Car won't start: Causes and solutions
A car that won’t start is a common problem and an annoyance for many car owners. Signs to recognize this error can come from some characteristic noises.
Below are some tips to help car users understand more about this error, including how to fix it to help the car start.
What does the clicking sound indicate?
When you turn the key or press the starter button and only hear a clicking sound, that is the sound of the starter gear hitting the flywheel or clutch plate (depending on whether it is a manual or automatic transmission).
If you only hear a single click when you start the car, it means the starter is trying to engage, but simply isn't getting enough power to start the engine.
Meanwhile, if the starter gear keeps hitting the flex plate or flywheel and your car still won't start, it means there's another problem with the car.
What is the cause?
When the engine cannot be started, this usually comes from a number of causes such as:
1. Battery problem
By far the most common reason why your car makes a clicking noise when trying to start is a dead or faulty battery.
In this case, the battery will have enough power to start once, but once started, it will not have enough power to crank the engine or for subsequent starts.
2. Generator failure
The alternator charges the battery while you drive, and if it fails, the battery won't get a charge. It's just a matter of time before the battery runs out of charge.
If you just recharge the battery without replacing the alternator, sooner or later the battery drain problem will occur again.
3. Corroded/Loose Connections
Sometimes everything in your car is working fine, it's just the connections between the battery and the starter that are having problems.
The cause could be a loose wire or a corroded connection. This is a small thing but enough to prevent your car from starting.
4. The starter is broken
Signs of a malfunctioning starter are pushing out, pushing into the flywheel, then back out and then no longer having the power to start the engine.
When you deliberately turn and hold the lock or hold the ignition button, this process will repeat and you will hear a continuous clicking sound.
So what to do in these situations?
Above, the article has given a step-by-step guide on how to find out exactly why your car is making clicking noises and won’t start. Here are the steps to fix it.
1. Check the joints
This is the rarest problem but it is the easiest to eliminate with the naked eye. At this point, what you need to do is open the hood and check the connections on the battery terminals for anything unusual.
Make sure they are tight and free of any corrosion. Clean the connectors and tighten the connections if necessary.
2. Check the battery
Once you have verified that the connections are secure, proceed to test the battery. Check both the battery voltage and cold start current in this step.
If the battery voltage reaches 12.6V or more but does not have enough cold starting current (CCA), you still need to replace the battery. If both parameters are satisfactory, go to the next step.
3. Charge the battery
A low battery voltage does not mean you have to replace it. So try recharging it before you consider replacing it.
4. Check the battery
After you have fully charged your battery, test it again. Normally, your battery should be at 12.6 volts and have enough amperage for your vehicle. If your battery has problems with either of these, it is time to replace it.
5. Check if the car starts
Once the battery is fully charged, test to see if your car starts. If it does, you can rule out a starter problem and move on to the next step.
6. Check the generator
When the car can start after fully charging the battery, the cause will be determined to come from the alternator. If the alternator is faulty and you still ignore this problem, it is difficult to avoid "lying on the road" suddenly.
When checking the generator, the voltage measured when the engine is running should be close to 14V, if it does not reach this index, the generator may be faulty and you need to replace it.
7. Check the test set
If you have completed the first 6 steps in this troubleshooting guide and your car still won't start, then the starter is most likely the culprit.
What you need to do now is call a professional mechanic to replace a new starter or use a transport vehicle to take your car to a reputable garage to replace it.
