What Causes a Car to Suddenly Fail to Start?

[McKai]

There are several reasons why a car may suddenly fail to start, including running out of fuel, a faulty crankshaft position sensor, or excessive carbon buildup. Below are detailed explanations of these causes and their solutions: 1. Running Out of Fuel: If the car has very little fuel left or the fuel gauge indicates that it is below the red line, it naturally won't start. The first thing you should do is check the fuel gauge to see if there is any fuel left. Avoid waiting until the tank is completely empty before refueling, as this not only affects the engine's lifespan but also damages the fuel pump. 2. Faulty Crankshaft Position Sensor: The crankshaft position sensor is one of the most critical sensors in an electronically controlled fuel injection system, especially in centralized control systems. It is also a shared sensor for both the ignition system and the fuel injection system. Its function is to monitor the crankshaft's position, allowing the engine's computer to detect the speed signal. If the crankshaft position sensor fails, the computer cannot detect the speed signal and thus cannot determine whether ignition is occurring, resulting in the car failing to start. 3. Excessive Carbon Buildup: Too much carbon buildup can cause poor spark plug ignition, leaky valves, and inefficient fuel injector operation, leading to misfires, sluggish acceleration, engine shaking, and in severe cases, failure to start. Excessive carbon buildup in the throttle body can obstruct airflow, preventing the engine from starting due to lack of air.