{"id":2354,"date":"2022-12-07T11:45:05","date_gmt":"2022-12-07T01:45:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.autohero.com.au\/blog\/?p=2354"},"modified":"2023-03-30T19:49:42","modified_gmt":"2023-03-30T09:49:42","slug":"my-car-has-power-but-wont-start","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autohero.com.au\/blog\/my-car-has-power-but-wont-start\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Does My Car Have Power But Won’t Start?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"My<\/p>\n

If your car has power but won’t start, it can be especially frustrating. The lights come on, the stereo comes to life – but your engine just won’t crank.<\/p>\n

So, what’s the problem?<\/p>\n

In truth, there could be any number of things wrong. With this in mind, we’ve put together a quick guide that will help you understand what’s going on under the bonnet!<\/p>\n

When you’ve read this guide, you’ll have a better understanding of what could go wrong – and how Auto Hero can help!<\/p>\n

What’s going on when the car won’t start?<\/h2>\n

Your car’s engine needs very specific conditions to start when you turn the ignition switch. It needs exactly the right amount of fuel and air, a source of ignition from the spark plugs, help from a starter motor, and a handful of other factors to be all working properly.<\/p>\n

If the car’s electrical system is good, the engine will have some of the conditions it needs – but with one missing, it still won’t come to life.<\/p>\n

So, what could those missing conditions be?<\/p>\n

1. The battery could be flat<\/h3>\n

This is the most common reason why a car have power but won\u2019t start. If your headlights are dim or your car is making a clicking sound when you turn the key, it\u2019s likely that your battery is flat.<\/p>\n

You can check this by using a multimeter to test the voltage of your battery. If it\u2019s 12.6 volts or less, then it\u2019s time to recharge or replace your dead battery.<\/p>\n

2. There could be an issue with your starter motor<\/h3>\n

If your starter motor is faulty, it won\u2019t be able to provide the power needed to start your engine. This can be caused by a number of things including a loose wire or a problem with the solenoid. Engine cranks needs a lot of power to get started – so if you have a faulty starter motor, your car won’t turn on.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll need to get this checked out by a mechanic to see if it needs to be repaired or replaced.<\/p>\n

3. Your fuel system could be the problem<\/h3>\n

If your car has petrol in the tank but won\u2019t start, there could be an issue with your fuel system.<\/p>\n

This fuel supply system is made up of a fuel tank, a fuel line or fuel lines, a fuel pump, fuel filter, and a fuel injector on each of the engine’s cylinders.<\/p>\n

It could be something as simple as a dirty air filter preventing enough air from getting into the engine or a problem with the fuel pump not delivering enough petrol to the engine. Again, this is something best left to a mechanic to diagnose and fix.<\/p>\n

4. You battery terminals may be corroded<\/h3>\n

If you don’t have a dead car battery but you still don’t seem to be getting full electrical power to get your engine cranking, you might have corroded terminals on your battery.<\/p>\n

The acid inside your battery can cause a reaction that creates a kind of ‘fur’ build up on the terminals. This reduces the effectiveness of the connection and can causing problems with electrical power delivery.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, cleaning the terminals with a wire brush and reattaching the cables can fix a problem like this – but be sure to wear appropriate protective clothing if you do this job.<\/p>\n

5. Your battery cables could be loose<\/h3>\n

Battery cables should connect tightly to the battery terminals. If they don’t, you could have no power or intermittent power – and this often won’t be enough to ensure the car cranks.<\/p>\n

Battery terminal clamps are quite simply to tighten up – so if they seem loose, you might find your problem is solved with a few careful turns of a 10mm spanner.<\/p>\n

Car still not starting?<\/h2>\n

These are just some of the reasons why your car might have power but won\u2019t start. If you\u2019re having trouble with your car, it\u2019s always best to take it to a mechanic so they can figure out what\u2019s going on and fix it for you. Trying to carry out bigger fixes yourself might just make things worse!<\/p>\n

If you need the help of a local mechanic – Auto Hero can help! Give us a few details and we’ll connect you with the best workshops in your area. We even work with mobile mechanics in most areas – so you don’t have to worry about moving your car if it won’t start!<\/p>\n

\"Mechanic<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Written By<\/b><\/p>\n

Matt Banks<\/b><\/p>\n

Matt is the founder of Autohero.com.au<\/span><\/a> and has been hooked on cars and repairs ever since childhood. A veteran in automotive since leaving school, Matt has completed his trade as a panel beater and is across all things with wheels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

His first car was a 1967 FORD XR Wagon followed by a string of collectable Holden\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Have a question for Matt? leave a comment below.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If your car has power but won’t start, it can be especially frustrating. The lights come on, the stereo comes to life – but your engine just won’t crank. So,… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2355,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2354","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-shoppers"],"yoast_head":"\r\nWhy Does My Car Have Power But Won't Start?<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"It can be especially frustrating if your car has power but won't start. 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