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Monday morning arrives, you’re already late setting off to work, and then the inevitable happens. Your car fails to start! As much as you shout and swear at it, it’s not going to change anything. You’re in trouble, and you need to try and turn this situation around. There are a few things you can think about to see whether the problem is fixable.
Check The Battery
The most obvious thing to try is the battery. Think back to what you did last night. Did you leave any of the lights on? Have you recently ran the battery down with heating systems or listening to the car stereo while the engine was off? If you don’t remember doing anything like this, give your car a jump start. You’re going to have to enlist some help from a willing friend or relative. If this works, great! Get your battery tested and replaced if necessary.
Is It The Starter Motor?
If it would appear that the battery isn’t the issue, you might need to dig a little deeper. You can research auto electrical tips online that might help to determine the cause of the problem. A starter motor issue might the cause if the car won’t start, or if it makes a loud click noise when it tries to turn over. It’s hard to know for sure, so you’ll want to get this checked out further. Listen out for that click noise; it’s a key indicator of this type of scenario.
Check For Fuel In The Tank
Has your car ran out of fuel? The fuel gauge will work on some models even when there’s no power to the engine, although it might not be completely accurate. Some cars have a test port on the fuel delivery line which you can check, and you can always look at the fuel filter as well. The fuel filter might become clogged and it simply won’t allow the fuel to pass through.
Is It The Alternator?
Think about the last few trips you took. Did your headlights dim randomly from time-to-time? Did any warning lights appear on the dashboard temporarily? Have you smelled anything like burning rubber in that time? These signs point to an alternator problem. In this case, you’ll want the experts to look at it.
Concede Defeat For One Day
If you’re just not sure what caused the issue, it’s OK to concede defeat. There are many possible reasons why your car will fail to start. Electrical issues can happen all over the car, and it only takes a small fault to cause a big problem. In the worst case scenario, your engine could have failed completely. The only people who will know are the professionals, so you’re going to need to get in touch ASAP. Find additional transport for the time being, and look at insurance options for whether you can rent a car in the meantime.
If you’re checking anything to do with your car, make sure you stay safe. If you’re not confident, don’t mess around with your car’s components. Wait for assistance, and hopefully, you’ll be back on the road in no time!