This has happened to everyone at one time or another. The questions is, why? Do I need a jump start? Dead battery? Bad starter? Stuck key? Maybe….
What should you do if you hop in your car, push the ignition and… nothing? A “no start” can be caused by a number of different things, from a simple loose connection to a bad starter.
As a mechanic, I begin with the battery and work my way down to other issues that could be causing the problem. I can use sophisticated equipment to diagnose the problem. But like a doctor, the best and most valuable information I can get to diagnose a no-start is by asking you questions.
If your car doesn’t start, know the answers to these questions:
- Do the lights come on?
- Does the horn work?
- How about the radio or video display?
- Did the car start and then stop?
- Did the car turn over and then chug before dying?
- Was there any sound at all when you turned the ignition on?
- Did you hear, smell or see anything, including dash lights?
- Has this happened in the past and if so, when?
- What recent work has been done on your car?