What Are the Reasons for the Squeaking Sound When Turning the Key and the Car Not Starting?
2 Answers
The reasons for the squeaking sound when turning the key and the car not starting are: 1. The steering wheel is in a locked state; 2. Insufficient fuel in the car, causing abnormal fuel pump supply; 3. Malfunction in individual fuel injectors; 4. For automatic transmission models, it is essential to place the gear in P or N position when starting. If placed in R or D position, the car will not start. Additionally, some manual transmission cars will not start if the clutch is not depressed. Solutions for the squeaking sound when turning the key and the car not starting: 1. Use a multimeter to measure whether the car battery voltage reaches 12V or above. If the measured voltage is less than 10V, the car cannot be started, and the battery must be charged or jump-started using another vehicle's battery; 2. If the battery is normal, use a multimeter to check if the starter's power supply terminal has electricity. If not, it indicates a power supply issue in the starting system, requiring inspection of the starter wiring for looseness, breakage, aging, etc. After repair, turn the key again to attempt starting.
I encountered this issue when driving my old car before. When turning the key, it made a squeaking sound and wouldn't start—most likely due to a dead battery or an aging starter motor. The squeaking noise usually means the motor is turning but lacks sufficient power, or the gears are worn and stuck. Don't panic yet. Try turning on the headlights to check their brightness. If the lights are very dim, it's probably a battery issue, and charging it might solve the problem. If charging doesn't work, the solenoid inside the motor might be faulty and need replacement. As a regular practice, I recommend checking and cleaning the battery terminals every month to prevent rust buildup on the connectors—this can avoid a lot of trouble. I once saw a neighbor force-start the car and burn out the motor, which ended up being very expensive to repair. So, if you discover an issue, it's best to call a tow truck and take it to a professional repair shop. Safety first.
