What causes the car dashboard to flash and the engine not to start?
2 Answers
The reasons why the car dashboard flashes and the engine does not start are: 1. Low-pressure fuel line blockage, loose pipes causing oil leakage, air in the high-pressure fuel line, incorrect fuel injection timing angle; 2. Power supply failure, poor contact of the electromagnetic switch, poor contact between the starter motor commutator and brushes, clutch slippage in the starter transmission mechanism; 3. Cylinder head gasket damage causing air leakage, valves not sealing tightly leading to air leakage, piston and cylinder liner wear causing air leakage, insufficient cylinder compression pressure; 4. Air filter element clogged, insufficient air intake; 5. Low battery charge. The function of the battery is: to supply power to the starting system, ignition system, electronic fuel injection system, and car's electrical appliances during engine startup.
Last time my car did the same thing, the dashboard was flickering and it wouldn't start at all. I suspect the battery is dead, because the flickering indicates unstable voltage. Maybe the battery is old, or the lights were left on causing over-discharge. First try jump-starting it, if that doesn't work it could be a stuck starter or alternator issue. When I check it myself, I like to use a multimeter to test the battery voltage - it should be around 12.6 volts normally, anything lower definitely won't work. Also, batteries tend to fail more easily in winter, proper maintenance can prevent surprises. Best to take it to a repair shop for a full inspection, don't delay and risk engine damage.
