What Causes a Car with Power to Fail to Start and Produce Abnormal Noises?

[SanVictoria]

Insufficient battery voltage, fuel supply system malfunctions, and poor ignition system performance can all lead to a situation where the car has power but fails to start while producing abnormal noises. Insufficient Battery Voltage: Battery failure or excessive discharge can result in insufficient power, making it unable to drive the starter motor. Normally, the starting voltage of the battery should not be lower than 11.45V. If the voltage is below this threshold, the car will not start properly. You can use a multimeter to check the voltage between the battery terminals. If necessary, replace the battery or use jumper cables to start the car. Fuel Supply System Malfunction: Blockages in the low-pressure fuel line, loose or leaking pipes, air in the high-pressure fuel line, poor technical condition of the injectors, or incorrect injection timing can all cause fuel supply system malfunctions. In such cases, there will be insufficient combustible gas in the cylinders, preventing the car from starting. It is necessary to visit a repair facility to systematically check whether all components of the fuel supply system are functioning properly. Poor Ignition System Performance: Components such as the ignition coil and spark plugs in the ignition system are wear-prone parts and typically need to be replaced every 50,000 to 80,000 kilometers. If they are not replaced for a long time, the insufficient ignition energy will fail to completely ignite the combustible gas mixture in the cylinders, preventing the car from starting.

[StGianna]

Last time I drove my old car, I ran into this issue. It had power but wouldn't start and just made a clicking noise, almost made me late. Usually, it's a problem with the starter, like when the gear doesn't engage properly with the engine's flywheel, causing that annoying clicking sound. It could also be that the battery shows power but actually doesn't have enough voltage, so the starter can't turn and just buzzes or gives up completely. Additionally, a loose drive belt or a faulty tensioner might cause sharp friction noises. I've checked it myself before—first, see if the battery terminals are loose and test the voltage; if that doesn't work, try turning the key and listening to where the sound is coming from, whether it's the engine bay or underneath, to roughly identify the problem. But it's best not to force it too many times to avoid damaging more parts. Get professional help right away—they can diagnose the issue quickly with their equipment.

[SanEmily]

I usually drive just for convenience, but last time when I started the car, the lights were on but it wouldn't start and made a screeching sound, which was really annoying. There could be several reasons: the battery is too old to power the starter, the starter itself has a problem like being stuck, making a clicking noise; or the belt is loose and rubbing, creating noise. I tried turning the key a few times, and the noise got louder. Later, a friend reminded me to be careful not to damage other parts, so I quickly called for a tow truck. Actually, for such issues, ordinary car owners can do some simple checks: open the hood and listen for the source of the noise. If it's coming from the belt area, it might be a tensioner problem; if it's near the starter, then the starter is likely the issue. Don't delay—take it to a repair shop for safety and peace of mind.

[MaciLynn]

The starter or battery is probably aging. If the car has power but won't start and there's abnormal noise, it's mostly due to the starter gear being worn and grinding, making a clicking sound; the battery may show OK but have high internal resistance and low power, causing the starter to not move and produce a humming sound; or the drive belt may be loose, creating a hissing noise. A simple check: listen to the sound location when turning the key—noise from the front of the engine is usually the starter, while noise from the side is the belt system. If you're not sure, don't mess with it—have a technician diagnose it.