What Causes the Dashboard Not Lighting Up and the Car Not Starting?
2 Answers
Possible causes are as follows: 1. All dashboard lights are off, and there is no starter motor sound when turning the key: This definitely indicates the car battery is dead. It is recommended to check if the battery connection is burnt out. If so, reconnect it yourself with proper insulation measures and drive to a repair shop for further handling. If the connection is fine, then the battery is simply dead and needs replacement. 2. Low-voltage circuit failure or high-voltage circuit failure requires professional maintenance and testing at a specialized repair department: Apart from improper human operation, other possible causes include starter motor failure, fuel pump supply issues, injector problems, sensor failure, poor fuel pump performance, or faulty spark plugs. In these more complex situations, professional assistance is required.
The same thing happened to my car last year. Just as I was about to leave, the dashboard went completely dark, and turning the key gave no response. I suspected it was a battery issue since the dashboard requires electricity to display, and starting the engine also needs the battery to provide initial power. I quickly checked the battery terminals and found them slightly loose. I also measured the voltage, which was only 10 volts—normally, it should be above 12. If a fuse had blown, it could cause this too, so I needed to check the relevant circuits in the fuse box. Additionally, aging or oxidized wiring causing poor contact could also cut off power and affect all systems. This situation is quite dangerous, especially at night, so it's best to regularly maintain battery connections and use jumper cables to start the car temporarily before heading to a repair shop.
