A dead battery is an annoyingly popular reason why a car won't start. Without this key electrical component, your car simply won't get going. Look out for the battery sign on the dashboard, as well as other signs such as previously malfunctioning headlights or problems starting the car on cold days.

1 / 30 Fotos

The battery is dead -

Many cars can still get away with a good old jump-start, but the method is not advised on some modern cars. Another option is to carry a portable battery charger in the trunk and use it.

2 / 30 Fotos

It may be a corroded battery terminal -

If the battery has charge, then look out for any indication that the flow of electricity is being blocked. This can be caused by problems with loose or ripped cable connections or indeed a corroded battery terminal.

3 / 30 Fotos

It may be a corroded battery terminal -

A corroded battery terminal will need to be cleaned before reattaching or replacing the cables. You should, however, leave this to the professionals.

4 / 30 Fotos

There's a problem with the alternator -

The alternator essentially distributes electricity to the car and recharges the battery. If it's faulty, then the car won't start.

5 / 30 Fotos

There's a problem with the alternator -

If you suspect the alternator may be the culprit, then get it checked out by a professional ASAP, as a bad alternator can actually damage the car's battery.

6 / 30 Fotos

Your car is in gear -

For your car to start, it needs to be in neutral or park. If your car is in gear, then it shouldn't start.

7 / 30 Fotos

Your car is in gear -

If your car does start when it's in gear, or just in park or neutral (and not both), then you should get it checked out. This can be a sign of a bad neutral safety switch.

8 / 30 Fotos

It might be a faulty fuse -

Fuses protect the electrical wiring in vehicles, so if there is a faulty or blown one, your car won't start.

9 / 30 Fotos

It might be a faulty fuse -

If a fuse is damaged, it won't allow power to reach the starter relay, and consequently affects the ignition of the vehicle. If you suspect this to be the case, then get it checked out by a professional.

10 / 30 Fotos

Maybe it's a faulty fuel pump relay -

The fuel pump relay is an electrical component that plays a role in how the fuel is pumped to the combustion chamber.

11 / 30 Fotos

Maybe it's a faulty fuel pump relay -

Look out for the engine light on you dashboard, as well as inconsistent acceleration, the engine stalling, and, of course, the car not starting.

12 / 30 Fotos

It can be a problem with the ignition switch -

The ignition switch directs power from the battery to other components, so if the starter motor or ignition system doesn't have power, then the car won't start.

13 / 30 Fotos

It can be a problem with the ignition switch -

This doesn't happen often, but it can happen. Sometimes using a heavy keychain (with lots of other keys) can put a strain on the ignition switch and damage it in the long term.

14 / 30 Fotos

The battery of your car's key fob might be dead -

The push-start button on your car won't work if it doesn't receive a signal from then key fob.

15 / 30 Fotos

The battery of your car's key fob might be dead -

Replacing a dead car key fob battery is possible. Though if you don't feel comfortable doing it on your own, take it to a professional.

16 / 30 Fotos

It's the starter motor -

This device rotates an internal-combustion engine to make the engine run under its own power. It has a component called the starter solenoid, which if broken doesn't allow the car to start.

17 / 30 Fotos

It's the starter motor -

The starter solenoid transfers electricity from the battery to the starter motor, which in turn cranks the car's engine. If it's broken, turning the ignition key on is useless.

18 / 30 Fotos

You might have a bad spark plug -

A bad spark plug will not allow fuel ignition, so the car won't start.

19 / 30 Fotos

It might be the distributor cap or rotor -

In addition, the distributor cap or rotor may be damaged. The distributor directs current from the ignition coil to the spark plugs.

20 / 30 Fotos

It might be the distributor cap or rotor -

The distributor cap has a rotor inside, and a cap to protect the contacts between the internal rotor and the spark plug wires. Any issues with it will affect the car's ignition.

21 / 30 Fotos

It can be the timing belt -

The timing belt is crucial for the engine to work. If it's broken, then it doesn't work. If it actually breaks while the car is running, it damages the engine.

22 / 30 Fotos

It can be the timing belt -

Some cars do come with a a timing chain instead of a rubber timing belt. Either way, the replacement is a job for a mechanic.

23 / 30 Fotos

You have no fuel -

This is a pretty obvious one, but it can happen. You may not have enough fuel in the tank for the car to start.

24 / 30 Fotos

You have no fuel -

You may, however, have a faulty fuel reading gauge, and consequently think you have enough fuel when you don't.

25 / 30 Fotos

The fuel filter might be clogged -

The fuel filter's job is to filter any contaminants (e.g. debris and rust particles) from the fuel so they won't reach the engine. As with any other filter, it can get clogged up.

26 / 30 Fotos

The fuel filter might be clogged -

A completely clogged fuel filter will reduce fuel pressure and it won't reach the engine, so the car won't start.

27 / 30 Fotos

There's a problem with the ground cable -

The ground cable is the thick black battery cable that connects to the negative terminal. This cable is responsible for the flow of electricity to most of the car.

28 / 30 Fotos

There's a problem with the ground cable -

If it is faulty or damaged, it can affect the electrical current from reaching key parts of the vehicle, and, consequently, the car won't start.

Sources: (RepairSmith) (Mental Floss) (The AA)

29 / 30 Fotos

0 / 30 Fotos

The battery is dead -

Shutterstock

1 / 30 Fotos

The battery is dead -

Many cars can still get away with a good old jump-start, but the method is not advised on some modern cars. Another option is to carry a portable battery charger in the trunk and use it.

Shutterstock

2 / 30 Fotos

It may be a corroded battery terminal -

Shutterstock

3 / 30 Fotos

It may be a corroded battery terminal -

A corroded battery terminal will need to be cleaned before reattaching or replacing the cables. You should, however, leave this to the professionals.

Shutterstock

4 / 30 Fotos

There's a problem with the alternator -

The alternator essentially distributes electricity to the car and recharges the battery. If it's faulty, then the car won't start.

Shutterstock

5 / 30 Fotos

There's a problem with the alternator -

If you suspect the alternator may be the culprit, then get it checked out by a professional ASAP, as a bad alternator can actually damage the car's battery.

Shutterstock

6 / 30 Fotos

Your car is in gear -

For your car to start, it needs to be in neutral or park. If your car is in gear, then it shouldn't start.

Shutterstock

7 / 30 Fotos

Your car is in gear -

If your car does start when it's in gear, or just in park or neutral (and not both), then you should get it checked out. This can be a sign of a bad neutral safety switch.

Shutterstock

8 / 30 Fotos

It might be a faulty fuse -

Fuses protect the electrical wiring in vehicles, so if there is a faulty or blown one, your car won't start.

Shutterstock

9 / 30 Fotos

It might be a faulty fuse -

Shutterstock

10 / 30 Fotos

Maybe it's a faulty fuel pump relay -

The fuel pump relay is an electrical component that plays a role in how the fuel is pumped to the combustion chamber.

Shutterstock

11 / 30 Fotos

Maybe it's a faulty fuel pump relay -

Look out for the engine light on you dashboard, as well as inconsistent acceleration, the engine stalling, and, of course, the car not starting.

Shutterstock

12 / 30 Fotos

It can be a problem with the ignition switch -

The ignition switch directs power from the battery to other components, so if the starter motor or ignition system doesn't have power, then the car won't start.

Shutterstock

13 / 30 Fotos

It can be a problem with the ignition switch -

This doesn't happen often, but it can happen. Sometimes using a heavy keychain (with lots of other keys) can put a strain on the ignition switch and damage it in the long term.

Shutterstock

14 / 30 Fotos

The battery of your car's key fob might be dead -

The push-start button on your car won't work if it doesn't receive a signal from then key fob.

Shutterstock

15 / 30 Fotos

The battery of your car's key fob might be dead -

Replacing a dead car key fob battery is possible. Though if you don't feel comfortable doing it on your own, take it to a professional.

Shutterstock

16 / 30 Fotos

It's the starter motor -

This device rotates an internal-combustion engine to make the engine run under its own power. It has a component called the starter solenoid, which if broken doesn't allow the car to start.

Shutterstock

17 / 30 Fotos

It's the starter motor -

The starter solenoid transfers electricity from the battery to the starter motor, which in turn cranks the car's engine. If it's broken, turning the ignition key on is useless.

Shutterstock

18 / 30 Fotos

You might have a bad spark plug -

A bad spark plug will not allow fuel ignition, so the car won't start.

Shutterstock

19 / 30 Fotos

It might be the distributor cap or rotor -

In addition, the distributor cap or rotor may be damaged. The distributor directs current from the ignition coil to the spark plugs.

Shutterstock

20 / 30 Fotos

It might be the distributor cap or rotor -

The distributor cap has a rotor inside, and a cap to protect the contacts between the internal rotor and the spark plug wires. Any issues with it will affect the car's ignition.

Shutterstock

21 / 30 Fotos

It can be the timing belt -

The timing belt is crucial for the engine to work. If it's broken, then it doesn't work. If it actually breaks while the car is running, it damages the engine.

Shutterstock

22 / 30 Fotos

It can be the timing belt -

Some cars do come with a a timing chain instead of a rubber timing belt. Either way, the replacement is a job for a mechanic.

Shutterstock

23 / 30 Fotos

You have no fuel -

This is a pretty obvious one, but it can happen. You may not have enough fuel in the tank for the car to start.

Shutterstock

24 / 30 Fotos

You have no fuel -

You may, however, have a faulty fuel reading gauge, and consequently think you have enough fuel when you don't.

Shutterstock

25 / 30 Fotos

The fuel filter might be clogged -

The fuel filter's job is to filter any contaminants (e.g. debris and rust particles) from the fuel so they won't reach the engine. As with any other filter, it can get clogged up.

Shutterstock

26 / 30 Fotos

The fuel filter might be clogged -

A completely clogged fuel filter will reduce fuel pressure and it won't reach the engine, so the car won't start.

Shutterstock

27 / 30 Fotos

There's a problem with the ground cable -

The ground cable is the thick black battery cable that connects to the negative terminal. This cable is responsible for the flow of electricity to most of the car.

Shutterstock

28 / 30 Fotos

There's a problem with the ground cable -

If it is faulty or damaged, it can affect the electrical current from reaching key parts of the vehicle, and, consequently, the car won't start.

Sources: (RepairSmith) (Mental Floss) (The AA)

Shutterstock

29 / 30 Fotos

Reasons why your car won't start

Beyond the usual dead battery

18/11/24 | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Vehicles

Have you ever gotten into your car in the morning and it just didn't start? It is truly frustrating and indeed very annoying when this happens. Sometimes the solution can be as simple as getting your jumper cables out of the trunk and finding another driver to help you out, but, some other times, this is not the solution, as the problem is not quite a dead battery.

In this gallery, we look at the main reasons why a car might not start. Click on and get your motor runnin'!