Knowing the potential causes of a car not starting can help you determine your next step if this ever happens to you. Read on and find out more about the different reasons a car might need a jump start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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5 Car Problems That Lead to a \u201cNo-Start\u201d Scenario<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Pushing](\"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Canva-Pushing-Car-Technical-Failure-Two-Young-Women.jpg\")
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThere are several different kinds<\/a> of car problems that can ultimately lead to a car not starting when you turn the key in the ignition. Most of them are related to the ignition system or the part of the car that fires the engine under electronic command from the key in the lock and cylinder. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe first assumption most people have when they have to jump-start their car is that the battery died, and it\u2019s a good one\u2014it\u2019s the most common form of trouble you\u2019ll run across that can cause your car to have problems starting up. If the car doesn\u2019t start after being jump-started, though, you might be looking at some more complicated mechanical problems than a simple battery swap. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are the most common forms of car trouble that can lead to a driver needing a jump start: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Dead or weak battery<\/strong>: Car batteries don\u2019t last forever, and in cold conditions, an older battery can go dead quickly<\/a>. Even if the battery still has a little power left<\/a>, cold temperatures or merely old age may eventually lead to the battery not having enough juice to power the ignition system. This problem is usually evident when the driver attempts to start the car cold. If the battery is not entirely weakened, it may increase in efficacy after the car has been warmed up, leading to an intermittent start-up issue.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Malfunctioning Starter<\/strong>: If your battery tests okay and you still can\u2019t get the car started without a jump start, the problem is likely in the starter itself. The most surefire symptom of a starter malfunction is a telltale clicking noise whenever the key is turned in the ignition. However, a starter can also die without making any noise at all. It might also be a bad starter if the car won\u2019t start even after a jump start<\/a>. Starters can malfunction as a result of corrosion from old age, fraying or loose electrical connections, or even oil contamination from a leak. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Clogged or frozen fuel lines<\/strong>: When you have a clogged or frozen fuel line, you may be able to get the car started momentarily, but the car will begin stalling and hesitating almost immediately. This is because, with clogged or frozen fuel lines, the car isn\u2019t getting enough fuel in the system to keep the engine running. If a car can catch enough to start the engine even for a few seconds, it is less likely to be related to either the battery or the ignition system and more likely to be fuel system-related.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fouled or bad spark plugs in the ignition system<\/strong>: Along with the alternator, the ignition switch, and the starter, the spark plugs are a part of the ignition system that can prevent the car from starting if they are malfunctioning. Spark plugs often become non-functional after being contaminated by an oil leak or other fluid leak in the engine compartment. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Since spark plugs are a somewhat delicate electrical component (and cheap), it doesn\u2019t take much to cause a misfire in the spark plugs if they\u2019re older or damaged. Changing them out as a set is an excellent way to troubleshoot a no-start problem that has been determined to be unrelated to the alternator, starter, or battery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Alternator malfunction<\/strong>: Bad alternators are almost as typical as bad batteries when it comes to cars that won\u2019t start. The problem with a bad alternator is that while a battery that takes a jump start might keep a car running for a short amount of time, the lack of a functioning alternator means that the car won\u2019t be able to maintain a charge for a long. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Alternator problems<\/a> are often diagnosed once a car\u2019s battery is determined to be operational yet still won\u2019t hold a charge. You can often see more subtle indications of alternator trouble before the car completely fails to start, such as indicator lights in the dashboard or electrical problems, such as a flicker in the headlights. <\/p>\n\n\n\nMany other issues can cause a car to refuse to start beyond these five reasons, but these are some of the most common ones you\u2019re likely to run into in your own driving experience. If troubleshooting any of the above systems doesn\u2019t yield results, the problem is likely something more obscure, such as an electrical malfunction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhen A Car Can\u2019t Be Jump Started<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Keys](\"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Canva-Keys-car-keys-in-ignition.jpg\")
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nSometimes a driver will think that their car battery is flat and get a jump start only to find out that the jump start<\/a> can\u2019t get their car going again. A jump start is typically only useful if a car\u2019s battery is dead or the alternator is bad\u2014many other issues with a car\u2019s ignition system will prevent a car from being started even if a jump start is provided. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThese are some of the systems that may be involved with your car if a jump start doesn\u2019t solve the problem: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Fuel system<\/strong>: When a car won\u2019t start because of the ignition system, the engine typically won\u2019t catch at all. But when a car does not remain running after being started, that points to a different cause entirely. In many cases, it is related to the fuel pump or fuel lines. Also, if the fuel gauge malfunctions, this can lead the driver to believe that their car has gas when it doesn\u2019t.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Lock and cylinder<\/strong>: If a key can\u2019t sit fully into the lock and cylinder because of wear or some malfunction within the mechanism, sometimes the car\u2019s electrical system can\u2019t register that the driver is trying to start it, and this can cause a no-start issue.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Security lockout<\/strong>: Aftermarket security systems on newer, more electrically sensitive models can often cause malfunctions within a car\u2019s electronics, ultimately leading to a security lockout. A faulty anti-theft system can be one possible culprit if you\u2019re looking at a no-start problem with no other likely suspects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Electrical issues<\/strong>: Electrical shorts in a car\u2019s systems can lead to a no-start issue, and this can, unfortunately, be one of the most challenging problems to track down and correct if it is the root of the trouble. Electrical diagnosis often involves tracking each of the car\u2019s circuits individually until the faulty circuit is found and replaced. Because of the amount of time needed to diagnose electrical issues, this kind of repair is costly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
While a driver can sometimes replace the battery or spark plugs on their car easily enough to get the car running without a jump start, looking into these other problems in the case of an intermittent start or start failure involves more intensive diagnostics that are best left to an automotive technician. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A professional knows how to read error codes in the car\u2019s electrical system and can pinpoint the location of the problem much quicker than a layman can. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nCan Jump Starting Damage a Car?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"damage](\"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/damage-from-jump-start-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nMany drivers are reluctant to try to jump off their car if they aren\u2019t familiar with the procedure for doing it because of the threat of accidentally causing damage<\/a> to the vehicle\u2019s electrical systems if it is done incorrectly. While it\u2019s a relatively simple procedure, the high voltage involved, combined with the technical knowledge necessary, intimidates some people from ever attempting it. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThis is a realistic fear, as a jump start\u2014even when performed correctly\u2014can damage one or both cars involved. Accidentally connecting jumper cables in reverse can damage the battery<\/strong> of either car by causing a sharp spike in surging voltage<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe threat of damage isn\u2019t limited to jumping off cars improperly, however. Just the effort of trying to start the second car can cause transient voltage spikes<\/a> capable of damaging the more delicate of a car\u2019s electronics systems,<\/strong> especially if they are aftermarket systems without surge protection. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTo help reduce the chance of causing unnecessary damage to the electrical system of either car, it\u2019s a good idea to turn off all auxiliary electronics<\/strong> while jumping a car off, including the headlights (which are particularly susceptible to electrical damage from overvoltage). <\/p>\n\n\n\nUsing a jump-starter battery<\/strong> can be one of the safest ways<\/strong> to jump-start a car. I bought a battery jump starter that worked for me several times when my car failed to start. Once you learn how to use it, it’s fairly simple and has worked well for me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"battery](\"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/IMG_20200428_075241606.jpg\")
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThere are several different kinds<\/a> of car problems that can ultimately lead to a car not starting when you turn the key in the ignition. Most of them are related to the ignition system or the part of the car that fires the engine under electronic command from the key in the lock and cylinder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The first assumption most people have when they have to jump-start their car is that the battery died, and it\u2019s a good one\u2014it\u2019s the most common form of trouble you\u2019ll run across that can cause your car to have problems starting up. If the car doesn\u2019t start after being jump-started, though, you might be looking at some more complicated mechanical problems than a simple battery swap. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are the most common forms of car trouble that can lead to a driver needing a jump start: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Since spark plugs are a somewhat delicate electrical component (and cheap), it doesn\u2019t take much to cause a misfire in the spark plugs if they\u2019re older or damaged. Changing them out as a set is an excellent way to troubleshoot a no-start problem that has been determined to be unrelated to the alternator, starter, or battery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alternator problems<\/a> are often diagnosed once a car\u2019s battery is determined to be operational yet still won\u2019t hold a charge. You can often see more subtle indications of alternator trouble before the car completely fails to start, such as indicator lights in the dashboard or electrical problems, such as a flicker in the headlights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many other issues can cause a car to refuse to start beyond these five reasons, but these are some of the most common ones you\u2019re likely to run into in your own driving experience. If troubleshooting any of the above systems doesn\u2019t yield results, the problem is likely something more obscure, such as an electrical malfunction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes a driver will think that their car battery is flat and get a jump start only to find out that the jump start<\/a> can\u2019t get their car going again. A jump start is typically only useful if a car\u2019s battery is dead or the alternator is bad\u2014many other issues with a car\u2019s ignition system will prevent a car from being started even if a jump start is provided. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These are some of the systems that may be involved with your car if a jump start doesn\u2019t solve the problem: <\/p>\n\n\n\n While a driver can sometimes replace the battery or spark plugs on their car easily enough to get the car running without a jump start, looking into these other problems in the case of an intermittent start or start failure involves more intensive diagnostics that are best left to an automotive technician. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A professional knows how to read error codes in the car\u2019s electrical system and can pinpoint the location of the problem much quicker than a layman can. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many drivers are reluctant to try to jump off their car if they aren\u2019t familiar with the procedure for doing it because of the threat of accidentally causing damage<\/a> to the vehicle\u2019s electrical systems if it is done incorrectly. While it\u2019s a relatively simple procedure, the high voltage involved, combined with the technical knowledge necessary, intimidates some people from ever attempting it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a realistic fear, as a jump start\u2014even when performed correctly\u2014can damage one or both cars involved. Accidentally connecting jumper cables in reverse can damage the battery<\/strong> of either car by causing a sharp spike in surging voltage<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The threat of damage isn\u2019t limited to jumping off cars improperly, however. Just the effort of trying to start the second car can cause transient voltage spikes<\/a> capable of damaging the more delicate of a car\u2019s electronics systems,<\/strong> especially if they are aftermarket systems without surge protection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To help reduce the chance of causing unnecessary damage to the electrical system of either car, it\u2019s a good idea to turn off all auxiliary electronics<\/strong> while jumping a car off, including the headlights (which are particularly susceptible to electrical damage from overvoltage). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Using a jump-starter battery<\/strong> can be one of the safest ways<\/strong> to jump-start a car. I bought a battery jump starter that worked for me several times when my car failed to start. Once you learn how to use it, it’s fairly simple and has worked well for me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nWhen A Car Can\u2019t Be Jump Started<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nCan Jump Starting Damage a Car?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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