What to Do When the Car Suddenly Has No Power and Can't Start?
3 Answers
Bring the two vehicles close together and use a cable with sufficient load-bearing capacity and insulated outer sheath to allow the engine to run for a few minutes to ensure sufficient power. Start slowly when initiating the process. The driver of the front car should pay attention to the movement of the rear car, and the driver of the rear car should promptly signal the front car after the vehicle starts.
When the car suddenly loses power and won't start, I first calmly assess the situation. Turn the key to the ACC position and observe if the dashboard lights are dim or unresponsive to confirm a battery issue. If another vehicle is present, use jumper cables: connect the red clip to both batteries' positive terminals, attach the black clip first to the healthy car's positive terminal, then to the faulty car's negative terminal or engine metal frame to avoid short circuits. Start the healthy car's engine, let it run for a few minutes, then attempt to start the faulty car. If unsuccessful, check for corroded or loose battery terminals—clean and retry. Possible causes include a damaged alternator failing to charge or lights left on draining the battery. If unable to resolve urgently, call for towing service. Develop habits like turning off lights when parking and regularly testing battery voltage—recharge or replace if below 12 volts to minimize unexpected issues.
During a trip, my car suddenly wouldn't start when parked halfway, which gave me a scare. When checking the trunk tools, I found the battery connection was loose. Simple troubleshooting: first listen if the key turning makes a clicking sound but the engine doesn't crank; or use a phone light to check for corrosion on battery terminals. Borrow jumper cables from a passing car, connect the batteries properly, and wait a few minutes to charge before attempting to start. After that incident, I always carry a portable jump starter kit with me. Leaving interior lights on is a common cause, and using AC in summer also drains the battery. It's recommended to test battery life every six months, as old batteries are prone to issues. If all else fails, don't force it - contact your insurance company for free roadside assistance, safety first.
