Self Diagnosing The Problem When Your Car Won't Start Despite You Turning On The Ignition

You get in your car one morning, put the keys in and turn them and all of a sudden you hear this strange noise. You discard it and try one more time and the same weird noise comes again but your car won't start. You pause for a bit and try again to no avail. Now why would your car not start?

This can happen to anyone and if your car is particularly old, it could happen to you especially. Now it is difficult to imagine what it's like not to be driving if you use your car most of the time. Of course there's the public transport system which you could use but you'll need first to get to the bus/tube/railway station and know how to get to your destination and back. Or you could call a taxi if you can afford it and get hold of one. Sometimes though, you don't have that much time to find alternative mode of transport because you have planned taking your car to that urgent appointment and did not think your car would let you down.

What are the symptoms to diagnose the problem with the car?

If your car will not start when you turn on the keys, it could be due to a number of reasons but the most likely cause might be a problem with the battery. Here are some things you can try:

**Symptom **
The starter turns the engine slowly but the car does not start
**Diagnosis **
This might be due to a dead or weak battery
**Solution **
You can try to push start (bump start) the car. One person needs to be in the driver's seat and he should place the car in second gear with the clutch fully depressed. Another person needs to push the car as fast as they can and when the car has picked up some speed (probably as fast as a person running), the driver needs to release the clutch and hit the gas pedal. This will cause the engine to start.
You can also try jump starting the car with jump leads.

Symptom
The starter won't operate at all and there's no sound from the engine. Car controls like windshield wipers will not work as well.
Diagnosis
The battery might be completely dead or the connections to the battery might be faulty or loose.
Solution
Check the connectors at the battery terminals and give it a good clean.

Symptom
When the ignition is turned, there's a loud clicking noise and although the car does not start, the lights and windshield wipers still work.
Diagnosis
This might be a starter motor problem – a gear might have gotten stuck.
Solution
Try to locate the starter motor and give it a good tap preferably with a wooden tool. Otherwise try to free the gear by rolling the car back and forth.

Symptom
You can't hear any sound from the engine but your lights and windshield wipers are working fine.
Diagnosis
There might be a problem with the ignition switch, starter motor, wiring or solenoid.
Solution
If you can locate the solenoid, try tightening any loose connections or try playing with the ignition key while turning it.

Symptom
Engine does not start but starter motor turns engine.
Diagnosis
a) You've run out of fuel.
b) The ignition system might have gotten some moisture.
c) Loose wiring in ignition system.
d) You might have a broken petrol hose.
Solution
a) Try rocking the car to see if you can hear the sound of petrol in your tank.
b) Dry the spark plugs and ignition coil by wiping with a cloth. You might need to do the same with the distribution cap.
c) Check leads from distributor to spark plugs and from ignition coil to distributor.
d) Check the petrol hoses.

Sometimes an overfilled tank might cause the engine to choke and you will therefore need to remove the excess by letting it evaporate. If you cannot push start your car, then you will have to go to a garage so that a mechanic can have a look at the problem.