Car won't start - possible causes and how to fix them

 It's always annoying when the car refuses to work or simply dies while driving. But if the car does not start, there is no need to panic at first. The probability that it is just a small defect is very high. However, in order to find the correct cause, it is necessary to have a deep understanding of how a car works. In this guide, you can read everything about what can cause a vehicle to fail and how you can help yourself in such a case.

What does a car need to drive?

A vehicle with a combustion engine needs six things to drive. These are:

If only one of these systems fails, the entire engine will also fail. Depending on which system is affected, the engine can simply be repaired or can only be repaired again with a great deal of effort.

The engine does not start anymore - fuel system fault

When a car does not start or stop, the first suspicion falls on the fuel supply. If the car doesn’t turn on but doesn’t want to start, it is possible that there is simply no more gasoline in the tank. However, if the tank display shows there is still a remaining capacity, the float will have got stuck in the tank. This can be checked by simply refueling with some gasoline and trying again to start the car. You need a little patience, as a completely empty fuel system must first of all bleed itself again.

If the tank empties unusually quickly, watch out for the smell of gasoline. A fuel line may be leaking. Finally, the fuel pump may also have failed.

Vehicle strikes often - control error

Tax errors in the vehicle usually have fatal consequences. If the timing belt or timing chain breaks, the engine will stop immediately and will not start again. In this case, the engine is usually badly damaged from the inside so that an expensive repair is required. This is checked by looking into the housing of the toothed belt or timing chain. If the controls are loose, the cause has been found. The repair is not about replacing the belt or chain. In this case, the engine must be completely dismantled.

Car ignition does not start - fault in the power supply

the car does not start spark plugs the most common cause of the car not starting is a fault in the power supply. The electrical current is generated in the alternator, stored in the battery, and sent to the spark plugs in the engine block via the ignition coil and distributor. Electricity must always flow in circles. If the circuit is interrupted, there is no more power supply. A return line back to the alternator is the body of the vehicle. That is why the alternator and battery must always be earthed, ie they are connected to the body with cables.

Corrosion can occur between this connection cable and the body. If this is not recognized, the car will start with poorer and worse, until at some point it no longer wants to start. The solution to the problem is very simple: you unscrew the earth cable, sand it bare and apply pole grease to it. Then they are screwed back on and the problem is resolved.

the engine does not start timing chain ignition coil transforms the 24-volt current supplied by the alternator into a 10,000-volt ignition current. A cable runs from the ignition coil to the distributor. In older vehicles, it can happen that the cable in the distributor has come loose. This is the simplest cause when the car does not start: Simply plug the cable back into place and the journey can continue. However, if the plug is in place, but the cable sparkles when it is started, the insulation is damaged. That could be a marten bite. As an immediate measure, the ignition cable should be wrapped with insulating tape.

If the car then starts, the entire engine compartment must be checked for further marten bites. If he gnaws at a coolant hose, there is a risk of major engine damage.

the car does not start battery full another problem related to the power supply may be the starter motor. This consists of an electric motor and an electromagnetically operated release mechanism. The starter can wear out over time or its connection contacts can corrode. A defective starter is noticeable by a rasping noise. Then the electromagnet no longer fully disengages the gearbox from the starter while the electric motor is still cranking it. With a little luck, you can fix this error. Most of the time, however, only the exchange remains.

If the alternator fails, the battery will no longer be charged. This is usually indicated by a permanently lit display on the dashboard. If this is ignored for too long, the ignition coil will eventually no longer receive any ignition current. In this case, the battery must first be recharged and then the alternator examined. In most cases, the defects on the generator are also only very minor: Either the drive belt is defective or the carbon brushes are used up. Both can be repaired with little money and a few simple steps.

A car suddenly no longer starts - air supply fault

the car does not jump is rare for a car to break down due to a faulty air supply, but it is theoretically possible. If there is a foreign body in the intake tract or the air filter is completely dirty, the engine does not get enough oxygen to prepare the mixture. This error is usually announced by a sharp increase in fuel consumption and a hot engine. In this case, it is sufficient to simply change the air filter and examine the intake system to make the car fully functional again.

The car does not start - fault in the oil and water supply

the car does not start with any starting noises the supply of cooling water or lubricant fails, there is a risk of major engine damage. The well-known piston seizure is a consequence of the lack of one of these substances. If this error occurs, the car can no longer be repaired with household remedies but requires a thorough overhaul of the engine. Therefore: As soon as the engine control lamp or the warning lamps for cooling water or oil pressure come on, switch off the engine immediately!

Procedure when the engine is on strike

With this checklist you can narrow down the cause of your car stopped:

Did the car stop while driving?

- petrol all

- ignition contact defective

- engine damage

Doesn't the car want to start again afterward?

Starter organ: engine control OK, petrol all or ignition cables loose

- check the fuel gauge.

- If the fuel gauge is empty: refuel.

- If the fuel gauge is sufficient: check the ignition wiring.

- If the ignition cable is loose: Put the ignition plug back in again.

- If ignition cables start sparking: insulation is damaged. Wrap with insulating tape and replace as soon as possible.

- If the ignition cable is OK: refuel.

- If the car does not start despite sufficient fuel: push the car.

- If the car can be pushed: Check the alternator, grounding cable, and ignition coil.

- If the car cannot be pushed: check the ignition contacts.

Starter does not work: engine damage, engine block

The car does not start when cold

- the car is completely dead, no lights are on, or only burns weakly: the battery is completely empty. Jumpstart.

( In this case, the battery usually has to be replaced )

- The starter turns on when jump-starting, but the car does not start: Check fuel supply, air supply, and ignition wiring.

- Starter does not work: starter defective or engine damage. Try to tow the car ( Attention: Diesel vehicles cannot be towed when cold! ).

- The car does not start despite being towed and the wheels lock: engine damage, high need for repairs.

If none of these measures have worked, there is only one option left before going to the workshop: Check all fuses, especially on diesel vehicles. The glow plug fuse can fail in these. If everything is okay here too, the specialist workshop has to take a look at the car.