It’s a sinking feeling: You put the key in the ignition, turn it and … nothing happens. If this happens to you, listen closely. The sound your car makes—or doesn’t—is a clue to what’s going on under the hood, and whether you should call for a tow or try to fix it yourself.
Here are some of the most common issues, according to Richard Reina, product training director at CARiD.com, and what you should do about them.
No Sound, No Lights
It might be: A battery connection problem.
What to do: Check the cable connections at the battery. They may look fine, but see if you can twist and turn them by hand; if you can, the connection’s loose. Remove them, clean them with a paper towel or rag, reconnect (you’ll likely need a wrench to tighten down the clamps) and try again.
It might be: A dead battery.
What to do: Try a jump start. You’ll need cables and someone with a car to connect your battery to theirs. Here’s how to jump start your car.
No Sound But Dashboard Lights Go On
It might be: The car isn’t in park or neutral, or the switch on the side of the transmission has gone bad in the park position.
What to do: Move the gear to neutral and see if the car will start. Also try pushing the brake pedal (or clutch, in a car with a manual transmission).
It might be: A faulty starter motor, or your ignition switch or cables from the ignition to the starter aren’t working properly.
What to do: Call for a tow and get to a repair shop right away.
It might be: A problem with the key fob, like a bad transponder or a dead battery.
What to do: There should be an option to start your car even if the fob’s battery is totally dead. Check your owner’s manual.
Engine Makes A Clicking Sound
It might be: A weak battery.
What to do: Turn on the headlights. If they come on brightly, your battery is good and the clicking means you have either a bad connection or a bad starter. If the lights come on very dimly, the problem is a weak battery, and you should try a jump start.
Normal Cranking But Engine Won’t Fire
It might be: You’re out of gas, or running very low.
What to do: Call a service to bring you some fuel.
It might be: A flooded engine, if you have an older car with a carbureted engine. This happens when there’s too much fuel in the engine and the spark plugs are wet and won’t spark.
What to do: Hold the gas pedal all the way down and crank the engine; this will clear the fuel out of the combustion chamber.
It might be: A blown fuse for the fuel pump or ignition circuit.
What to do: When a fuse fails, it’s easy to spot—you’ll see the metal strip is broken and has a bit of black around it. Check your owner’s manual for the fuse box location and replace the fuse. Most car makers provide spare fuses in extra spaces in the fuse box.
A Slow, Dying Crank
It might be: A weak battery.
What to do: Try a jump. Then get to a mechanic as quickly as possible, because it’s only going to happen again.
A Crank With A Grinding Noise
It might be: The starter is not engaging the flywheel.
What to do: Cycle the key on and off three or four times; it should catch the flywheel and start. However, this means that you have broken teeth on your flywheel, so get your car to the shop right away.
Super-Fast Cranking With A Spinning Noise
It might be: A broken timing belt. The connection between the upper half and the lower half of the engine is broken. The pistons have no resistance, and they’re moving up and down faster than usual because some valves remain open.
What to do: Stop cranking immediately and call for a tow; this is a serious problem. To help prevent this problem, replace your timing belt as part of your regular maintenance.
If your car won’t start, hearing a tow truck is a welcome sound. Fortunately, it’s easy to call one with Emergency Roadside Service, available through the GEICO Mobile App. Another nice noise? Hearing that you could be paying less for car insurance from GEICO. Get a quote now and see if you could save!
Read more: The Extreme Weather Driving Guide
By Ellise Pierce
Illustrations by Curt Merlo
Stephie Smith says,
Last year, I had to call a towing company because my car wouldn’t start. We found out it was because the fuel line was frozen; I hope more people hear about this, because it’s definitely good information to know! Thanks for sharing.
carmelita rumbaoa says,
Good 2 know
Mary Crader says,
I love this new addition to you app!!! So informative and most helpful
You guys are awesome! 🙂
Rachelle Reeves says,
I have a strange problem with my car. I have a car starter button on my key, and when I use it my car starts just fine. When I try to start the car by actually turning the key, it won’t start. Could that lead to other problems with the car?
Jeff Bridges says,
It’s a scary feeling when your car won’t start. Especially if you are without cell service. It’s always a good idea to keep jumper cables in the car so you can get a jump from another vehicle. It’s also nice to have a little emergency pack with snacks and water for while you wait for a tow truck if it’s something more severe.
Cathy Small says,
Jumper cables are nice, but a battery booster is better. I purchased one because so many things are happening to people these days and many people help you expecting a monatery return. Smartest thing I ever did. Just connect it to the battery, push the button, and start your car.
Rhys Rawson says,
Thanks for the tip about what to do if my car cranks but won’t start. This usually happens to me in the winter, so it’s probably a frozen fuel line, like you mentioned. If this happens again, I’ll be sure to call a mechanic to get it fixed. Great article!
Anthony says,
Car ran fine last nite but went to start it today nothing at all..cant remember uf i left lights on ….bought new battery today starter not that old im so in need of help really confused…
2004 Chevrolet Impala ls
Lilly Sedrick says,
If your car is having a hard time starting, it is a good idea to get hold of a towing company. They can help get your car out of the driveway and to a safe location or repair shop. That way you can get your car fixed as soon as possible. There is definitely nothing worse than having a car that won’t start.
Kent Nelson says,
This is very helpful information, because it doesn’t hurt to know what could cause car to breakdown. My wife’s car did not start the other day, and I believe that it is the alternator. We are going to have to get it to the mechanic, and see if he can get it replaced. Thank you for sharing.
Hamed says,
I have a Honda civic 2010.
Battery ran out of electricity, so I changed battery to a new one.
I was ok for almost two weeks, then again same issue. Could not turn the engine ON.
I thought if problem is not battery, then it is electricity motor which generates electricity for battery. I changed that electricity motor and one more time put another new battery.
Again battery is low on electricity after two weeks. What else is not working causing this issue, please.
Cathy Small says,
Alternator. If it’s bad, it will drain a new battery.
Kent Nelson says,
My wife’s car wont start, and I think that it may be a bad alternator. I don’t know how to fix this sort or thing, so we are going to have to get it towed to the nearest shop. Hopefully it will be an easy fix, and we will be able to get the car back as soon as possible.
Virginia Davis says,
Thanks for the tips. I went on a road trip last summer, and my car wouldn’t start after I’d stopped at a rest area about 50 miles from anything. I don’t know anything about cars, so I didn’t know what to do. I just called a tow truck to take me into town. If that ever happens again, though, I will be sure to try these tips first.
Audrey Blakeney says,
Thank you for explaining the dangers driving in snow or during the winter can have on your car. I fill up my car only once the gas light comes on, even in the winter, but now I know that could cause my car to not start. Towing is helpful but troublesome to worry about, so thank you for making me aware of ways to avoid it.
Durandana says,
Hello, and thank you for sharing this information on what to do in the situation where you need a tow company. Many times when a car breaks down it is unexpected, and can leave you stranded. It’s important to have contacts with towing services in case this kind of situation ever arises.
Seth Ashford says,
Thanks for sharing this advice on fixing your car starting problem. I actually woke up this morning with a car that won’t start, so I am panicking a little bit. It sounds like my car could be suffering from a battery problem, so I’ll see if I can get a jump from someone else. However, if there is still a problem, I’ll have to call a towing company.