Top 5 Usual Reasons Why Your Car Won’t Start

Sure, owning a car is still very much of a status symbol these days as much as it was before. But if anything changed about how people viewed cars, aside from comparing how many cars each other has or who drives higher end ones, it is now seen as a need for a lot of people too.

It’s no longer considered as plain luxury that only well off people could afford and would senselessly spend money on. Nowadays, anyone would work hard to own one as well because of reasons like practicality, ease of commuting to and from work, convenience and safety reasons for the family, etc. this is especially true for those who live too far from work, places with no good transportation system, has a big family, even those who juggle a lot of things and needs to have a vehicle available at all times.

But no matter your reason for owning a car, most people only realize how important and useful it is to them once it stops working. And again, you realize how much of a pain it is to be at the mercy of friends or family who has a car or public transportation system. There are a lot of reasons why your car won’t start, but some are more common than others. Below are 5 common reasons why your car won’t start and some advice to ensure your car stays in its top shape!

1. Dead Battery

If you’ve ever been the victim of a dead car battery you know that they die at the most inconvenient of times. Whether it’s on your way to the airport, work or picking up your kids from school it is always a pain. If you have recently noticed your car not starting consistently, it could mean that your battery is close to dead. This could be due to human error, parasitic drain, your charging system is not working properly, defective alternator diode or your battery is just really old and needs to retire. Visit a car servicing center near to get it checked and fixed.

2. Alternator Gone Bad

A car alternator recharges the battery and powers certain electrical systems. If your alternator has a bad diode, your battery can drain. The bad diode can cause the circuit to charge even when the engine is shut off, and you end up in the morning with a car that won’t start.

3. Fuel System Issues

Do you always experience your car losing power when you try to accelerate? Or you’re having trouble starting your car altogether? Sounds like your fuel system is malfunctioning which is keeping your engine from drawing more fuel to accelerate. Fuel system may malfunction because of clogged injector, leaking fuel line, or gummed-up filter or kaput fuel pump. While you may be able to fix the problem yourself if you’re familiar with this and you have the proper tools, make sure you have the right diagnosis and skills before you proceed. Otherwise, it may be best to consult a professional especially if the problem is a bit more complex than usual.

4. Ignition Switch Problem

This switch is what sends energy from the battery to spark the starter and begin burning gas. If this switch goes bad, none of this process can start. This issue is typically characterized by flickering dash lights, and difficulty turning the key.

5. Faulty Starter

A broken starter is another common reason your car won’t start. A starter is an electrical motor that is connected to the battery. Its role is to set the engine in motion when you turn the ignition switch on. Once the engine starts and is in motion, the starter's job is complete. If the starter goes bad, the engine will not crank properly or may not crank at all when you turn the ignition key on. If you hear a clicking noise when you try to start your vehicle, a broken or weakened starter could be the reason why your car isn't starting. This is very similar to the bad ignition switch example listed before.

Possible Reasons Why Your Windshield Wipers Are Not Working Properly

Whether you’re driving during daytime or night time, it’s crucial that your windshield is spotless for optimal vision on the road. This is the reason why windshield wipers are there, so that they can immediately clear anything that may be blocking your view.

But like any other equipment, windshield wipers tend to stop working. When this happens, it’s important that you don’t take it for granted or try to drive even with your wipers not working. You never know when unexpected rain or dash of wind blowing dust or leaves on your windshield may happen, so your wipers need to be operation all the time.

Here are some reasons why your wipers aren’t working. If you know how to fix any of these issues then it’s easier to get your wipers back on track but if you don’t, you can always take your car to a car repair shops to solve the problem immediately.

Your Wiper Blades Are Torn

The rubber edges on your wipers are designed to be tightly in contact on the windshield for it to swipe dirt, water, or anything that will compromise the driver’s vision on the road. However, if those rubbers are torn or there are gaps on it, then it wouldn’t be able to work as effectively. Once you see that they’re already not in good condition, it best to replace them already than continue using when it’s not even working properly anymore.

The Windshield Wipers Have Ice Or Snow On Them

This may only be applicable to those places with winter season, but it’s worth noting. Although windshield wipers are capable of clearing snow off the windshield, they can’t when the snow is too heavy and wet. If it snows in your area it might be best to invest in winter wiper blades, but if you can’t try removing most of the snow first before you use the wipers.

The Wiper Motor Has Failed

Just like any other electric motor, wiper motors sometimes fails due to short circuit or the motor is really old and needs replacement. In these cases, your wipers won’t work. You can either try to take your car to a mechanic for car repair or it may be practical to just replace the wiper motor. That may be more cost-effective than trying to fix an already faulty motor. 

The Windshield Wiper Fuse Is Burnt Out

In any electrical device, there’s always a fuse that acts as a shock absorber or sacrificial device for the entire device. This way in case the motor overloads, the fuse will be the one to take damage not the entire motor. But even though the motor isn’t totally damage, the wiper still won’t work. So you should look for the reason why the motor overloaded, remove it and change the fuse. This should settle the problem if the only damage is on the fuse. But if your wipers are still not working, seek car servicing as this may be more complicated than just the fuse.

Wiper Pivot Nuts Are Loose

When these pivot nuts are loose, the motor will turn but the wiper themselves won’t move. There are also instances where they will move slightly but won’t wipe the windshield or only one wiper is working while the other one doesn't. If you notice any of these, there’s a huge possibility that the wiper pivot nuts are loose.  The first thing that you should do is try to tighten them, if they’re already tight but you still see the same ‘symptoms’ it may need more than just tightening. Better seek a professional help, drive to your trusted car repair shop tell the mechanic your observations and the steps you’ve taken to try to solve the problem and let him handle the rest.