What are the common reasons for a car failing to start?

1 Answers
DeOlive
07/30/25 4:29am
Reasons for a car failing to start: 1. Dead battery: This could be due to prolonged headlight usage draining the battery or the battery reaching the end of its lifespan. It is generally recommended to replace the battery every 2 years. 2. Incorrect gear position: For automatic transmission vehicles, the gear must be in P (Park) or N (Neutral) to start. If left in R (Reverse) or D (Drive), the car won't start. Manual transmission vehicles require the clutch to be depressed to start. 3. Fuel quality issues: Owners are reminded to always refuel at reputable gas stations. When traveling, carrying a piece of gauze to wrap around the fuel nozzle can help filter out impurities. 4. Lack of antifreeze: Some owners use water or low-quality antifreeze, which can cause the entire cooling system to freeze in extremely cold winter conditions, leading to a cracked engine and rendering the water pump inoperable, preventing the car from starting and damaging other engine components. 5. Excessive carbon buildup in the vehicle: A solution is to frequently drive at high speeds. Additionally, there's a small trick for starting the car: before turning the key to start, turn it to the ON position and then back, then turn it to the START position to ignite. This allows the computer to calculate the water temperature and optimal air intake, making the ignition smoother.
Was this review help?
20
5
Share
More Forum Discussions

What Are the 5 Signs That a Tire Is About to Fail?

The 5 signs that a tire is about to fail are: 1. Severe tire wear: Regardless of the tire brand, wear indicators are set in the grooves of the tread. When the tread depth wears down to the same level as the raised indicator rubber, it means it's time to replace the tire; 2. Sidewall cracks: The sidewall is the weakest part of the tire, and the cord layer provides strength. If the sidewall cord layer is damaged, there is a high chance of a tire blowout; 3. Tire aging: Over time, tires will gradually show signs of aging (tread cracks, hardened rubber); 4. Tire bulges: When the wheel receives uneven impacts, bulges may appear in certain areas; 5. Large punctures or excessive repairs: If the puncture is too large or the tire has been repaired too many times, it directly affects driving safety.
3
3
Share

Can You Continue Driving When the ABS Light Is On?

When the ABS warning light is on, it is recommended not to continue driving, as the illuminated ABS light indicates a malfunction in the vehicle's anti-lock braking system. During emergency braking, if the wheels lock up, the vehicle may lose control and skid, making it difficult for the driver to decelerate or adjust the vehicle's trajectory, posing significant safety risks. The ABS light can illuminate under various conditions, each with different causes and solutions, as detailed below: Condition 1: ABS warning light stays on continuously (most common). Cause 1: The ABS wheel speed sensor's sensing area is covered by dirt, mud, or other contaminants, affecting the sensor's ability to detect the corresponding speed signal. This prevents the ABS control unit from determining the vehicle speed and wheel slip rate, thus failing to issue appropriate commands to regulate braking. Solution: Clean the dirt from the wheel speed sensor and adjust the gap between the sensor and the signal ring to restore normal function. Cause 2: Poor signal quality due to loose connections in the system wiring or poor contact in the ABS relay, leading to system failure. Solution: Inspect wiring connections and reconnect any loose parts. Condition 2: ABS warning light intermittently illuminates but turns off during acceleration. Cause: When multiple electrical devices are in use, the battery voltage drops below 10.5V. As engine speed increases, voltage rises, and the ABS light turns off. This can also occur if the ABS system's power supply voltage is too low, such as due to poor terminal contact or grounding issues. Solution: Check the battery's specific gravity, inspect the charging system, and examine the power supply (e.g., voltage relay or poor power contact). Condition 3: ABS warning light remains on after engine start and only turns off when the engine is turned off (IGFF). Cause: Poor grounding contact in the ABS hydraulic valve body, loose wiring connections in the ABS hydraulic valve body, or a faulty ABS control unit. Solution: Loosen and retighten the grounding screw on the hydraulic valve body, clean contact surfaces if necessary, check for enlarged connector gaps, and replace the ABS or ABS/ASR control unit if needed. Condition 4: ABS warning light illuminates during high-speed driving. Cause: The ABS control unit detects a significant discrepancy between rear and front wheel speed signals during high-speed driving, or incorrect tire or wheel rim specifications. Solution: Refer to the vehicle's tire and wheel rim specifications, typically listed on the fuel tank cap label. Condition 5: ABS warning light intermittently illuminates. Cause: Improper adjustment of the brake light switch or poor internal contact in the brake light. Solution: With the engine running, press the brake pedal, push the brake switch linkage down fully with your fingers, then release the pedal to complete the self-setting process. Replace the brake light switch if necessary.
11
4
Share

How to Check the National Emission Standard of a Vehicle on the Motor Vehicle Environmental Protection Website?

The method to check the national emission standard of a vehicle on the Motor Vehicle Environmental Protection Website is as follows: 1. Log in to the Motor Vehicle Environmental Protection Website; 2. Enter the vehicle information as prompted and proceed with the query; 3. Compare the vehicle model and engine model based on the query results, and then verify the vehicle's manufacturing date with the public date in the query results. Additionally, vehicle owners can also directly inquire at the Vehicle Management Office. The specific method is: take the vehicle registration certificate to the corresponding window at the Vehicle Management Office and ask the staff to conduct the query. The national emission standard of a vehicle can also be determined based on the time: National I standard was implemented nationwide on July 1, 2001; National II standard was implemented nationwide on July 1, 2004; National III standard was implemented nationwide on July 1, 2007; National IV standard was implemented nationwide on July 1, 2010; National V standard was implemented nationwide on January 1, 2018.
18
5
Share

What is the significance of wheelbase size for a vehicle?

The significance of wheelbase size for a vehicle is: Generally speaking, the higher the class of the car, the longer the wheelbase. A larger wheelbase results in a longer cabin length, providing more spacious seating for passengers and better resistance to pitch and yaw. While a long wheelbase improves straight-line cruising stability, it reduces steering flexibility, increases the turning radius, and diminishes the vehicle's maneuverability. From the perspective of vehicle component layout, the wheelbase essentially determines the position of the car's center of gravity. If one wishes to alter the wheelbase, it is necessary to redesign the layout of the vehicle's components, especially the bulky transmission system and body styling. Additionally, parameters such as the springs and shock absorbers in the suspension system must be adjusted accordingly based on rigorous testing.
20
1
Share

Why Should You Pick Up Your Car in the Morning?

There is no rule that you must pick up your car in the morning; you can do it at any time, and there are not many specific requirements. There is no difference between picking up the car in the morning or afternoon. However, the temperature in the morning is more comfortable, while in the afternoon, the high temperature can be unbearable for everyone. Another reason is that picking up a car involves handling many procedures. If you do it in the morning, you will have plenty of time, whereas in the afternoon, you might worry about not completing the procedures on time, which could delay the pickup. When picking up your car, pay attention to the following: check whether the car is from inventory, whether there are any signs of body repair or repainting on the surface, whether the car's certificate and other documents are complete, and whether the interior shows signs of wear. Additionally, insurance purchased at the 4S store only takes effect at 12:00 AM, so drive carefully on your way home.
4
1
Share

What is the city order of license plate numbers in Zhejiang Province?

The city order of license plate numbers in Zhejiang Province is: Zhe A is Hangzhou, Zhe B is Ningbo, Zhe C is Wenzhou, Zhe D is Shaoxing, Zhe E is Huzhou, Zhe F is Jiaxing, Zhe G is Jinhua, Zhe H is Quzhou, Zhe J is Taizhou, Zhe K is Lishui, Zhe L is Zhoushan. License plates, commonly known as vehicle plates, refer to the plates hung on the front and rear of a vehicle, usually made of aluminum, iron, plastic, or paper, engraved with the vehicle's registration number, registration area, or other relevant information. The main purpose is to identify the vehicle's region of registration through the license plate and to trace the vehicle's owner and registration details based on the plate.
10
0
Share
Cookie
Cookie Settings
© 2025 Servanan International Pte. Ltd.