Why Won’t My Car Start?

It’s one of the most frustrating things that can happen to a person. You get in your car to get ready to head out somewhere. Maybe you’re headed to work, or home from work after a long, stressful day. Perhaps you’re trying to meet some friends out or are about to start off on a long trip. But you stick your key in the ignition and your vehicle won’t start.

With no warning you’re likely stranded with a car that cannot perform its intended function. The natural first question to ask is why won’t the car start? There are multiple reasons why a vehicle would suddenly have trouble starting. Here are just a few of them:

Dead Battery

This is, by far, the most likely scenario. You can kill a battery by leaving the radio or lights on, or just by exposing it to extreme weather. A dying battery can also mean that your alternator is failing, which is a far more serious issue. Sometimes, a battery is just nearing the end of its life and needs to be replaced. If you notice that the cranking of the engine is sluggish or if there are no lights or sounds when you turn the key in the ignition, that’s likely the sigh of a dead battery. It can be fixed temporarily with jumper cables, but you’ll need to consider a more permanent solution.

Bad Starter

Your starter is an electrical motor connected to the battery that sets the engine in motion when you turn the key. If the starter is faulty or broken, the engine will not crank properly, and you won’t be able to start your car. You can tell this is the case if you start to hear a clicking noise when you attempt to start the car.

Busted Alternator

The alternator has the important job of charging your battery. When it stops working as well as it should, your battery is no longer charged and is far more likely to die. If you suspect this is the issue, you can check to see how the drive belt in your engine is functioning. If you can’t immediately diagnose a problem, it might be wise to see a mechanic.

If your vehicle won’t start and you don’t know why, there’s no one more prepared to help you in the area of Henderson, Nevada than Master Tech Automotive and Cycle Repair. We can use our considerable experience to diagnose the issue for you. Call 702-641-9389 today to set up an appointment today!