If your vehicle won't start, it's usually caused by a dying or dead battery, loose or corroded connection cables, a bad alternator or an issue with the starter. It can be hard to determine if you're dealing with a battery or an alternator problem.
Why your car struggles to start but runs fine. There are a number of reasons why your car might be slow to start but runs as-normal once it gets going. Causes can vary from weather conditions to battery health, wiring issues, starter motor concerns and fuel-pump health.
How Much a Starter Replacement Costs. The cost of rebuild parts for a starter can range from as little as $50 to as much as $350. A brand-new starter can range from $80 to over $350. For a qualified mechanic to replace or rebuild your starter, you can expect to pay between $150 and over $1,100.
When you attempt to start the vehicle, is there a clicking sound, but it won't turn over? That may be a good sign. If a jump gets the car running, but won't turn over again once it's shut off, a dead battery is likely the cause.
Typically when your electrical accessories are working well, but it takes a few cranks for the engine to start, the issue is with the fuel or ignition system. In most cases, clogged or dirty fuel injectors, throttle body or mass air flow sensor will be the root source of this problem.
Fuel Pressure & Fuel Pump
When the fuel pump starts to go bad, that pressure will start to go away when the engine isn't running. This is one of the most common reasons that your car won't start after it's sat for many hours.
Hard start symptoms and starter failure may NOT be caused by the starter, but could actually be caused by the crankshaft position sensor. If your vehicle is experiencing one or more of these symptoms, the crankshaft sensor may be at fault.
A few possible faults could cause this type of intermittent no start condition. The most common would be a battery, starter, battery cables, fuel pump, fuel injector, or a wiring issue. This type of failure indicates a fault that only occurs once the vehicle is hot and can be difficult at times to duplicate.
One of the most common causes of a sputtering engine is an issue with the vehicle's fuel system—the filter, pump, and injectors. These three critical components work together to ensure fuel flows smoothly from the fuel tank to your engine's fuel injectors, and then pumps into the engine evenly.
A lag between when the ignition key is turned to "Start" and when the starter kicks the engine over could be caused by a corroded or poorly connected high current connection to the starter - say a battery cable connection.
A common cause is a problem with the spark plugs or ignition system. Other potential causes include a blockage in the fuel line, a faulty oxygen sensor, or a problem with the mass air flow sensor. Vacuum leakages can also cause a delay in acceleration. A clogged air filter or low engine oil level can also be a cause.
The problem could be a weak fuel pump, leaking fuel injectors, worn starter, weak battery, or faulty temperature sensor. Good technicians will be able to test and determine the issue more accurately if they can experience the issue themselves.
A dead battery is one of the most common reasons why your car won't start. Check the battery terminals for corrosion and clean them using a wire brush or battery cleaning solution. If the battery is old or damaged, it may need to be replaced entirely.
The most common cause of engine sputtering are issues with the fuel system. These can range from bad fuel filters, fuel pump issues, or fuel injector issues. The other possible source of the problem would be due to poor ignition - think spark plugs or ignition coil problems.
Do you hear a sputtering sound when you turn the key? This sound is a tell-tale sign that your battery isn't getting enough charge and, consequently, isn't sending enough power to the rest of the vehicle. This sound might be subtle at first, but as time goes on, the sputtering will get louder and longer.
There are many causes of hard starting but illustrative ones are a faulty engine coolant temperature switch (sensor), malfunctioning idle air control (IAC) valve, vacuum and EGR leaks, inadequate fuel delivery or pressure (clogged fuel filter, injectors), and contaminated or old gasoline.
When an engine cranks for a long time before it starts, either spark or fuel is missing or weak and each has its own reasons. Most of the time, the air / fuel mixture has been disturbed and there is too much air or not enough fuel.
A dead battery can leave you stranded — if you're able to start your car at all — so watch out for these signs of a failing battery: Clicking sound when trying to start your engine. Slow cranking — may sound like “rurr, rurr, rurr,” when trying to start your vehicle. Illuminated check engine or check battery light.
FACT #4: YOU SHOULD CHANGE SPARK PLUGS EVERY 100K MILES OR SO. So, if good spark plugs are the key to avoiding these issues, how long do spark plugs last, exactly? The general rule of thumb about how often to change spark plugs is that they should be replaced after about 100,000 miles of driving.
A bad spark plug may cause your engine to sound rough while idling. The vehicle-encompassing, jittery sound will also cause your vehicle to vibrate. It can indicate a spark plug problem in which a cylinder misfires only while idle.
Crank the Ignition and Inspect for Spark Have someone turn the ignition so that you can inspect the plug. Make sure the spark is strong and blue in color. If the spark is weak and dull orange, it's likely that it's not strong enough to ignite the engine's air and fuel mixture.