Q&A for How to Fix a Car That Doesn't Start

If you got a new battery and it died after a while, that can be an indication of a parasitic draw. This happens when a module on your vehicle gets a wrong signal or a wire is touching something, leaving part of the system on and causing a drop in the battery. All you got to do is pinpoint where the draw is coming from.

You're probably better off taking the vehicle to a shop to look it over. Trying to diagnose the problem yourself is going to be more difficult, since you'll need special equipment and a pretty good understanding of electronics and energy flow.

This is probably due to the steering wheel lock. Apply pressure to the key as you turn the steering wheel away from the lock. As the steering wheel unlocks, the ignition cylinder will as well.

It could be there's a light somewhere in your car that isn't turning off for some reason; is your trunk latching fully? Your hood? Glove box? 24 hours could easily drain a battery off a light left on. And if you've left your headlights on, that would definitely do it. Do a thorough check when it's dark to see that all your lights are turning off the way they should be, especially the ones that are supposed to shut themselves off. If you check during the daylight, it's too easy to miss the lights in hard-to-spot places.

It could be your electronics, especially your position sensors. Take it to a mechanic or your dealership to be looked at.

This is probably due to lack of fuel pressure. When you turn off and on the engine, the fuel pressure is slowly traveling from the fuel tank to the motor until it can run on its own. Try testing if the fuel pump works, or check if the fuel filter, lines or injectors are clogged.

Is the car shuddering and/or sounding as though it's misfiring? If so, your coil pack is most likely on its way out.

The engine might be low on oil; oil shortage is a common cause for knocking sounds. Use your dipstick to check your oil level before starting the vehicle, and fill it if it is low.

The head gasket is not install properly or oil and water mixed and seized the engine.

It could be that the piston rings are leaking and they start working again after lubrication has sealed them while the car is running.

Make sure your choke is well adjusted. If that is ok, your battery may be getting weak and needs replaced. You can also have your spark plugs cleaned and adjusted. If the car has a lot of mileage, you may need to have the starter reconditioned or replaced.

You can call a mechanic, and possibly get it towed to a mechanic's shop for an examination.

Clean all electrical connections on starter, battery and alternator. Then grease connections with dielectric grease.

If it's firing without help of the starter and then dies shortly after, it's probably starved for fuel or has very low compression.

An engine that has overheated can cause a multitude of problems, one of the most common being head gasket failure. I would first check the oil and look for any signs of coolant in the oil. After that, do a compression test or get a mechanic to do one for you.

The battery inside the fob may be running low, it may flash the LED, but the range will be greatly reduced. Try standing closer to the vehicle or even walking around the vehicle, or change the battery inside the fob. You should be able to get batteries at any hardware store.