Why is the car not responding when starting?
3 Answers
Possible reasons for the car not responding when starting are as follows: Engine malfunction: Related to issues such as poor performance of the main fuel injector, cold start injector, temperature control switch, ECU and control circuit, weak battery, damaged ignition or pulse generator, fuel system not supplying fuel or supplying fuel abnormally, etc. Automatic transmission malfunction: Slow acceleration, strong impact during automatic gear shifting, high oil temperature, lack of high-speed gear, inability to start, inability to shift the gear lever, etc. Most automatic transmission faults are caused by untimely maintenance and adjustment, apart from component failures due to long-term use.
When I was working in auto repair, I often encountered this situation. If the car doesn't make any sound when starting, the most likely cause is a dead battery, especially if there were previous symptoms like difficulty starting or dim lights. Try replacing the battery. A faulty starter is also a common reason—if there's no sound at all or just a single click when starting, you should check its motor and gears. Issues with the ignition system, such as worn spark plugs or faulty ignition coils, can also cause this, where too much carbon buildup on the spark plugs prevents ignition. A clogged fuel system, like a dirty fuel pump or filter, can cut off fuel supply and prevent starting. Short circuits or blown fuses can sometimes be the culprit too. A simple voltage test with a multimeter can help—if it reads below 12V, it's likely a battery issue. Don't delay fixing such problems, as they can easily affect safe driving.
My old car often has this issue where there's no response at all when trying to start it. After checking a few times, it's mainly caused by an aging or depleted battery, especially more noticeable in cold winter weather. Using jumper cables to borrow power can confirm this. It could also be a starter motor failure—if you don't hear any sound, it likely needs replacement. Last time, I spent some money to fix it and that solved the problem. Other issues like the fuel pump not supplying fuel or poor contact in the ignition switch have also occurred, especially in cars that haven't been maintained after long trips. I suggest first trying to listen for a clicking sound when turning the key—if there's no sound, the problem lies with the starter motor. In short, regularly check the battery voltage and replace the fuel filter periodically for prevention.
