Oh No! My Car Won't Start!

If you start your car up and it won’t start, don’t panic. Before you call for towing service, try these easy tricks to get your car going. It’s not hopeless! Most folks don’t have mechanic’s tools in their trunks. So, when your automobile doesn’t turn on, and you have a dead engine, you can feel powerless. My car won’t start! Don’t give up!

With these suggestions, you don’t need any tools. You don’t have anything to lose by trying them. They might not fix the issue, but they might get your engine started, so you can get to your mechanic who can handle the problem professionally.

Problem: Starter doesn’t work
​
This can be due to dirty battery terminals, a stuck solenoid, or a bad battery. Here are some tips:

The Key Cycle Trick
Cut on the dome light and observe it while you attempt to turn on the engine. If the light goes out, it’s an indication the battery is almost dead. To heat the starter, terminals, and battery, do the key cycle trick. You can move the key to the start position ten times in a row. Wait five minutes. Try to start your engine. If the dome light remained bright when you turned the key, go to another suggestion.

Problem: Turn the key, no click

Shift the Shifter
Put your foot on the brake and move the shift to the neutral position and attempt to start the engine. If nothing happens, shift back to park and attempt again. Moving the shifter back and forth sometimes reinstates electrical contact in the transmission.

Problem: Can’t fire up my engine

Change Relays
With the radio off, move the key to run. Do you hear a buzzing noise? You’re listening to the fuel pump preparing the injection. If you don’t hear any sound, the fuel pump relay is in bad condition, or the pump is damaged. What you need to do is find where the fuel pump relay is located. When you see it, pull the fuel pump up and then find another one with an identical part number and swap them. Try starting your engine again.

If you don’t feel comfortable messing around with your car parts, contact a Buffalo Towing Company.