Car not starting due to battery, starter, or alternator.
My car will not start. I believe it is either the battery, starter, or alternator.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
When your car will not start, it is natural to assume it is due to a bad battery or starter. Since your car is a newer vehicle, it is very likely that it is one of these two components that is causing the startup problem and your assumption is in the right place. Now the alternator does not actually assist with starting the vehicle, but once the car is running, the alternator does run all the car’s electronics and keep the battery charged.
There are a couple of ways to test for a bad battery or starter. Go ahead and try turning the car’s key to the on position. Notice if your gauge clusters light up nice and bright. Now turn on your Juke’s headlight to the on position and notice if they too are strong and bright. If you experience dim or lack of lights from either of these tests, then your car’s battery is low on voltage and you may just need a jumpstart to being moving again. If the lights are strongly illuminated, go and head and turn the key to start the engine. Take notice of any noise you may here. Does the vehicle turn over like normal? If you experience a clicking noise, one click or nothing at all, then it is possible the starter has failed the vehicle.
Now, if after these tests your car has battery power and the starter sounds healthy, we may have to look else where. It is possible, that the issue lies outside of the battery and starter, so it is always a good idea to explore all the reasons as to why you are experiencing these problems with your Juke. In a situation where your vehicle will not start, it is best to enlist the help of a certified technician to properly diagnose your vehicle.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
Why won`t my car start but the battery is good? If your car won`t start but the battery is good, the most common cause is a faulty starter – though it could also be to do with your fuel. You may have insufficient fuel to get the car going.
If you`ve replaced your battery but the engine still won`t start, it could actually be an engine problem. A seized engine won`t turn over, and that often resembles a bad starter or dead battery. If you suspect that your problem stems from an engine issue, it could take hours to diagnose and repair.
The most common reasons a Nissan Juke won`t start are a dead battery, an alternator problem, or failed starter.
Common reasons for this to happen:
Dead Battery: The single most common reason for a no start condition is a dead battery. If the battery is dead, then no voltage can be sent to the other components, including the starter. The battery may have a bad cell, or there could be a parasitic drain that`s causing the issue.
Bad Sensors
One common culprit for this problem is the crankshaft position sensor, which measures the position and speed of the crankshaft. The computer uses the information from this sensor to know when to fire the spark plugs. If the sensor isn`t working, the spark plugs won`t fire, keeping the engine from starting.
Bad Spark Plugs
If the engine holds compression well, and the fuel system is working correctly, but it still won`t start, that tells us that your car`s spark plugs may not be working. The spark plugs ignite the air/fuel mixture inside the engine`s cylinders. It`s the resulting explosion that actually powers your car.
Put simply, your alternator keeps your car battery charged, allowing you to turn on your car and use electronic accessories such as your headlights and radio. If you`re experiencing car alternator problems, you may find that your car won`t start or stay on for more than a few minutes.
One of the most common causes for a Nissan not starting is due to an issue with the battery. The first thing to do is make sure all of the connections are on tight, as this can sometimes cause problems with starting.
Defective ignition switch If you know your battery is working properly, but your car doesn`t turn over on the first few tries, you might have a problem with the ignition switch. You can try to narrow down the cause of your issue by turning on your headlights.
A Bad Crankshaft Position Sensor The crankshaft position sensor monitors the position and rotational speeds of the crankshaft. Without the crank sensor, the engine control module (ECM) wouldn`t know when to fire the fuel injectors and ignite the spark plugs.
Overview. Related ignition sensors refer to the crankshaft and camshaft position sensors. These sensors monitor the rotational speed and position of the camshaft and the crankshaft components and send this data to the engine control module.
The Likely Culprit: Starter
If you`re unable to start your vehicle, check and see if the headlights and dash lights come on. If they shine bright and clear, that means that the battery and alternator are likely not the cause of the problem. If they were, there wouldn`t be enough power to run the lights.
Fortunately (spoiler alert) the root cause of a no-crank is almost always simple. Most of the time it`s simply due to a low or dead battery, or voltage drop through a corroded connection. Rule those out before you suspect the starter itself.
Fortunately (spoiler alert) the root cause of a no-crank is almost always simple. Most of the time it`s simply due to a low or dead battery, or voltage drop through a corroded connection. Rule those out before you suspect the starter itself.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
My car will not start Intermittently. I purchased a new battery 2 weeks ago and yesterday the car wouldn’t start. Got a jump and
ANSWER : The issue you are having is probably due to an intermittent fault in the starter motor itself or a deficiency in the starter electrical circuit, for example a large voltage drop due to a poor ground or a high resistance connection. These issues can be readily diagnosed and resolved on a mobile basis if you request a hard starting diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic, the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. Based on Toyota’s Factory Service Manual, the battery should not be disconnected if the vehicle engine is running. The battery acts as a large resistive voltage sink and consequently taking the battery out of the circuit, while the alternator is still running, can create a voltage spike on the car’s electrical system which is not good for voltage sensitive components such as the engine computer. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
2005 Chrysler 300C changed battery and alternator. Car started, ran, and then battery light came on. Shut car off and wouldn’t start.
ANSWER : Hi. There is a couple of things that could be wrong here. The battery or alternator that was just installed could be defective. Theses parts need to be tested for proper operation. There also could be a fuse, fusible link, or wiring for the battery or charging system that is blown or broken causing the battery light to come on.
The codes that you have will cause the car to shut down, run rough, or not start at all. The crankshaft sensor and camshaft sensor should be replaced. I suggest having a certified technician from YourMechanic come diagnose the charging system and check engine codes to help you proceed with correct repairs.
Water was spilled in the trunk which soaked the car battery. Car won’t start now. Does water destroy a car battery?
ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in about the concern with the BMW 320i. If the battery was submerged in water then it’s completely possible for the battery to short out and die. Your friend will need to have the battery replaced. Also be sure to get all of the water out of the trunk. Have a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, help you guys out if you need assistance with replacing the battery. Good luck.
Fuel pump engages. Batery good, alternator good volts, jump start helps when wont start. Temp does not matter. Intermittent?
ANSWER : Hello. Thank you for writing in. There are several reasons your vehicle may only start when jump starting. The first and most common is a build up of resistance that is causing you to need a boost of voltage to get the engine started. This may be due to poor battery cables, a bad ground connection, a poor starter solenoid, and a couple of other issues. The first thing you want to do is perform a visual inspection of the starting system. Make sure there is no corrosion build up in the battery cables. You can also check the resistance across these wires and make sure you have a solid connection between components. You then want to make sure the starter solenoid is doing its job. It is responsible for taking the small amount of electricity sent by the ignition and turning it into a huge electrical charge that is strong enough to push over the engine with the help of some gear ratios in its favor. Do some more testing, and stick to the basics before assuming its something seriously complicated.
Car will not crank after putting in a new starter. Forced starter to start up and engine starts but stalls out. Will the security continue to cut off fuel while force starting?
ANSWER : Hi there. Forcing the starter to engage to make the engine run without the ignition engaging the starter will continue to keep the security on. This is a safety feature that keeps people from stealing your vehicle. I recommend replacing the ignition switch and checking the wires to make sure that they are all tight and clean. If you need further assistance with diagnosing your ignition problem, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
Hello, my battery died in my car last night I replaced it got home and now it won’t start. Starter or alternator? CEL on now also
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. With full battery power, the battery may still be struggling to use that voltage and it may not be providing enough amperage to the starter. You should have the battery tested at an automotive parts store. The battery is the only component that powers the starter at first, and it will also cause issues while driving although you are mostly dependent on the alternator once running. If the battery checks out, you want to turn your attention to the starter. Starters can also be tested at automotive parts stores, but these tests are not always accurate (they do not measure the starter’s ability to push over the engine, but only to spin freely). If you would like more help with testing, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.
Car left two days didn’t start third day, lights go on, no start up. AAA battery charger started car.
ANSWER : Hello. It sounds like you have a battery issue. If the jump starting got the vehicle going then that means that the battery alone could not produce enough power to start the vehicle. If the battery is low enough it can power some of the lights and other electrical circuits in the vehicle and just not crank it. If you want to have your battery checked, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [diagnose why the car does not start] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-not-starting-inspection
My car hums when I try to start it on cold mornings. Battery starter and alternator tested and all are fine. I need help please!
ANSWER : A car battery can appear to be 100% "charged" and still be essentially useless. The only way to determine the viability of a "used" battery is to perform a load test on the battery at a professional battery shop or with a mechanic who has a load tester. If the battery passes the load test (even if it marginally "passes" the test, absolutely get a new battery), the starter relay and/or solenoid are checked for power (i.e., is full battery voltage getting to them and is there close to zero voltage drop). If they are getting power, the starter is probably no good because the bendix drive will typically fail after high miles. A completely useless starter, that is one with a failed bendix drive, will test 100% perfect on a starter tester at any of the big box auto stores, simply because those are freewheeling tests with absolutely zero load on the starter. Once you load the starter, as in try to actually start an engine which presents significant mechanical resistance, the starter simply does not work. My advice is schedule a quick no start diagnostic and YourMechanic will absolutely get you up and running without further problem.
