Car Won't Start? 8 Simple Solutions to Try Before Calling a Tow

Unfortunately, there are times when a car will suddenly refuse to start. No one wants to deal with such a problem, but it can happen, so it is important to know how to proceed. Before calling a tow truck to take the vehicle to the service, there may be a few simpler methods to get the car started and save a lot of money.

Most people do not keep a set of mechanical tools in the trunk. So when the car will not start and you are left with a dead engine, you may feel quite helpless. But do not give up immediately if the car will not start; try the tips we share in this article, and things may look completely different.

Diagnosing the problem by symptoms

We have compiled a list of tricks you can try when your car will not start, and none of them requires tools. They are arranged by symptoms, and there is nothing to lose by trying them if the car will not start. Of course, they will not fix the underlying issue, but one of them might make the engine start so you can head to the nearest mechanic to resolve the problem.

When the engine floods on startup

• A weak battery
• Dirty battery terminals
• Worn starter motor
• Stuck solenoid

You may only need to energize the battery, but there are a few tricks to try before you pull jumper cables or use the starter.

Try cycling the ignition

1. Turn the key repeatedly to the start position for about 10 times in a row
2. Stop and wait five minutes
3. Then try starting the engine

If the interior dome light stayed on when you turned the key, move to the next trick.

Try to refresh the battery terminals

You cannot clean corroded battery terminals when you are stranded without tools. But you can try to move or at least wiggle the terminals enough to make a better contact.

Tap each battery terminal with something hard to rotate it slightly around the post if the car will not start. Then try to start the engine.

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Try tapping the starter

If you can access the starter motor, try tapping it with a rubber mallet. Sometimes electrical contacts become stuck and can be freed by tapping them.

When you do not hear any click when turning the key

Try moving the gear selector

With your foot on the brake, move the gear selector into neutral and try to start the engine. If it does not work, move it back to the Park position and try again.

Moving the gear selector sometimes restores the electrical contact inside the transmission range selector (also known as the neutral safety switch).

When the engine starts but floods

Here are a few tricks you can try if the engine starts but then floods.

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Try swapping relays

With the radio off, turn the key to the start position and listen for a buzz for about two seconds. This is the fuel pump priming the fuel injection system. If you hear no sound, the fuel pump relay may be faulty or the pump may be on its way out.

Steps to follow:

1. Locate the fuel pump relay location in the owner’s manual or on the fuse box diagram under the hood
2. Pull the fuel pump relay straight up
3. Find another relay with the same number of pins and swap it with the fuel pump
4. Push it firmly back into its socket
5. Try starting the engine after that

Try tapping the fuel tank

If the car will not start, strike the bottom of the fuel tank a few times with a hard object to shake the fuel pump, especially if there is little fuel in it. Then try to start the vehicle.

Try to clear a flooded engine

If you smell gasoline, that means the engine is flooded. Press the accelerator pedal to the floor and hold it there while starting the engine.

Try to fool the computer

A vacuum leak or a faulty temperature sensor can result in an air/fuel mixture that is too lean to start a cold engine. If you have tried all the other tricks presented here and your car still will not start, press the accelerator to the halfway point and try starting the engine. This will tell the computer to add more fuel.

When to call specialists

If none of these methods work, you are probably facing a more serious fault. At that point it is advisable to call a professional service and tow the car for a thorough inspection.

Problems more complex that require a mechanic may include:

• Fuel-injection system faults
• Ignition coil problems
• Clogged fuel filter
• Defective sensors (MAP, MAF, temperature)
• High-pressure fuel pump issues
• Engine control unit (ECU) faults