There is nothing worse than trying to start the car, and it’s not happening – and you are already late for a meeting at the office. Talk about stress. Unfortunately, there are several reasons why the car won’t start, and these are the most common ones.1
The ignition switch is not working1
If your car won’t start and you know your battery is fine, it could be a fault with the ignition switch. To eliminate the battery, turn on the headlights, and if they go on, the battery is working.
A broken starter1
The function of a starter is to turn or crank the engine after you have pressed or turned the ignition switch. Once the engine is running, the function of the starter is over. A broken starter is unable to turn the engine, and that’s why it can’t start. When you turn or press the key to start the engine, a clicking noise is the usual tell-tale sign that the starter is not working. If starting the car produces much noise, it could also be the starter.
What about the battery? 1
The most common reason a car won’t start is a dead battery. The battery supplies electricity to the whole vehicle. A quick test is to switch on the headlights. If no lights, the battery has died.
How does the alternator fit in with the battery? 1
The alternator charges the battery while the car is travelling. If the alternator has started to malfunction, then the battery will soon die. If battery light comes on while driving it means that the alternator is not charging.
What else could cause the battery to die? 1
Remember that a battery’s lifespan, on average, is only about 4 years. Another common reason for a flat battery is that the lights were left on when parking the car. A dead battery could also be due to a bad connection, such as a loose wire. Finally, if you’ve been on holiday for a month, and just left your car in the garage, the battery will likely go flat. Next time, remember to undo the negative battery terminal to prevent this from happening.
Some other reasons why the car won’t start1
If the fuel filter is clogged, fuel cannot reach the engine, which means it can’t start. In addition, there may not be enough fuel in the petrol tank, which you can quickly resolve by keeping a closer look at the petrol gauge.
It can be traumatic if you have parked in a remote spot and can’t get away because the battery is dead. It can also be traumatic to discover that the insurer has rejected your claim because the accident was not covered due to an exclusion written in the policy. You must obtain clarity from the insurer as to what you are entitled to if your car’s battery dies or your car won’t start. Are you looking for affordable car insurance? Contact PMD for affordable car insurance cover with great benefits such as fixed premiums* and a reduce to zero excess*. T’s and C’s apply.
Source:
1https://www.michanic.co.za/car-not-starting/5-reasons-your-car-wont-start/
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
