go to a qualified mechanic.
4. Faulty starter
Are you worried because your car won’t start however the lights think about it? You’ve probably heard an audible buzz or loud click as soon as 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 household current cannot activate the engine. The loud click occurs when household current attempts to activate a negative motor.
How to test
Turn the engine on, pop the hood, and use a jumpstart pack to see if there’s power in your car battery. Connect the clips to the battery terminals and observe. Ensure they’re dry. Check whether there’s household current coming from your starter. Eliminate the air intake and place an examination light on the wire linking to the starter solenoid. You will need a friend to test the test light as you start the engine.
Once you learn just 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 blended with oxygen to activate and keep consitently 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 could easily get damaged. This causes a waste in fuel consumption because your engine doesn’t burn most of the vaporized fuel blended with oxygen. Slow acceleration because the spark plug converts a diminished level of household 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 should be within your auto manufacturer’s recommended range. Always remove the spark plugs as soon as your engine is cold. Such as the morning after an overnight parking. Dismantling an engine while it’s hot may cause you to break wires accidentally.
- Are the spark plug wires okay? – Check for scorch marks or dripping oil on the spark plug wires.
- Eliminate damaged plugs – Replace bad spark plugs with those made from Iridium. If you recently had an alternative, check whether there’s oil or any kind of lubrication. Wipe them dry since it causes unnecessary movement which makes it hard to create sparks consistently.
Don’t forget to test whether they’re screwed tightly. Or even, use a wrench.
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6. Car battery issues
You can tell a vehicle battery is going if it had been okay but the next morning, the engine cranks and you see dim headlights. You’ll also see the lower battery light on your dashboard.
Maybe you have jumpstarted your battery at the very least three times this week? If you’ve used your car battery for more than four years, the battery is past it’s prime. You’ll need to get a new battery. Very easy to eliminate the old and place in a new one.
How to detect battery problems
If you have 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 car to prevent electrocution then remove the negative terminal. Connect one end of the test light and place the pointed side on your battery. A light 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 car battery then connect your improvised circuit. Connect a voltmeter close to the resistor and check its reading. If you visit a current of more than 3.6 volts, the battery is unquestionably losing power. Open the fuse box and pick out fuses one by one while observing the readings on your voltmeter. If it drops below 3.6 volts, you’ll identify the component causing this power drain.
Do you suspect a leaky battery acid? Switch off your car then use a couple of work gloves to eliminate the battery. The gloves prevent any leaking acid from corroding your fingers when lifting and inspecting the car battery. See if you’ll find any cracks or bulges on the casing. If you do, buy a new car battery.
New battery car won’t start?
- Check your starter.
- Check wires ultimately causing your distributor.
- Inspect your spark plugs.
7. Contaminated gas
A faulty fuel cap allows water to obtain within 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 exactly the same temperature as ordinary fuel. So, your car engine requires more fuel than necessary to pay because of this deficiency.
Foreign particles within the fuel tank also hinder the fuel pump from effectively distributing gas to the carburetor. They clog pipes every time a driver drives a vehicle on very low fuel.
8. A faulty ignition switch
The ignition activates your engine and other electronics by distributing household current once you start the car. If you have a negative ignition switch, your car stalls right after starting as a result of an inconsistent power supply. Additionally it may occur while driving.
How can you detect a faulty ignition switch? Use a cop probe tester to see in case a 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 car to observe whether the lights go dim or off briefly. If they don’t, get a new ignition switch.
9. A bad rebuilt title car
A rebuilt title car is a vehicle that’s been renovated after losing more than 50% of its value in an accident or natural disaster such as for instance floods. Repaired engines contain both new and aged parts and this brings about incompatibility issues. Running a repaired title car is stressful because it appears to develop different mechanical problems every day.
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10. Are you ready to fix your car?
If you have a vehicle or plan to purchase one, it’s advisable to have a basic auto repair course. The practical knowledge you gain can help you to accomplish a lot of engine component replacements successfully at home. Also, have a totally equipped toolbox allow you to diagnose problems accurately without requiring a mechanic.