What are the reasons for the car dashboard lighting up but the engine not starting?
2 Answers
The reason for the car dashboard lighting up but the engine not starting is: poor contact at the battery terminals. The battery has positive and negative terminals, each with wires attached. The connection points can easily become oxidized, leading to poor contact. Sanding the terminals with sandpaper is a common practice. After sanding, tighten the screws at the connection points with a screwdriver and apply some oil to prevent oxidation. This is an effective method, though it can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. Alternatively, a simpler method is to pour hot water over the terminals. Failure to start is usually due to an ignition system malfunction, which can be categorized into low-voltage circuit faults and high-voltage circuit faults depending on the location of the ignition system.
I remember last winter, my car had this issue—all the dashboard lights were on, but it just wouldn’t start. At first, I thought the battery was dead, but after checking, I found the terminals were corroded. After cleaning them, it started right up. Common causes also include an aging battery, leading to insufficient voltage—the dashboard draws little power so the lights stay on, but the starter needs a high current and can’t handle it. If you hear a clicking sound when trying to start, it’s likely a battery issue; if it’s silent, the ignition switch or starter relay might be faulty. Cold weather makes this more likely, so don’t delay—call roadside assistance or try a jump-start to avoid a completely dead battery and needing a tow truck.
