Car Won't Start Immediately After Being Turned Off
3 Answers
There are many reasons why a car won't start after being turned off, usually due to fuel injector leakage, a damaged carbon canister solenoid valve causing an overly rich fuel mixture, intake air temperature sensor issues, or possibly fuel quality problems and engine carbon buildup leading to an overly lean fuel mixture. Solutions when the car won't start after being turned off are as follows: 1. If you're out driving and the car won't start, don't panic. In the trunk of the car, find the tire wrench, or look for a hard object like a rock or brick by the roadside. Climb under the car and locate the fuel tank area - the fuel pump is positioned between the tank's triangular brackets. 2. When the carbon brushes and brush holder are stuck together, use the found wrench or rock to tap this area a few times, then try starting the car again - it should start smoothly.
I've been working in auto repair for almost 20 years and have seen too many cases of failure to start after stalling. The most common issue is battery problems - unstable voltage after stalling or terminal oxidation causing poor contact, especially in older cars with batteries that have been used for five or six years. Next is loose or damaged alternator belts affecting the charging system. Worn starter motor brushes are also a frequent cause, where poor contact under high temperatures after stalling prevents engine cranking. A faulty fuel pump relay can similarly lead to no fuel supply - you'll hear a slight motor sound when turning the key but the engine won't start. If the battery warning light appears on the dashboard, it's almost certainly an electrical system issue - try jump-starting first. If that doesn't work, the car needs to be towed to the shop for diagnostic trouble code reading.
Once I drove to the supermarket, and after shopping, the car wouldn't start no matter how many times I turned the key. Later, I found out it was due to poor contact in the ignition switch, and the extremely hot and stuffy weather that day might have worsened the oxidation issue. Besides this, it could also be a faulty crankshaft position sensor; if it can't detect the engine's position, the car won't start. Another possibility is clogged fuel injectors leading to insufficient fuel supply, especially in cars that have used low-quality gasoline. Looking back, I'm just glad I didn't break down in the middle of nowhere. If you encounter such a situation, avoid continuously turning the key as it can easily blow a fuse. It's safer to call a knowledgeable friend or roadside assistance. Also, if the battery is old, running the AC or headlights before turning off the engine can drain it faster.
