Imagine you plan to go on a trip with your friends and as soon as you try to start your car it doesn’t start. Now, what to do? Is it a strange problem that you can’t seem to solve? Dealing with this issue can be a frustrating experience. However, we will assist you in dealing with it promptly and effectively.
This post will give you some suggestions for resolving the problem of my car starts sometimes and sometimes it doesn’t.
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Why Your Car Start Sometimes And Sometimes Doesn’t
You never know how valuable something is until it’s no longer there… and this is especially true when it comes to your car. You use it to transport your kids to school, drive to work, do grocery shopping, go across town, and more. So it’s a major pain when it suddenly quits working.
Your automobile won’t start for a variety of reasons, although some are more prevalent than others. There are five frequent reasons why your automobile won’t start listed below.
1. Sensor For Crankshaft Positioning
The crankshaft positioning sensor is the first thing that comes to mind when an automobile begins and then stops. You won’t be able to start your car if the sensor isn’t working properly.
It allows your vehicle to restart after a long period of cranking.
An OBD2 scanner tool can be used to diagnose this issue. However, even if it is still operational and your vehicle eventually begins to move, there is no guarantee that the battery is unharmed.
2. Ignition Switch Failure
If your battery appears to be in good condition but your car won’t start after a few attempts, you may have an issue with the ignition switch. Turning on your headlights can help you narrow down the source of the problem. This is because your car’s battery controls your headlights and dashboard, and if they turn on but your engine won’t start, a faulty ignition switch is most likely to blame.
3. Cables And Wires
Any damage to the wires and cables can interrupt the flow of electricity, preventing your vehicle from starting. Corroded battery terminals, broken or loose connections, or faulty cables are all possibilities.
If you don’t do mechanical checks on a regular basis, you may have one or more of these symptoms.
The function of the battery terminal might also be harmed by dirt or debris. Cleaning the battery with a solution of warm water and baking soda will solve the problem.
Ensure that the mixture does not come into contact with other parts under the filler caps while removing pollutants, dirt, and debris.
4. Fuel Filter That Is Clogged
The gasoline will not be able to reach the engine if your fuel filter is clogged. This makes it tough for your car to get going by burning the fuel it requires. Fuel filters should be replaced every 15,000 to 20,000 kilometers, so ask your mechanic about it the next time your car is serviced.
5. Solenoid For The Starter
A defective solenoid may cause a repeated clicking sound in the engine area. Furthermore, there may be audible noise beneath the capote, indicating that something is lodged inside, leading to an unengaged magnet coil.
If you hear any of these weird noises when starting your car, it could be a symptom of a faulty starter solenoid, which will disable the vehicle’s starting mechanism.
To ensure that the starting mechanism works properly, make sure the starter solenoid is fully connected and the wires are clean.
What To Do If My Car Starts Sometimes And Sometimes It Doesn’t
If your automobile won’t start, a variety of problems could be to blame. The starter and battery, fuel distribution, and ignition are the three key areas that should be addressed initially. If your car won’t start, it’s likely that the issue is one of the items on this list. Start narrowing down potential difficulties so you can figure out what you need to do to fix the car.
1. Checking The Battery And The Starter
When you try to start the vehicle, pay attention to it. A dead battery is frequently the easiest issue to diagnose when it comes to starting your vehicle. Listen to the sound the motor produces as it tries to start when you turn the key in the ignition. It could just be a dead battery if it makes no sound at all.
- If you hear clicking, it’s possible that the starter is trying to work but isn’t getting enough power.
- It’s unlikely that the battery is the problem if the engine turns over but won’t start.
2. Inspect The Connectors Of The Battery
Examine the connections between the battery and the engine under the hood of the vehicle. In order to transmit electricity sufficiently, both terminals (positive and negative) must have clean metal on metal connections. Check that both cables are connected and that the terminals aren’t oxidized or covered in debris.
- Clean corroded battery terminals using a steel toothbrush.
- Ensure that the cables are securely fastened to the terminals and that they cannot be wiggled or pulled away from the battery.
3. Examine The Battery
After you’ve examined the battery wires, test the voltage in the battery with a voltmeter. Turn on the voltmeter and connect the positive (red) lead to the battery’s positive terminal, then the negative lead to the battery’s negative terminal. The voltage should be between 12.4 and 12.7 volts if the battery is fully charged.
- Try jumping-starting the battery if it’s dead.
- Replace the battery if it won’t hold a charge and try starting the vehicle again.
4. Make An Attempt To Jumpstart The Car
Use another vehicle to jump-start the engine if the battery cables are secure. Jumper cables should be used to connect the two batteries, with the red cable on the positive terminals and the black cable on the negative terminals.
5. The Starter Solenoid Should Be Tested
If jumping the car didn’t work, the starter or solenoid may be malfunctioning. To begin, use a test light to check the starter solenoid. Connect the test light to the solenoid’s bottom terminal and ground the negative cable to the vehicle’s body. Try starting the vehicle with a friend to check if the solenoid engages.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here are some frequently asked questions about my car starts sometimes and sometimes doesn’t:
1, Why Won’t My Car Start Even Though The Battery Isn’t Dead?
A broken or damaged ignition switch, like the starter engine, might prevent your car from starting. If your headlights work but your car won’t start, it suggests your battery is charged but the starter or ignition is malfunctioning.
2. Is It Possible For A Car To Not Start Because Of A Faulty Oil Pump?
A car may be unable to start due to a decrease in oil pressure.
3. Is It Possible For A Defective Sensor To Prevent An Automobile From Starting?
In fact, the majority of sensors are in charge of making modifications to vital systems like ignition and fuel systems. Because every engine must have the proper air-to-fuel ratio and ignition timing to start, having a malfunctioning sensor can cause serious problems.
Conclusion
We’ve just gone through the problem: my car starts sometimes and sometimes it doesn’t, as well as the key causes and details.
As we previously stated, your automobile may be unable to start due to electrical issues. There could be problems with the fuel injection system, such as clogged filters or damaged injectors, or there could simply be a lack of engine compression.
When the engine’s compression is low, the engine struggles to start and run, and it’s tough to keep it running. As a result, you should begin looking for a remedy based on the problem. The majority of the issues are inexpensive to rectify and only require a basic understanding of mechanics.