A car that doesn’t start is a bad day. However, a few simple tips can help you easily identify the most common failures. In some cases, you can even fix it yourself. Before calling a mechanic, here’s what to check.
The most common car breakdowns are linked to ignition and engine electricity.
Most often it’s the battery
In most cases, it is the battery that is the cause. Battery failure can occur if you haven’t driven for a long time, if you forgot to turn off your headlights, if your battery is worn out, or if its terminals have oxidized, preventing electrical conduction.
In winter, your car battery can also suffer from the cold. Extreme temperatures can affect its performance and cause problems during startup.
To know if the battery is the cause of the failure, you just have to turn on your headlights. If they don’t light up or they barely light up, that means your battery is dead!
Tip: consider investing in jumper cables. In the event of a battery failure, they will allow you to restart with the help of another vehicle.
How to test car battery with a multimeter
Watch this short instructional video by ChrisFix on how to test if your car battery is dead. If you have a multimeter, then you can know for sure if its the battery that dead or is there any other point of failure.
A starter problem?
If the battery is working, the problem may be with the starter, this little electrical device that is used to start the engine. Most often, the malfunction stems from a poor electrical contact. Extreme temperatures can also be involved here.
In case of failure, you can try this: Give a few blows on the front (the pointed part) of the starter, in order to take off the coals and facilitate the passage of the current. The carbons are composed of graphite and are therefore subject to wear.
A bug in the immobilizer system
The immobilizer is a clever electronic device which has made it possible to reduce the number of vehicle thefts. But like all electronic devices, it is prone to failure. A problem with the immobilizer can prevent the engine from starting.
Check key fob battery
Check that the battery in your vehicle’s key fob is not flat, and to change it if necessary.
How to replace Ford Fusion key fob battery:
Other common breakdowns
Spark plugs
Problem with the spark plugs can also cause failure. If the spark plugs are dirty or clogged, they can no longer fulfill their role, that of producing the spark required to start the engine.
Running out of fuel
Of course, if you run out of gas, you won’t get very far. But be aware that a failure in the fuel pump can also cause a failure. To recognize it, it’s very simple: the engine cranks, but the car does not start. In this case, you will have no choice but to call a professional to have the part changed.
