Is Your Vehicle Having Trouble Starting?

Having trouble getting your car to start? There’s nothing more frustrating than jumping into your car, turning the key in the ignition, and the car doesn’t start. In this article, we discuss a few common reasons why your car won’t start (and how to resolve the problem).

Battery Issues

The first thing that comes to mind when your car doesn’t start is most probably going to be the battery. While the length of battery life can vary, most car and battery manufacturers recommend replacing your car battery every 4-5 years.

If it’s been more than 4-5 years since you’ve had your battery replaced or If you have to jumpstart your car to get it started, this is a sign that your battery is completely dead or dying.

Other indicators that your battery is dying are an engine that’s slow to start, no interior lights turning on when you try to start the car, starting intermittently, or having issues starting up in extreme temperatures.

Alternator Issues

Because the two are connected, many drivers often confuse battery-related issues with alternator-related issues. You may be having trouble with your alternator if your car starts and then dies shortly after.

If your car starts, but you notice issues with interior lights and gauges flashing or flickering on and off, the alternator may be the culprit.

There are other less common issues that can keep your car from starting. The following are brief examples of these issues.

• Bad Ignition Switches – broken connections or burnout
• Failed Starters – malfunction or failure
• Fuel System Issues – malfunction or blockage
• Faulty Connections – loose or corroded cables

In some cases, it may be difficult for you to figure out why your car isn’t starting on your own. Taking your car in for service with a certified mechanic is the next best step to take.

Your certified mechanic can provide you with a diagnostic and assessment of what’s causing the issue. Get a battery, alternator, or starter inspection from a certified auto technician.

Need service right away? We invite you to bring your vehicle into our auto service center today!