Troubleshooting Your Car Won’t Start: Checklist and Step by Step Guide

What To Do If Your Car Won’t Start

At Donnellan Auto Services we understand that your car not starting can be frustrating and inconvenient.

It can cause delays and disrupt your plans for the day. It can also be stressful if you are not sure what the problem is and how to fix it. Even though your car is a complex feat of engineering, prior to calling Donnellan Auto Services, there are a few things you can do yourself to establish the cause of the problem.

1. Check the battery: Make sure the battery is fully charged and properly connected.
2. Check the fuel level and fuel type: If the fuel tank is empty, the car won’t start. Also make sure you have the correct fuel in your vehicle.
3. Check the starting process for your vehicle:
   • Automatic cars being left in gear and not in Park or Neutral won’t start.
   • Most newer vehicles with a manual gearbox will require you to depress the clutch prior to starting the vehicle. Check the manufacturer’s handbook if you are not sure.
   • If you drive an electric vehicle and it still has the charging cable attached the vehicle won’t start.
4. Check your key: Using the wrong key which hasn’t been programmed to the vehicle will result in the vehicle not starting.
5. Check warning lights: A Malfunction Indicator Lamp indicating an electronic system fault.

There are several ways to tell if the battery is the cause of your car not starting:

1. Check the battery: Use a digital multimeter to check the battery’s voltage. If the reading is below 12.4 volts, the battery may be dead or weak and may need to be recharged or replaced.
2. Check for corrosion: If the battery terminals or cables are corroded, they may not be making a good connection and could be causing starting issues.
3. Check the condition of the battery’s terminals and cables to make sure they are clean and securely connected. If the terminals or cables are dirty or loose, they can cause problems with the battery’s performance.
4. Check the headlights/wipers: If the headlights are dim or don’t work at all, or if the windscreen wipers don’t work or move slowly, the battery may be weak or dead.
5. Try jump starting the car: If the car starts with a jump start but won’t start on its own, the battery may be the problem or part of a wider problem. There’s more information below on how to do this.
6. Listen for the starter: If you turn the key and don’t hear the starter engaging, the battery may be weak or dead.

If you are experiencing any of these issues with your car, it is a good idea to have the battery checked by Donnellan Auto Services to determine if it needs to be replaced.

How do I recharge a car battery?

To recharge a car battery, you’ll need a battery charger. Here’s how to do it:

1. First, make sure the battery is compatible with the charger you are using. Some chargers are only compatible with certain types of batteries.
2. Connect the charger to the battery. Most chargers will have a set of clips that attach to the battery terminals (positive to positive, negative to negative). Some chargers may have a set of alligator clips, while others may have ring terminals that you attach to the battery terminals using nuts and bolts.
3. Turn on the charger and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging the battery. Some chargers will have a built-in display that shows the charging progress and voltage level.
4. Let the charger run until the battery is fully charged. This can take several hours, depending on the size of the battery and the charging rate of the charger.
5. Once the battery is fully charged, turn off the charger and disconnect it from the battery.

It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using a battery charger, as improper use can damage the battery or the charger. If you are unsure how to use the charger, it is a good idea to consult the manual or have Donnellan Auto Services handle it for you.

How do I jump start a car?

Jump starting a car is a simple process that can be done with a set of jump leads and another car with a good battery. Here’s how to do it:

1. Park the car with the good battery close to the car with the dead battery, but make sure the two cars do not touch.
2. Turn off both cars and engage the parking brakes.
3. Connect one end of the red jump leads to the positive terminal of the dead battery.
4. Connect the other end of the red cable to the positive terminal of the good battery.
5. Connect one end of the black jump lead to the negative terminal of the good battery.
6. Connect the other end of the black cable to a metal surface on the car with the dead battery (such as a bolt on the engine block).
7. Start the car with the good battery and let it run for a few minutes.
8. Attempt to start the car with the dead battery. If it starts, remove the cables in the reverse order that you attached them (black, then red).
9. If the car still won’t start, there may be a problem other than the battery. It is a good idea to call Donnellan Auto Services if this happens.

It’s important to make sure the cables are properly connected and that the ends do not touch each other or any other metal surface while you are jump starting the car. This can cause sparks and potentially damage the cars or the batteries.

One Final Thing To Check

A blown fuse can also cause a car not to start. The car’s electrical system relies on fuses to protect the wiring and components from damage caused by excess current. If a fuse blows, it can interrupt the flow of electricity and prevent the car from starting.

There are several fuses in a car’s electrical system, and a blown fuse can cause problems with any number of systems, such as the fuel pump, starter, or ignition switch. If you suspect a blown fuse may be causing your car not to start, you can check the fuses to see if any of them are blown.

To check the fuses, you’ll need to locate the fuse panel, which is usually located under the dashboard or in the engine compartment. The fuse panel will have a diagram showing the location of each fuse and its corresponding circuit. You can check the fuses by looking at them or by testing them with a multimeter.

If you find a blown fuse, you’ll need to replace it with a new one of the same amperage rating. If you are unsure how to do this, let Donnellan Auto Services handle it for you.

If you have checked all of these things and your car still won’t start, please call Donnellan Auto Services on 091 792474. We’re here to help.

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