7 Common Problems That Prevent Car Engine from Starting

If your car does not start, it can be due to a dead or dying battery, bad timing belt, loose or corroded connection cables, issues with the starter, bad ignition coil, clogged fuel filter, a broken or cracked distributor cap or a bad alternator. It can be difficult to determine what is causing the ignition problem until you take your vehicle to a nearby car repair shop in Brampton for checkup.

If your car does not start even after it has gas and you have checked the steering wheel, it could be due to one of the following reasons.

#1 Battery Corrosion

Battery corrosion can cause trouble in starting. Check and clean battery terminals and posts to ensure there is a clean, complete connection. All you need is a teaspoon of baking soda and a glass of water to prepare the solution. Use a bristled brush or an old toothbrush to scrub the solution on the corroded areas. Once you do this, start your car again. 

If the problem persists, contact a local car mechanic. A reputable repair store can help you fix the issue.

#2 Dead Battery

The most common reason why your car fails to start is a dead battery. Check your battery using a battery tester and see if it is weak. If you do not have a tester, try jumping your vehicle with jumper cables.

#3 Broken Distributor Cap

A distributor cap in your car is the cover that safeguards internal parts of the distributor and holds contacts between the spark plug wires and the internal rotor. The distribution cab routes voltage from the ignition coil in the engine to the spark plugs. If moisture gets under the cap, it causes issues for your vehicle to start. It is advisable to wipe and clean the distributor cap, dry cloth before reinstalling. Make sure to replace the cap if it is damaged.

#4 Bad Starter Motor

The starter motor can be another reason to physically turn the engine over and get the engine to fire. In such an issue, installing a new starter motor can be required. 

#5 Bad Ignition Coil

Also called a spark coil, an ignition coil transforms the battery’s voltage to the thousands of volts required for creating electric spark in the spark plugs to ignite the fuel. If the coil is damaged, it will fail to transform enough battery voltage needed to create spark. In this case, a multimeter is required to measure the electrical current, voltage and resistance and check the strength of the current to run through the coil. 

#6 Clogged Fuel Filter

If the fuel filter is clogged, it will prevent fuel enough from reaching the engine. Replacement of fuel filter will require for fixing this issue. 

#7 Bad Timing Belt

The timing belt in a car is the most important maintenance item in the engine. It makes sure vales in the engine opens and closes at the proper interval so that the valves and the pistons never touch. If the belt does not perform properly, it can cause ‘catastrophic engine damage’ which will require an engine replacement. Car-making companies specify when a timing belt should be replaced. This is generally based on mileage. Averagely, the belt should be changed every 60,000 miles or five years whichever comes first. 

Contact Limitless Tire

If you are unable to fix your car problem yourself, then get in touch with Limitless Tire in Brampton. We are your trustworthy car mechanic company. At Limitless Tire, we not just help detect and fix problems why your car doesn’t start, but also offer other services such as Tire Financing, Brake Repair, Wheel Alignment, Tire Installation, exclusive rims and tires sales.