What To Do When Your Car Won’t Start

Getting stranded with a non-starting vehicle can be a frustrating and inconvenient experience. If you find yourself in this situation, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the problem. 

In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the six-step process of troubleshooting a non-starting vehicle.

By following these tips, you may be able to get your vehicle back on the road in no time. And, if you need any assistance, our expert technicians at Marc’s Garage are always here to help.

Read on to find out more.

Troubleshooting your vehicle when it won’t start can be done in six steps:

1. Check the battery: Make sure the battery is fully charged and connected properly.
2. Check the fuel level and fuel type: The vehicle will not start if the fuel tank is empty. Also, make sure you have the right fuel in your vehicle.
3. Check the starting process for your vehicle: When an automatic vehicle is left in gear and not in Park or Neutral, it will not start. Most newer vehicles with a manual gearbox will require you to depress the clutch prior to starting the vehicle. When you drive an electric vehicle with a charging cable still attached, the vehicle won’t start.

If you are unsure, consult the manufacturer’s manual.

1. Check your key: Despite it sounding obvious, we’ve seen this one before! The wrong key, which hasn’t been programmed to the vehicle, will prevent the vehicle from starting.
2. Check warning lights: Look for a warning light on your dashboard as this may indicate a system fault.
3. If you hear or see anything unusual, take note: A quick diagnosis could be made by using these clues about the cause of the problem. 

Checking your Battery

The battery is often the first thing to check if your vehicle won’t start. Several ways can be used to determine if the battery is to blame:

1. Check the battery’s voltage: Check the battery’s voltage with a digital multimeter. A reading below 12.4 volts could indicate a weak or dead battery that needs to be recharged or replaced.
2. Check for corrosion: Corroded battery terminals or cables may not provide a good connection and could be the source of starting problems.
3. Inspect the terminals and cables: Ensure the terminals and cables of the battery are clean and securely connected. Battery performance can be affected by dirty or loose connections.
4. Check the headlights and wipers: You may have a weak or dead battery if the headlights are dim or don’t work or the windscreen wipers are slow or don’t work at all.
5. Try jump-starting the vehicle: You may have a battery issue or part of a larger problem if the vehicle will not start on its own after a jump-start. The following information will help you jump-start your vehicle.
6. Listen for the starter: A weak or dead battery could cause the starter not to engage when you turn the key.

Our expert technicians at Marc’s Garage recommend checking your battery if you experience any of these issues to determine whether it needs to be replaced. You can avoid the inconvenience of a non-starting car by checking your battery and performing regular maintenance.

Getting back on the road after a flat vehicle battery can be accomplished in a few ways:

• Charge the battery:

  1. Check compatibility: Make sure the battery you want to charge is compatible with your charger. Depending on the type of battery, some chargers will only work with that type.
  2. Connect the charger to the battery: The charger’s clips must be connected to the battery’s terminals, with the positive clip connected to the positive terminal and the negative clip connected to the negative terminal. Clips may be alligator clips or ring terminals that attach to the battery terminals using nuts and bolts.
  3. Turn on the charger: Charging rates and times can vary depending on the charger, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions. There are some chargers that have a built-in display that shows charging progress and voltage level.
  4. Let the battery charge: Charge the battery until it is fully charged. Depending on the battery’s size and the charger’s charging rate, charging times can vary. You may need to wait several hours for this to complete.
  5. Turn off the charger and disconnect it: When the battery is fully charged, turn off the charger and disconnect it from the battery. Avoid short circuits by removing the clips in reverse order of how they were connected, starting with the negative clip.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when using a battery charger, as improper use can damage the battery or the charger. It is recommended that you consult the manual or seek assistance from our experts at Marc’s Garage if you have any questions. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to handling electrical equipment like a battery charger.

• Jump-start your vehicle: Jump-starting a car is a simple process that can be done with a set of jump leads and another car with a good battery. Here’s how:

• 1. Position the vehicles: Make sure the vehicle with the good battery is parked close to the vehicle with the dead battery, but do not touch them together.
  2. Turn off both vehicles and engage the parking brakes.
  3. Connect the red jump leads: One end of the red jump leads should be connected to the positive terminal of the dead battery and the other end to the positive terminal of the good battery.
  4. Connect the black jump leads: Connect one end of the black jump lead to the negative terminal of the good battery and the other end to a metal surface on the vehicle with the dead battery, such as a bolt on the engine block.
  5. Start the good vehicle: Turn on the engine and let the vehicle with the good battery run for a few minutes.
  6. Start the dead vehicle: Start the vehicle with the dead battery. If it starts, remove the cables in reverse order (black, then red).
  7. Contact a professional if necessary: In the event that the vehicle still won’t start, there may be a problem other than the battery. It would be a good idea to call a professional, such as Marc’s Garage, in this case.

The cables must be connected correctly and must not touch one another or any metal surfaces when jump-starting a vehicle. This can cause sparks, which could damage the vehicles or batteries. 

In order to avoid any accidents or further damage to the vehicles, it is important to follow the correct steps when connecting the cables. To avoid any accidents or further damage to your vehicle, it’s best to seek the professional help of Marc’s Garage if you’re not confident in your abilities.

One Final Thing to Check

Other than the previously mentioned causes, blown fuses can also lead to a non-starting vehicle. Electrical systems are protected by fuses, and if one blows, it can interrupt the flow of electricity and prevent the vehicle from starting.

Several systems in a vehicle can be affected by a blown fuse, including the fuel pump, starter, and ignition switch. Usually, you will find the fuse panel under the dashboard or in the engine compartment. Locate the diagram showing the location of each fuse and its circuit to check for blown fuses.

You can check the fuses with a multimeter or visually. If you find a blown a fuse, it’s essential to replace it with a new one with the same amperage rating.

If you’re unsure how to check or replace the fuses, it’s recommended to seek assistance from a professional such as our experts at Marc’s Garage to ensure the job is done safely and correctly. It is important to address any blown fuses in your vehicle so that its electrical systems work properly and that it starts when needed.

In Summary

If your vehicle doesn’t start, you may be able to diagnose and fix the problem by performing some simple checks.

A battery check, fuel level check, fuel type check and starting process check may help resolve the problem. You can jump-start your vehicle if your battery is flat, but you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions and take precautions to avoid damaging the battery. A blown fuse can interrupt the electricity flow and prevent the vehicle from starting, which is also crucial to check.

If you follow these steps or seek the help of a professional like Marc’s Garage, you can avoid the inconvenience of a non-starting vehicle, ensuring that your vehicle is safe and ready to run when you need it.

When you’ve exhausted all possible causes of a non-starting vehicle and still can’t get it going, don’t hesitate to call our garage in Lytham.

We are always available to assist you and ensure that your vehicle is safe and functioning properly. Make Marc’s Garage your first call if you have a non-starting vehicle.

Call Now 01253 587037