Why Won’t My Car Start? or Why Won’t My Car Turn Over?
It can be pretty scary when Your Car Won’t Start or Turn Over! Thank goodness that today we can rely on a quick Google Search to find out some possible answers for why, or to find out what’s going on.
Here are some questions you can ask if you want help determining the problem yourself:
1. Can you turn the key in the ignition?
If not, try one of these things:
- Make sure that your car is in park
- Make sure that your foot is on the break
- If the steering wheel won’t move, try jiggling the steering wheel back and forth to release it.
- Try a different/spare key, in case the one you’re using is worn out.
Note: If you still cannot turn the key in the ignition, give us a call. We would love to help you diagnose your problem.
2. Do the instrument panel lights come on?
f not, try one of these things:
- Try turning the headlights on. If they work, then your battery most likely has power and the problem could be with the ignition switch or the ignition wiring.
Give us a call so that we can help you with this problem.
- If the headlights won’t turn on, your battery is probably dead.
- Open the hood and check to make sure that the wires aren’t corroded and that they are properly connected.
- If you believe that your battery is dead, you can try jumping it.
Note: If you find yourself having to jump your battery often, give us a call and let us check out your battery to see why.
- You may need a new battery.
- The problem may be with your alternator not providing enough power to your battery.
- If that is the case, replacing the battery will not solve your problem.
- If you would like, we can take a look at your car and quickly tell you which problem that you’re dealing with.
Pictured Above: New, Clean Battery Vs. Old, Corroded Battery
3. Can you get your car to start in Neutral?
If it won't start in Park, try starting it in Neutral.
- If your car will start in Neutral, but it won't start in Park, there may be a problem with a neutral safety switch or with the shifter cable.
- Contact us if you would like us to check it out.
4. Does your engine turn over?
If your engine won't turn over when you turn the key to the "Start" position:
- Your battery may be dead.
- Open the hood and check to make sure that the wires aren’t corroded and that they are properly connected.
- If you believe that your battery is dead, you can try jumping it.
Note: If you have to jump your battery often because it is dead, give us a call and let us check out your battery to see why.
- You may need a new battery.
- The problem may be with your alternator not providing enough power to your battery.
- If that is the case, replacing the battery will not solve your problem.
- Make an appointment: we can take a look at your car and quickly tell you which problem that you’re dealing with.
5. Does your engine turn over and your battery seem fine?
If so, the ignition switch could be bad.
- Try jiggling the key to start your car.
- If this works, you may need to have your ignition switch checked.
6. Does your car have a security system?
- If so, there may be a problem with the vehicle's security system
- There may be some other electronic control module problem that is preventing the starter from operating correctly.
7. Here are a few other problems that your car may have:
- The starter solenoid control wire may be bad
- The starter motor itself may be bad
- A starter solenoid may be bad.
Unfortunately, there are many reasons that can keep your car from starting.
We have covered only a few of the many possibilities.
If you don’t have a dead battery, your alternator seems to be doing great, and you’re still having trouble figuring out what the problem could be, don’t hesitate to contact us at Graham Auto Repair for help. We will do our best to get you into our shop for services as soon as possible and assess your problem(s) quickly. At Graham Auto Repair we will always do our best to take care of our customers' vehicles and we offer the best quality and customer service possible. All of our services are backed with Lifetime Parts and Labor Warranties.
We look forward to serving you!
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