Four Things to Check If Your Car Won’t Start!
If your car won’t start, and before you call that tow truck to take you to the nearest auto shop for an inconvenient car repair, a little bit of effort on your part may save your auto mechanic a lot of time trying to guess what happened and why. You might actually find the problem yourself and avoid a costly car service.
If Your Vehicle Won’t Start, Here are Some Simple Things to Check:
- Check your headlights. If they are on and bright, then the battery is working efficiently. Most likely there is a problem with the starter, or something is hampering the course of the electricity from the battery to the starter. The starter takes electricity from the battery and turns the engine over to start the piston explosion process. If the starter is faulty then a car repair is going to be necessary.
- Check Engine Compression. If the motor turns over like it is trying to start, check the fuel gauge to make sure you have not run out of gas. Do you have compression? Does the engine sound like it is turning over fully, or does it sound too fast or too slow? A broken timing belt or chain will cause the engine to turn over very easily and very fast because the compression process is not taking place. A car repair is absolutely necessary in this case.
- Check the Transmission. Is it in PARK? The engine will only start in park and neutral. If the vehicle is a stick shift, do you have the clutch pedal depressed?
- Check the Tires. Are the front tires up against the curb? If the tires are in a bind on a curb, or if the car has rolled back a bit after placed in PARK, it is often hard to turn the key. In this case, turn the steering wheel really hard to the right, or try to physically move or rock the car forward to release the key. You should now be able to start it and prevent a car service.
If you have checked each of the components listed above and your car still won’t start, a car repair is inevitable and it is time to call a tow truck. When you call for help, be specific in the nature of the "no start" problem you've experienced. Saving your mechanic time should save you dollars on a car repair.
Need a quality car service performed by professional auto mechanics? Contact the ASE-Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive center by calling (308) 381-2295. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE and Doniphan, NE.
If your car won’t start, and before you call that tow truck to take you to the nearest auto shop for an inconvenient car repair, a little bit of effort on your part may save your auto mechanic a lot of time trying to guess what happened and why. You might actually find the problem yourself and avoid a costly car service.
If Your Vehicle Won’t Start, Here are Some Simple Things to Check:
- Check your headlights. If they are on and bright, then the battery is working efficiently. Most likely there is a problem with the starter, or something is hampering the course of the electricity from the battery to the starter. The starter takes electricity from the battery and turns the engine over to start the piston explosion process. If the starter is faulty then a car repair is going to be necessary.
- Check Engine Compression. If the motor turns over like it is trying to start, check the fuel gauge to make sure you have not run out of gas. Do you have compression? Does the engine sound like it is turning over fully, or does it sound too fast or too slow? A broken timing belt or chain will cause the engine to turn over very easily and very fast because the compression process is not taking place. A car repair is absolutely necessary in this case.
- Check the Transmission. Is it in PARK? The engine will only start in park and neutral. If the vehicle is a stick shift, do you have the clutch pedal depressed?
- Check the Tires. Are the front tires up against the curb? If the tires are in a bind on a curb, or if the car has rolled back a bit after placed in PARK, it is often hard to turn the key. In this case, turn the steering wheel really hard to the right, or try to physically move or rock the car forward to release the key. You should now be able to start it and prevent a car service.
If you have checked each of the components listed above and your car still won’t start, a car repair is inevitable and it is time to call a tow truck. When you call for help, be specific in the nature of the "no start" problem you've experienced. Saving your mechanic time should save you dollars on a car repair.
Need a quality car service performed by professional auto mechanics? Contact the ASE-Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive center by calling (308) 381-2295. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE and Doniphan, NE.
