What could be the reason when the car shows no response at all when turning the key?

[CharlieRose]

It might be due to a dead battery. Here are the signs indicating a battery is about to fail: 1. The vehicle is harder to start than usual: It requires multiple attempts to ignite, feeling like there's insufficient power. 2. The vehicle idles: The headlights dim quickly after turning bright, indicating the battery is low on power and needs replacement. 3. When the battery is nearing the end of its life: It affects the alternator's performance. Typically, abnormal noises, such as slight squeaking sounds, may occur when starting the vehicle, usually lasting for a few seconds or less. As the power decreases, the frequency and duration of these noises will gradually increase. 4. Occasionally, after parking and attempting to restart, the entire vehicle loses power: This happens because, as the battery nears the end of its life, the starting current is insufficient, leading to increased oxidation at the battery terminals and resulting in a total power loss.

[JulietteMarie]

I encountered this exact situation last time – when I tried to start the car, there was no response at all, not even the lights came on, which really gave me a scare! The most common culprit is battery issues – either an aged battery or one that's completely drained, cutting off all electrical circuits. First, check if the battery terminals are loose or corroded, and try tightening them; if that doesn't work, the battery might have reached the end of its lifespan and needs replacement. While anti-theft systems can sometimes malfunction and lock the ignition, battery problems are far more frequent. In such cases, avoid tampering randomly – the safest approach is to have it inspected by a professional repair shop, as safety comes first. Also, don’t forget to maintain your battery regularly to prevent similar incidents.

[BethanyAnn]

As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I'm very familiar with this situation - the car shows no response when turning the key. It's most likely a battery issue, as a dead battery or corroded connections can cause all electronic devices in the vehicle to stop working. You can first test the voltage to see if it's below 12 volts. If that doesn't work, try jump-starting with a spare battery. Additionally, ignition switch or anti-theft system failures could also cause no response, but battery problems are the primary culprit. I recommend paying attention to regular battery maintenance and not neglecting it, especially during winter when batteries are more prone to losing charge. While this problem isn't difficult to solve, it should be addressed promptly to avoid being stranded on the road.

[DeGage]

The car doesn't respond at all when turning the key? Too common! I often fix my own car and love figuring these things out. It's likely a battery issue, like loose terminals or being completely drained, which interrupts the entire circuit. It could also be a blown fuse—just check in the engine compartment. The ignition system or anti-theft lockout are possible but less likely. Try moving the battery cables first to see if they're tight; if that doesn't work, check the main fuse in the fuse box. Simple problems can be fixed yourself—don't panic.