Hello, my name is Roy. For many years, I drove a 1976 Ford estate car around Sydney. The car had belonged to my grandpa. It was passed down to me when I had just passed my driving test at the age of 18. That was in 1986 and the car was already in a pretty bad condition then. Fast forward to 2006 and I was now aged 38 and still driving the same car around. Sometimes the car wouldn't start, white smoke came out of the exhaust and the gearbox made a terrible sound. I did my best to patch it up, but eventually, I had to scrap the car and buy a new one. I decided to start a blog to encourage others to service their cars.
Getting in your car and driving off should be an easy and straightforward process. You just need to push the clutch pedal all the way down to the floor (if you drive a manual car), press on the brake pedal, put the key in the ignition, and turn it.
When you are ready to start moving, take your foot off the brakes and slowly remove your foot from the clutch. However, you may have trouble starting your car, which is a common problem.
Continue reading to discover a few common reasons why your car may fail to start.
Battery failure
Your car battery is the component that provides the electricity needed to initiate the auto-ignition process. If you turn the key in the ignition and nothing happens or you can hear the starter motor but the engine won't fire, this is an indicator of battery failure.
Before getting a battery replacement, you should try jump-starting your car to see if the battery will power up the electricals. If your car starts, then the problem is with your battery charge and not the battery itself. Factors, such as excessive electrical demand, alternator malfunction, and loose or corroded battery connections, can cause your battery to lack sufficient charge.
If jump-starting doesn't get you on your way, then you should consider getting a new battery since the old one may be dead.
Faulty alternator
An alternator is the auto electrical component that charges your car battery while the vehicle is running. A faulty alternator won't be able to keep your battery charged well enough to meet the electrical demand of the vehicle. When this happens, your car will start and have trouble starting again.
Some common warning symptoms of a failing alternator include dimming headlights, malfunctioning auto electronic accessories, or the battery warning light on the dashboard.
If you see the signs of impending alternator failure, you should have them addressed before you end up getting stranded on the road.
Bad ignition switch
Also referred to as the starter switch, the ignition switch is what lets the voltage from the battery get to the ignition system, allowing the engine to start. If it is faulty, it may not activate the starter system for the purpose of igniting the engine. When this happens, your car won't start.
If your car's ignition switch is bad, you may replace it, but if the problem is with your entire ignition system, you may have to replace the entire assembly.
Car starting issues can be caused by other factors besides the ones highlighted below. If you're having trouble starting your car, visit an auto repair shop near you to get the problem fixed.
Share12 October 2021
