Repairing Your Car

Three Reasons Your Car May Refuse To Start

The sound of your vehicle refusing to start is a sickening sound for any driver to hear, but it is especially problematic when you have no idea as to what may be causing the problem. Companies like Lamb's Automotive Repair with Care can offer more information, but here are a few common reasons your vehicle may not start, and what you can do to remedy the situation:

1. Your Car Needs New Spark Plugs

Think back to the last time that you drove your car: did it run smoothly, or did you notice that the engine sounded rough? Maybe it sounded like it was misfiring. Or perhaps your vehicle took longer than normal to accelerate, or even refused to accelerate.

All of these symptoms are indicators that your car needs new spark plugs. When a vehicle won't start or takes a while to start, this is yet another sign that the spark plugs are due to be replaced.

Spark plugs work in conjunction with your engine to create the necessary energy to power your car. Usually, spark plugs last for approximately 30,000 miles before they need to be replaced.

2. Your Starter Needs to Be Replaced

As you try to start your car, listen to any sounds that your vehicle is making. If you hear a grinding noise when you try to start your car, this can indicate that you need to have your starter replaced. A clicking sound or no sound at all may also point to problems with your starter, especially if your lights still work.

The starter helps combine the spark from your spark plugs, air, and fuel so that your car can crank. If your starter wears out, it will not function correctly.

There is no specific recommendation for how frequently you should replace your starter. Over time, wear and tear from driving causes the starter to go bad. 

3. Your Car Needs a New Battery or the Existing Battery Needs to be Charged

When your car won't crank, one of the first things you should do is see if you can power on the exterior or interior lights. If your car is completely dead, this may mean that your battery is dead and needs to be replaced or recharged.

It can also indicate a problem with your battery wires or terminals. A charged battery will not power your vehicle if there is no connection. You can have your local mechanic or auto part store test your battery to see if it is the problem.

Car batteries last anywhere from two to five years. Though car batteries can and do die overnight, sometimes there are warning signs that the battery is going bad. If your engine sounds sluggish when you try to crank your car, this may be an indication that your battery is nearing the end of its lifespan.


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