What are the reasons for a car suddenly failing to start?
2 Answers
Reasons why a car suddenly fails to start: 1. The car is out of fuel; 2. The gear is not properly adjusted. For automatic transmission cars, the gear should be in P (Park) or N (Neutral) when starting. If it is in R (Reverse) or D (Drive), the car may fail to start; 3. The steering wheel is locked. If the steering wheel is not straightened when parking and is at a slightly larger angle, the steering wheel will automatically lock. At this time, the key may not turn, preventing ignition. To unlock the steering wheel, turn the steering wheel forcefully while turning the key; 4. The fuel filter is clogged. Different degrees of clogging in the fuel filter can cause insufficient fuel supply, leading to poor fuel return, excessive fuel system pressure, and overly rich air-fuel mixture, resulting in the car failing to start or experiencing jerking while driving.
I just encountered this issue, and it turns out there could be many reasons why a car won't start. The most common one is a dead battery—maybe you forgot to turn off the lights when parking, or the battery is too old and hasn't been replaced for a long time. Corroded battery terminals can also cause poor contact. If you turn the key and only hear a clicking sound but the engine won't start, it's likely a faulty starter, which requires a check at the repair shop. Running out of fuel sounds silly, but it really happens—I've seen cases where the fuel gauge was broken and showed incorrect readings. Additionally, a faulty ignition coil or severely carbon-fouled spark plugs can also prevent the car from starting, so they need regular replacement. Last time, my car wouldn't start due to the anti-theft system being mistakenly activated, but a simple restart fixed it. Extremely cold weather can also make it harder to start the engine as the oil thickens, so remember to use the right grade of oil.
