Were you ready to leave for a busy day but your car won't start? Don't panic, it may very well be a problem that can easily be solved! Here is 3 points to check before forfeiting.
CHECK BATTERY CONDITION
If your car won't start, a dead battery may be the problem. While this type of malfunction is relatively rare with new batteries, it becomes more and more common as your battery ages.
Although inconvenient, this problem can be easily resolved by starting the car, which will start the alternator which will recharge the battery as you drive. But you still need to be able to start the engine! To do this, three solutions are available to you:
- If your car has a manual gearbox, shift to second and switch on the ignition Then push the car until it reaches a speed of approximately 10 km/h. When this happens, release the clutch and accelerate quickly . This technique is obviously easier to perform with the help of one or two people, and even more so if your car is located at the top of a slope!
- Use a Startup Booster (or battery booster) if you or one of your helpful neighbors has one.
- Ask another motorist with a sufficiently charged battery to help you with jumper cables .
You're off again!
If your battery shows recurring signs of weakness, it is probably time to have it replaced by your mechanic. The car may also not start due to oxidation of the terminals , a metal part of the battery. You must then call a professional to clean and grease them, otherwise you risk seeing your vehicle have more and more whims...
CHECK ENGINE CONDITION
If you have trouble starting, consider a flooded engine . We speak of a flooded engine when one of the engine cylinders has received too much fuel and the spark plugs are too wet to produce the spark necessary for combustion. This can happen on gasoline vehicles after several failed starts or when a spark plug fails. In this case, do not try to insist by cranking the starter. Wait about half an hour for the fuel to evaporate and try to start the vehicle again. It may be necessary to remove the spark plug(s). to air dry them, but this method can take some time and requires a knowledge base in automotive mechanics.
THE IMMOBILIZER IN CAUSE?
If your vehicle was built after 1998 , it is most likely equipped with a immobilizer system . The purpose of this device is to prevent the theft of the car by unlocking the car's engine electronic unit after inserting the key, equipped with a transponder, into the cylinder. Although this protection system has made it possible to significantly reduce the number of car thefts, it is proving to be very handicapping. when the transponder is faulty or change the key.
On certain vehicles, such a malfunction will be notified to you by an error message. on the dashboard. If this is not the case with your car, it will cost you nothing to try to start it with the other key provided by your dealer or to replace the batteries of your usual key.
If you are unable to start your car after checking these 3 points, you still have a few options to explore.
The headlights and car radio come on but your car won't start? This is probably a starter problem . Although there are odds and ends techniques to overcome this type of problem, sooner or later you will have to leave it in the expert hands of your mechanic.
Do you drive diesel and have to push hard to start your vehicle? Look at the glow plugs, it might be time to replace them.
Finally, sometimes it simply happens to be in fuel shortage . Although no one thinks they are smart enough to deal with this kind of unexpected event, all it takes is a busy day or waking up a little too early to not think about checking the fuel level!
Also discover how equip your vehicle before your departure.