When you’re trying to head out in the morning, the last thing you want to encounter is a car that won’t start. Naturally, your first thought may be how you’re going to get to work or explain your absence, but there are other things to keep in mind. For example, a car may not start in the moment and be working well later, but that still means there’s a deeper issue with the car. Even if it runs again, that doesn’t mean the issue has gone away.
To fully start the discussion, we should mention that there are two main instances that happen when a vehicle doesn’t start properly. In some cases, the engine doesn’t crank at all or cranks way slower than it normally does. Sometimes, the engine manages to crank, but fails to run. We’re going to split both issues into different sections, as this generally means different causes and solutions.
What Happens When Your Engine Has No Crank
Statistically speaking, if you have an engine that doesn’t crank or cranks very slowly, the problem is most likely due to a battery issue. This can happen no matter how new your car is or what model it is. Even if the vehicle can’t start, you can try and gather some information to point you to the direction of the problem. If you have a weak battery, but a functional one, you may be able to figure that out from hearing the slow turn of the starter. Most likely, though, you’re going to need to take a proper look at the actual battery. Get started by looking at the terminal clamps. In some cases, an impact or basic wear and tear can send the clamps out of alignment, rendering the battery inert. If it’s just a slip, you should be able to secure them yourself, but you need to look at the manual and make sure you avoid any safety problems.
If that’s not the case, you need to look into getting a jump. This can happen if you accidentally leave a car light on for a long time. However, the battery isn’t in bad condition, just drained. If this is the case, you should be okay with a basic jump to get your car running properly. To get prepared, make sure your car has jumper cables in the trunk at all times. Ideally, you want to invest in heavy gauge cables. If you go for the cheap option, you may not get enough current to your vehicle, or the cables can even melt.
Getting a jump is an easy way to get your car moving so you can at least get home or to a garage, but don’t take this as confirmation that your battery is running great. If you find yourself dealing with this issue a lot, you may have a bigger problem with the car and its battery. For example, batteries naturally corrode over time. In some cases, you can clean off the corrosion to expand the lifespan of the battery. However, even if you clean off the visual corrosion, this hurts the general health of the battery. In some cases, it can even change how the battery charges as a car runs. Given time, a jump may not even work.
Something else you may want to look out for is problems with alternator and starter. If the alternator doesn’t work, the battery may not end up getting any charge. If this is due to a broken belt, you’ll most likely get a dashboard signal. However, if the system output is off, you won’t be so lucky. Bad starters can sometimes be confused with a bad battery at first, as they have a similar sound. Ideally, you want to hear a clashing sound, like if you were shifting with a bad clutch. This may mean the starter drive is damaged. In other scenarios, you may have a problem with the relay or ignition switch.
What Happens If Your Engine Cranks Without Starting
So, let’s say that the starter cranks, but the engine isn’t actually running. There may be other issues going on that are harder for you to understand. One key example is the fuel system. One thing that may feel a bit strange at first is just looking to see if you didn’t run out of gas. If you were already low and have a lot going on, it could happen. If there’s fuel in the tank, the issue may lie with your pump relay or pump, preventing fuel from getting to the engine. In colder weather, the issue may stem from a frozen fuel line. These issues aren’t common, but having a tank partially fueled can help a lot. This will avoid moisture from getting into the fuel lines where it can freeze.
Something else to consider here is the spark plugs. Like moisture in fuel lines, these are less common with newer models. That doesn’t mean it can’t happen, though. A lot of people miss this because if things are going well, you can drive up to 100,000 miles without having to replace your spark plug. This means many people forget to actually get a repair or replacement when it does need to be done.
Don’t forget the security system, either. For example, if you don’t use the right ignition key, that may be a problem. You can also have problems with a remote keyless entry or starting device that slows you down in the morning. If you like to use these, make sure you always keep a spare to use if the first one malfunctions.
Ultimately, a new Honda Accord lease in Los Angeles or full purchase represents a major commitment. You owe it to yourself to learn about common issues and their causes so you can better handle them. Granted, this will most likely include a visit to a mechanic, but that’s well worth the efficiency and peace of mind.
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