What are the reasons why a car motor won't start?
4 Answers
Car motor won't start due to: severe wear of starter carbon brushes, malfunction of starter control mechanism, or damage to starter clutch. Reasons why a car won't start after being parked for long time are: 1. Car battery is dead; 2. Low temperature causes reduced viscosity and rotation speed of engine oil; 3. Ignition system malfunction; 4. Insufficient fuel level; 5. Excessive carbon deposits inside engine; 6. Damaged fuel pump preventing fuel supply from fuel tank for combustion. Solutions include: 1. Check if battery is dead; 2. Inspect fuel pump for damage; 3. Verify sufficient fuel level; 4. Examine engine sensors for faults; 5. Check ignition system for issues; 6. Use heating rod to warm up engine oil.
I've encountered the issue of a car engine not starting several times, with the most common cause being a dead battery. Often, if you don't pay attention and leave the air conditioning or headlights on after turning off the engine, the battery drains quickly. Additionally, the ignition system is prone to problems; if the spark plugs have too much carbon buildup or the high-voltage wires are aged, the engine won't start. Fuel system issues are also critical—if the fuel pump is broken or the fuel injectors are clogged, the engine won't get fuel and won't start. Faulty sensors can be troublesome too; a malfunctioning crankshaft position sensor can prevent the computer from knowing when to ignite. It's also important to check for a stuck starter gear or blown fuses. If you encounter this situation, avoid continuously turning the key; instead, it's safer to borrow jumper cables or ask someone to help push-start the car.
The most common reason for the engine not starting is a dead battery, especially in winter when low temperatures cause the battery capacity to drop faster. Secondly, ignition system failures should not be overlooked, as excessive spark plug gaps or aging ignition coils can affect ignition efficiency. Fuel system issues should also be considered; a clogged filter or insufficient fuel pump voltage can lead to fuel supply interruption. Additionally, don't forget to check if the starter relay and fuses are intact, as some older cars may fail to start due to short circuits caused by aging wiring. Mechanical problems with the starter itself are rare, but if there's a clicking sound during startup, it might indicate a starter gear issue. Regular maintenance should pay attention to these components to avoid being stranded unexpectedly.
Common causes of failure to start, ranked by probability: Dead battery accounts for 70%, especially old batteries over 3 years old are most prone to issues. Ignition system problems rank second, spark plugs not replaced after 40,000 km can easily fail to ignite. Fuel system faults are relatively rare but troublesome, possible causes include excessive water content in gasoline or sudden fuel pump failure. Emergency handling is simple: first try jump-starting or charging; if that doesn't work, check the 15A starting fuse in the fuse box. Key remote signal issues are becoming increasingly common, sometimes solvable by just replacing the battery. When all else fails, calling a tow truck is the safest option.
