Won't start
Car Won't Start: Clicking, Cranking or Silence
Listen to what the car does when you turn the key. Rapid clicking or a slow crank points to a weak battery or a poor connection. An engine that cranks normally but never catches often has a fuel, ignition or timing problem. Total silence can be a dead battery, a loose cable, a failed starter or a security-system problem.
- All makes and models
- $125 diagnostic, credited if you go ahead with the repair
- Nephi to Ogden, including Eagle Mountain and Heber
Why will my car not start? Tell the sounds apart
Start with the sound, because it narrows the cause. No-starts tend to fall into these groups.
- Rapid clicking. The starter is asking for power and not getting enough. Think of a weak or dead battery, or corroded or loose battery cables.
- A slow, heavy crank. The engine turns over sluggishly. A weak battery can do this, and so can a tiring starter.
- One loud click, then nothing. Can be the starter or its solenoid, or a poor connection.
- Cranks normally but will not start. The battery and starter are doing their job. The engine often has a fuel delivery, ignition or timing problem. A failed fuel pump, worn ignition parts or a bad sensor can be behind it.
- Total silence. No click. If the dash lights are dim or off, think battery or cables. If they are bright, think starter, fuse or the security system.
What should I try before assuming something is broken?
- The gear selector. Automatics generally will not start unless the selector is in Park or Neutral. Put it in Park and try again.
- The clutch. Manual cars need the clutch pressed.
- The brake pedal. Push-button cars generally need the brake pedal pressed while you press the button.
- The key fob or security light. A weak fob battery or an immobilizer fault can stop a car from starting even when the battery and starter are fine. A security light that flashes when you try to start is a clue. Your owner's manual explains the backup way to start the car with a weak fob.
How can I tell a bad battery from a bad starter?
Turn on the headlights or the interior light before you try the key. If they stay bright while you try to start, the battery is probably fine and the starter is more of a suspect. If they dim a lot or go out, the battery or its connections are the suspects.
A jump start is a useful test. If the car starts right away with a jump, the battery was low. That leaves the question of why it went flat: lights left on, age, or a charging problem.
If you try a jump start, follow your owner's manual. Do not jump a battery that is cracked, leaking, bulging or frozen.
Is it safe to keep trying to start it?
Short attempts are fine. Cranking for many seconds at a time can overheat the starter and drain what is left in the battery, so rest between tries. If the engine cranks but never catches after a few tries, stop. Repeated cranking can flood the engine with fuel.
Having it diagnosed
Call or text and describe the problem. The diagnostic visit is $125 on every job. If you go ahead, the $125 is credited toward the repair. If you decide not to, the $125 is not refunded. Travel is $75 to $100 in addition to the diagnostic, depending on miles and fuel.
What to do right now
Note the sound.
Clicking, slow crank, normal crank or silence.
Try Park and the brake pedal.
Then try the spare key or the backup method for a weak fob.
Look at the lights.
Do the headlights or dash lights dim when you turn the key?
Look at the battery terminals.
White or green crust, or a cable you can wiggle by hand, is worth mentioning.
Call or text.
Say what the car is doing.
Questions
Questions about a car that will not start
Why does my car click but not start?
Rapid clicking means the starter is not getting enough power. A weak or dead battery is one possible cause, as are corroded or loose battery cables. A single loud click can point to the starter or its solenoid instead.
Why does my car crank but not start?
If the engine turns over normally but never catches, the battery and starter are working. The engine often has a fuel delivery, ignition or timing problem. A failed fuel pump, worn ignition parts or a bad sensor can be behind it. It takes a diagnostic to look for the cause.
Can a bad key fob stop a car from starting?
Yes. A weak fob battery or an immobilizer fault can stop a car from starting even when the battery and starter are fine. A security light that flashes when you try to start is a clue. Try the spare key, and see your owner's manual for the backup method.
My car makes no sound when I turn the key. What is wrong?
Total silence means little or no power is reaching the starter. A dead battery, a loose or corroded cable, a failed starter, a blown fuse or a security-system fault can cause it. Check whether the dash lights come on and whether the selector is in Park.
Car will not start?
Give the year, make and model and what you hear when you turn the key.