It can be so frustrating and inconvenient when your car won’t start, and even new and reliable cars can play up. There are many reasons why this can happen, and there are things you can check yourself first before calling a professional. Make sure your steering wheel isn’t locked and that you have enough petrol. If your car still won’t start, here’s a list of reasons as to what it could be:
A dead battery
The car battery dying is the most common reason why your car won’t start. You can test this yourself using a battery tester, which you can buy for under £20. If you don’t have one, you can use jump leads to try to jump-start your car.
Battery corrosion
Battery corrosion can cause a lot of damage to your car. Check and clean the battery posts to make sure there’s a complete connection and try and start your car again. Contact us if you require any help or advice on this.
Bad starter motor
The starter motor is the part of the car that makes the engine turn over, and therefore your car start. If there’s a problem with this, you’ll need to get a new one fitted.
Bad timing belt
The timing belt is essentially the most important item to maintain in your engine. It ensures the engine’s valves work at the proper interval so that they never touch the pistons. A broken timing belt can cause dreadful damage to your engine, resulting in a full engine replacement needed. On average, the timing belt should be replaced every 60,000 miles or 5 years, whichever comes first.
Broken distributor cap
The distributor cap directs voltage from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. If moisture gets under the cap, it can cause damage, so be sure to wipe it clean with a dry cloth or tissue before reinstalling it.
Damaged ignition coil
The ignition coil is responsible for converting the battery’s voltage into an electrical spark, if the coil is damaged, it means there’s not enough flow to do that. A multimeter is a tool that measures electrical current and voltage, and you’ll need one to test the current running through the coil.
Clogged fuel filter
When your fuel filter is clogged, it prevents enough fuel from reaching the engine and a replacement is usually needed.
If you don’t feel comfortable getting under the hood, or can’t fix it yourself, contact us today and let us know what needs fixing.
Contact Us today and we can help put your mind at rest!