If your engine will turn over but just won’t start you could have a few different problems. To start, your engine needs the right amount of fuel, a spark at the right time and air to mix with the fuel. Below are the likely causes of slow to start vehicles
1) Bad wiring: Your starter requires 2 wires to run properly. The large wire runs straight from your battery and always supplies power to your starter. The other smaller wire is a signal from when you turn your key telling the starter to engage and use all that power that is available from the battery. If either of those wires are making a poor connection or have become broken or corroded they could be giving a weak signal or insufficient power for your car to start. Sometimes this issue makes your car hard to start but runs fine once it gets going.
2) Worn Starter: You may also have a slow to start car due to a worn starter, a common issue that will give you trouble, namely that your car won’t turn over. When you turn your key, an electromagnet forces the starter gear to engage the teeth on your flywheel. The motion of the starter gear sliding forward into the flywheel also engages electrical contacts which give power to the starter motor, spinning the starter gear and starting your engine. The electrical contacts that power the starter motor can wear out over time due to the high current flowing through them and the spinning motion of the starter motor. As these contacts wear down, they will transfer less and less power to your starter motor causing it to spin slower, making your vehicle harder to start. In this case, when your car won’t turn over, you may need a new starter for your vehicle to solve the problem.
3) Charging system problems: Your car’s battery gets its power from your vehicle’s charging system. If your vehicle isn’t properly charging the battery either due to a bad alternator or bad control electronics your battery may be in good condition but slowly loses charge to the point where it can’t power the starter. When your engine is running your alternator should be producing between 13.5 and 14.5 volts which you can test at your battery terminals. If that voltage is lower you may have a problem with your charging system.
4) Bad Battery: As your battery wears out, it will produce less and less power for your starter motor to use, causing it to spin slower and causing your car to have trouble starting. You can measure the life of your battery by measuring the current it puts out while you are trying to start your vehicle. Measuring the current output of your battery takes a special tool, but is relatively simple to do. Many auto parts stores have the proper equipment and will measure your battery output for free. The same tool can test how well your starter and alternator are functioning as well, and often can all be done at the same time. Getting these tests done can be a great way to check up on your vehicle’s electrical system. You often will get a reading for your battery’s percent functionality and if it is below 70%, we recommend getting your battery replaced. Your vehicle may still start with your battery as low as 50% but at that level, it may also leave you stranded on a cold day.
DISCLAIMER AND RECOMMENDATION
These issues have to be looked at and repaired by an experienced ASE certified auto repair shop and not do the repairs yourself.
Nadia, the owner of Mobile Auto Diagnostics and Repair LLC has 18 years of hands on experience in repairing all kind of vehicles. She has 11 ASE certifications, one of which is an ASE Master Mechanic certification.
Nadia’s auto repair business is by invitation only and is not open to the public. Please contact Nadia by phone or e- mail found on this website. Nadia accepts cash, checks and/or major credit cards
