You sit in your car, turn the keys, and nothing happens. You try again, but it’s the same.
Panic begins to settle in.
You start to wonder — how to get the car to the mechanic if it won’t start?
Don’t fret.
We’ve got you covered!
In this article, we’ll show you how to get your car to a mechanic, the typical reasons your car won’t start, and possible solutions so you can be on the road again in no time.
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Let’s get rolling.
How To Get Car To Mechanic If It Won’t Start
A car that won’t start can pose quite a dilemma, especially if you’re stuck on a lonely road.
Here are some possible solutions that can help you out of your predicament:
1. Get Hold Of Roadside Assistance
Roadside assistance services can help repair your car in case of a minor mechanical problem, such as a flat battery or faulty starter, wherever you are.
If your car won’t start, and the problem is significant, they may also aid you in towing your car to the nearest mechanic.
2. Hire Towing Services
Figuring out whether the issue is a faulty starter or a weak battery can be complicated. So, you may find the easiest way to solve it is to contact a car towing service. This way, the service will tow your car to the nearest auto repair shop for further inspection.
However, it may result in additional costs as you will pay for towing and repairs.
3. Call Your Dealership
Calling your dealership when your car won’t start is also a viable option.
To do so, ensure you have the correct documentation —such as the warranty document, car maintenance plan, and sales agreement. If your car is still under warranty, the dealership is responsible for assisting you in your hour of need.
And even if your car is not under warranty, your dealership can’t abdicate its responsibility. They can still help with contacting relevant towing companies or mobile mechanic services.
4. Contact a Mobile Mechanic
Vehicle repair can be stressful, expensive, and lengthy. The simplest option is to have a reliable, flexible mechanic service on call.
Mobile mechanic services like AutoNation Mobile Service provide excellent auto repair services from the comfort of your home or workplace. These services may differ quite a lot from simple roadside assistance in several ways.
AutoNation Mobile Service provides:
- Highly trained technicians
- Easy online booking
- Wide range of services at competitive prices
- On-site car repair and maintenance including 200+ services
- 12-month and 12,000-mile warranty on all services
8 Typical Reasons Your Car Won’t Start (And Solutions)
If you’re curious and want to understand the root cause of the issue, here are some common reasons your car won’t start:
1. Dead Battery
The car battery is a crucial electrical component that contains the power needed to start your car. If your car battery is faulty, the car won’t start. Dim dash lights are a good indication of a faulty battery.
Don’t fret, though.
Here’s how you can fix it:
If you don’t have a battery charger or a new battery on-hand, your next best solution for a dead battery is to fetch your jumper cable and try to jump-start your car. Make sure your jumper cable is in good condition, and the donor car is switched off before you begin.
2. Fuel System Issues
A flat battery may not be the cause of your issue. Sometimes your car won’t start because there’s something wrong with your fuel system.
These issues can range from a clogged fuel filter, a faulty fuel pump, or insufficient gas in the fuel tank.
How you can fix it:
- Bad fuel pump relay: The fuel pump relay is designed to relay the power needed to drag the correct amount of fuel through the fuel pump to the engine. This issue may affect fuel pressure. You’ll likely have to get a fuel pump replacement.
- Clogged fuel filter: Fuel filters keep unwanted particles out of the fuel as it travels from the fuel tank to the fuel injector. Due to the nature of the task, a fuel filter can get clogged entirely over time. This issue may affect fuel pressure too. If you find yourself with a clogged fuel filter, you’ll either need to clean it or get a replacement.
- Not enough gas in the tank: You’ll need fuel to start your car again, and luckily, you’ll only need a few gallons to fill your gas tank. Call a friend, family member, or neighbor to help you get to the nearest gas station. To avoid this situation in the future, always carry a “Jerry Can” to store fuel, so you can fill your gas tank at a moment’s notice.
3. Blown Fuse
Car fuses, primarily found in the fuse box, are elements that protect a car’s electrical wiring. If the fuses are damaged, your vehicle won’t start as power won’t reach the starter motor.
How you can fix it:
- Find the fuse box using the owner’s manual
- Check to see if any metal strips are broken or covered in black
- If you spot damage, don’t hesitate to contact a mechanic
4. Bad Battery Connection
Immobility may also be caused by a corroded battery terminal or damaged battery cable connections which impede the flow of electricity from car batteries.
You can examine the battery with a battery tester. A working battery reading is around 12.65V on the battery tester. If the voltmeter reading is less than 12.45 volts, you have a weak battery or a faulty battery cable.
How you can fix it:
You may need to clean and tighten your battery connections:
- Remove the battery connections of your car and clean them with a mixture of bicarbonate soda and vinegar.
- Thoroughly dry them with a cloth.
- Reattach each battery connection to each battery terminal.
- Try to turn the ignition key again.
- If this fails, call a mechanic.
5. Worn Spark Plugs
Spark plugs conduct the spark of electricity that ignites the engine and gets your car moving. If your spark plug shows signs of damage, your car won’t start as electricity can’t travel through.
How you can fix it:
A worn spark plug needs to be replaced immediately. If you’re not sure how, contact a mechanic for help.
6. Issues With The Ignition System
The ignition system gives the engine the power it needs to start the car. Problems with the ignition components, such as the ignition switch, ignition coil, and ignition cylinder, may be why your car won’t start.
If your car makes a clicking sound when you crank the engine, you may have a bad ignition switch.
How you can fix it:
Unfortunately, there’s no easy fix. The ignition switch, ignition coil, or ignition cylinder will need to be replaced depending on the issue.
However, if could just be your security system.
Many cars use a steering lock as a part of its security system. The steering lock jams the steering wheel, preventing an engine crank when the key is turned in the ignition. All you need to do is to turn the steering wheel in either direction while you turn the ignition key.
7. Bad Alternator
Occasionally, cars won’t start even though the car batteries are in good condition. This means there’s an issue with the alternator. The alternator distributes electricity to the car and recharges the battery.
How you can fix it:
If you’re noticing troubles with your car’s alternator, your best bet would be to arrange for a mechanic to come over and take a look ASAP.
8. Bad Starter Motor
A starter motor is an electrical component that transfers the spark of electricity from the battery to crank the engine to give it the power to start your car. A good indication of a faulty starter would be a grinding sound when you perform an engine crank.
How you can fix it:
As the starter motor is a delicate component, the best course of action for a bad starter motor would be to contact a mechanic.
Final Thoughts
Performing regular car maintenance can drastically reduce the risk of car malfunctions. Getting a professional to check your components’ condition frequently will ensure that you won’t find yourself in sticky situations.
If you need professional help when your car doesn’t start, consider the team at AutoNation Mobile Service.
Our specialized mobile mechanics will arrive at your location and take care of your car problems, be it a bad ignition switch, clogged fuel filters, or dim dash lights. For an accurate cost estimate, please connect with us today.