What Causes a Car to Fail to Start with Abnormal Noises?
4 Answers
Such as carbon deposit-related faults in the fuel system, spark plugs, throttle body, etc. Below is relevant information about car engines: Engine Introduction: The car engine is the machine that provides power to the vehicle, serving as the heart of the car, influencing its power performance, fuel economy, and environmental friendliness. Depending on the power source, car engines can be categorized into diesel engines, gasoline engines, electric vehicle motors, and hybrid systems, among others. Engine Principle: The engine is the power source of a car. Most car engines are thermal power devices, commonly referred to as heat engines. Heat engines convert the thermal energy generated by fuel combustion into mechanical energy through changes in the state of the working medium.
Last time my car wouldn't start and made a 'clicking' sound, turns out it was a starter motor issue. As someone who's driven for over a decade, I've encountered this several times, especially in winter when the battery ages or terminal connections loosen. The starter gear can't engage the flywheel properly, causing this sound. I recommend first identifying the type of abnormal noise - if it's a scraping sound, it might be a broken belt or seized axle; if it's a whirring sound without power, perhaps low battery voltage is causing weak starting. You can check for battery terminal corrosion yourself and use a multimeter to test if voltage drops below 12V. Otherwise, have a mechanic repair the starter or replace components - don't force-start to avoid engine damage. Also, regular maintenance can prevent such issues. Remember unusual noises are often early warnings.
As a new car owner, I've also experienced the embarrassing situation of the car not starting and making strange noises. It happened one winter morning when the car made a rumbling sound but wouldn't start—turned out the battery was dead and the terminals were corroded. For beginners, I think the first step is to check simple issues: see if the headlights are dim, listen if the horn sounds weak, or try jump-starting with cables. Unusual noises during startup might come from impacts like a bad starter motor or belt issues, but don't rush to disassemble—ask a friend for help or take it to a repair shop. Develop good habits: check the battery condition and clean the terminals monthly to avoid many troubles. Also, remember that such abnormalities are usually signals of electrical system failures.
A few days ago when I went out driving, the car absolutely wouldn't start and made terrible metal grinding noises - it was so frustrating. Turned out I'd forgotten to change the engine oil on time, causing excessive engine wear. For regular drivers like us, strange noises often stem from maintenance neglect - like dried-up engine oil or rusted components. If the noise sounds like 'clucking', it might be a broken water pump or fan belt; for quieter noises, check the spark plugs or fuel pump. Don't keep trying to start it repeatedly as this accelerates damage - just call a tow truck for repairs. Maintenance is crucial - checking oil levels monthly can prevent problems.
