“Help! My car won’t start!”

We’ve all found ourselves in this situation at one time or another and it’s frustrating, time consuming and depending on the problem, sometimes costly, as well but before you call that tow truck, here are some things worth looking into:

1. Be certain your vehicle is in PARK before turning the key over.   If your vehicle is a manual transmission, be sure your foot in on the clutch.

2. Note the fuel gauge to be certain the vehicle isn’t on EMPTY.

3. Open the hood to check your battery cables to make certain one has not wiggled loose.   If you’re not getting any power at all, for example if the headlights aren’t working, the radio is dead and the windshield wipers don’t work, you probably have a dead battery especially in winter months.   Also check to be certain the battery posts aren’t corroded.  If they look bad, use a rag to wipe them don if you don’t have a brush handy. You may be able to jump-start the vehicle to make it home or to your destination (to learn how to jump start a vehicle, check out this Cars for Girls article: How to Jump Start Your Vehicle).

4. Make sure you have the right key in the ignition.  I know it sounds silly, but it can happen.  In fact, just last week I put the wrong key into a car ignition and while it slipped right in, it wouldn’t turn over.  It took me a few minutes to realize what I’d actually done!

5. Some vehicles won’t start unless the driver seat belt is fastened, so make sure you’re buckled in.

6. Some cars won’t start if the alarm system is on, so be certain all alarms are off. 

7. Usually if your vehicle has power (lights, radio, etc.) but refuses to turn over, it means the starter has seen better days, especially if it’s intermittent; sometimes the vehicle will start right up  while other times it doesn’t.   If you hear a click-click-click noise as you attempt to start the car and yet nothing happens, it’s a bad starter and without the proper tools, unfortunately you’ll have to call a tow truck.

8. Check oil and transmission fluid and fill if necessary.

9. Sometimes a vehicle won’t start if the spark plugs are bad.  If so, they will need to be replaced.

10. The ignition switch may be worn out or faulty.  This can be caused by a variety of different things such as age or even heavy key chains.

11. If you don’t hear the fuel pump immediately kick in when you attempt to turn the ignition over, the fuel pump has probably gone out and again, unless you know how to change it yourself and have the right tools at your disposal, you’ll need to call in for a tow.

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