Стартер не реагирует на поворот ключа зажигания, что делать? Не заводится машина: причины и их устранение

Если стартер не реагирует на поворот ключа зажигания, то не стоит паниковать, все поправить вполне реально. Причин, конечно же, у данного явления может быть много, поэтому необходимо отмести все лишние. Только в таком случае получится найти ту, которая является поводом для такого поведения. Чтобы найти поломку, потребуется знать не только устройство системы запуска двигателя, но и конструкцию стартера. Между прочим, от него зависит напрямую то, как хорошо мотор будет заводиться. Для проведения диагностики стоит рассмотреть основные признаки неисправностей.

При повороте ключа не слышно никаких звуков

Можно сказать, что это наиболее печальный признак. Он говорит о том, что питание на обмотку ротора стартера не поступает. В лучшем случае вышло из строя втягивающее реле, которое замыкает силовые контакты и производит подключение шестерни стартера к коленчатому валу. В худшем имеет место быть износ щеток. В этом случае без полной разборки механизма не обойтись. В том случае, если не заводится машина, причины первым делом следует искать в стартере.

При нулевом заряде батареи вы не услышите звуков от стартера. Впрочем, первым признаком такой неполадки будет являться полное отсутствие накала ламп. Во многих случаях достаточно зарядить аккумулятор. Замена стартера производится очень редко, так как его несложно отремонтировать. Замену производят в крайних случаях, когда имеет место быть разрушение корпуса, появление на нем трещин. Если же не поступает напряжение на обмотки, то чаще всего спасает замена втягивающего реле.

Стартер вращается, но не крутит коленвал

Если же машина не заводится, стартер вращается, а маховик не прокручивает, то возможно появление нескольких неисправностей. Первая – это разрушение бендикса. В его основе находится обгонная муфта, которая позволяет вращаться шестерне только в одном направлении. Любое разрушение этого механизма приводит к тому, что крутящий момент на маховик не передается.

Вторая причина – это разрушение зубьев на венце маховика. Поломка – не из приятных, так как замена данного элемента сопровождается снятием коробки передач на всех автомобилях. Третья причина – обрыв цепи или ремня ГРМ. Признак этого – чересчур быстрое вращение ротора стартера и коленчатого вала. Нет большой нагрузки, которую создает клапанный механизм. Но данная поломка к стартеру не относится, поэтому о ней умолчим.

Если щелкает стартер

Проблемы с запуском мотора могут возникнуть в любое время года, но чаще всего они появляются зимой, когда холодно. Дело в том, что аккумулятор при понижении температуры окружающего воздуха теряет свою емкость. Следовательно, он не может обеспечить необходимым питанием силовые механизмы, к которым относится и стартер. А при низком заряде аккумуляторной батареи стартер не сможет прокрутиться, будут слышны щелчки втягивающего реле, контакты которого не смогут даже замкнуться.

Стоит заметить, что ток потребления этого узла очень большой – во время прокручивания он может достигать значения в 50-80 Ампер. А при коротком замыкании и вовсе подскакивает до 700-800 Ампер. Такое случается, когда коленчатый вал прокручивается туго либо вообще не поддается вращению. Следовательно, в холодную погоду, когда масло становится гуще, прокрутка осложняется, ток уходит, аккумулятор садится значительно быстрее.

Лампы на приборной панели гаснут при повороте ключа

При возникновении этой неисправности потребуется полностью перебирать стартер. А иногда даже и двигатель, так как поломка может скрыться и в нем. Причина такого поведения – короткое замыкание в обмотках стартера. Также происходит это из-за того, что коленчатый вал заклинил и не способен вращаться либо произошло разрушение корпуса стартера и нарушение центровки ротора. Вследствие этого не заводится машина. Причины кроются в том, что питание на обмотки подается.

Если продолжительное время пытаться подать напряжение на стартер путем проворачивания ключа, произойдет обгорание контактов. Это только увеличит стоимость проведения ремонта. Все дело в том, что положительный провод питания идет от втягивающего реле непосредственно от аккумулятора. Никаких степеней защиты нет, поэтому при замыкании происходит практически полное отключение всех систем. Если стартер не реагирует на поворот ключа зажигания, а лампы гаснут, то все дело в коротком замыкании.

Проверка стартера и втягивающего реле

Для проверки необходимо удостовериться в том, что аккумулятор имеет достаточный уровень зарядки, венец маховика цел, а ремень ГРМ не порван. Сначала нужно проверить, работает ли втягивающее реле. Для этого отсоединяете от него тонкий провод. К нему подключаете лампу накаливания, второй ее вывод соединяете с минусом аккумулятора. При повороте ключа зажигания в крайнее положение лампа должна загореться.

Стартер не реагирует на поворот ключа зажигания в том случае, если имеет место быть обрыв обмотки втягивающего реле. Если лампа не горит, то ищите неисправность в замке. Если лампа горит, а сердечник реле не втягивается, то присутствует обрыв обмотки. Ремонтом заниматься бессмысленно, проще заменить втягивающее полностью. Для проверки можно также замкнуть два вывода реле при помощи отвертки. Только делать это нужно при включенной нейтральной скорости.

Как снять стартер

Для снятия стартера потребуется один ключ на 13. Правда, на некоторых автомобилях необходимо использовать головку на 13 с карданом и удлинителем. Снять стартер ВАЗ 2101-2107 оказывается проблематично, так как самая нижняя гайка расположена в неудобном месте. Многие владельцы указанных моделей автомобилей при сборке попросту не закручивают гайку. По сути, крепеж от этого не страдает. Но в редких случаях может вызвать деформацию корпуса.

На автомобилях ВАЗ более поздних моделей, например, 2108-21099, такого недостатка нет. Все гайки выкручиваются даже накидным ключом. Правда, в случае применения инжекторного впрыска возникают неудобства другого плана – мешает воздушный фильтр. Снимать его с резиновых подушек проблематично, поэтому стартер лучше вынимать снизу. Он беспрепятственно вынимается и на карбюраторных моделях таким же образом.

Разборка стартера

Совершенно не имеет значения, стартер «Искра» или какой-то другой использован в системе запуска двигателя. Разбираются они практически одинаково, так как конструкция у всех идентичная. После демонтажа устройства с автомобиля желательно его очистить от пыли и грязи. Затем, используя ключи на 8 или 10, а также отвертки, выкручиваете две гайки, которыми крепится задняя крышка. Под ней расположен конец ротора.

Не спешите рассоединять части стартера, так как на роторе находится стопорное кольцо. Его сначала нужно снять, после чего выкручиваете два болта, расположенные на одной диагонали. Стоит отметить, что мелкие отличия могут быть у двух различных моделей стартеров. После этого аккуратно рассоединяйте стартер на три части. Ротор должен остаться в передней крышке. Чтобы его вынуть полностью, потребуется снять стопорное кольцо и бендикс.

Какие элементы нужно менять?

При проведении капитального ремонта стартера нужно менять практически все его элементы. В задней крышке расположена бронзовая втулка, которая способствует передаче питания на обмотку ротора. От ее состояния зависит если не все, то многое. При большом зазоре между ротором и втулкой передача электроэнергии происходит намного хуже, следовательно, будет теряться большое количество тока.

Обязательна замена щеток. Это тот узел, который подвержен трению и разрушению из-за него. На некоторых моделях стартеров эту операцию сделать невозможно, так как они подключаются при помощи пайки к питанию. Следовательно, при сильном износе щеточного узла нужно откусывать провода. После этого новые щетки припаивать на свои места. К сожалению, такой способ ремонта не всегда надежен. Если стартер не реагирует на поворот ключа зажигания, то нужно проводить его капитальный ремонт. А для этого в обязательном порядке устанавливается новый бендикс.

Как заменить венец маховика?

Это самая сложная неисправность, так как ее устранение выливается в то, что нужно снимать коробку передач. Подобный процесс достаточно сложный. Особенно в случаях, если коробка никогда не снималась либо демонтировалась очень давно. Обычно признаком такой поломки является металлический скрежет, который раздается со стороны маховика. Снятие непосредственно венца и установка нового занимает немного времени.

В некоторых случаях даже не требуется приобретать новый. Достаточно снять старый, перевернуть его и поставить на место. Но вот установка может вызвать небольшие трудности. Сначала необходимо венец прогреть на открытом огне. После этого он просто укладывается на маховик. При остывании металла происходит его сжатие, соединение становится очень крепким. Впрочем, ничего страшного нет, если машина не заводится. Что делать со стартером и его системами, вы уже знаете. Не забывайте вовремя проводить обслуживание, тогда «сюрпризов» точно не будет.

90000 7 Simple Solutions To Fix A Car Key That Will not Turn In The Ignition 90001 90002 90003 90004 90002 Posted On 90006 90007 May 16, 2018 90008 90009 by 90006 Ralph 90009 90004 90002 So you are asking yourself, «my key will not turn in the ignition, what do I do?» The best thing to do is to keep everything simple. Below are simple solutions that you can use to solve the issue of a key that will not turn in your ignition.Some of the seemingly simple fixes can get complicated, so be sure to keep your eyes out for anything that increase the difficulty of your needed repair. 90004 90015 1. Turn the Steering Wheel 90016 90002 The most common reason that a car key will not turn is that the steering wheel has locked. This will happen when the steering wheel has been moved after the key has been removed from the ignition cylinder. 90004 90019 90020 Turn the steering wheel to the right and left. 90021 90020 Note what side the wheel can not be turned to, and the direction that has give.90021 90020 Pull the steering wheel in the direction that has give, and hold it there. 90021 90020 Turn the key toward the accessory position while keeping the steering wheel turned. 90021 90020 If nothing happens, rock the steering wheel as you turn the key. 90021 90020 If this does not work, rock the steering wheel as you jiggle the key in the ignition. 90021 90032 90002 You can mix and match with the methods of turning the wheel and moving the key. As soon as the key turns the steering wheel will unlock, and the car should start.If the key does not turn, then you may have a more severe issue. 90004 90015 2. Lubricate the Lock 90016 90002 A very prevalent cause when a car key will not turn in the ignition is that the keyway of the ignition cylinder is a little jammed up. Just lubricating the lock may be enough to solve your issue. You will say that WD40 is often the go-to example for lubrication of any kind, but I would not recommend it in this case. 90004 90002 It is a classic debate in both the locksmithing and the lock picking hobbyist community as to what the best lubricant is for locks, so at the risk of starting a controversy, I will recommend either using a silicon or graphite based lubricant.Essentially, you are looking for something that is not going to collect dust, grime, and particulates over time, which will eventually jam the lock’s internals to a greater degree. 90004 90002 You can use WD40 as long as you are going to be changing out the ignition cylinder after you turn the key successfully. When you are going to replace it anyway, it gunking up further over time does not matter. 90004 90019 90020 Gather your lubricant, key, and cloth. 90021 90020 Spray the lubricant into the keyway of the ignition cylinder.90021 90020 Wipe away the overspray or anything leaking from the keyhole. 90021 90020 Insert the key and turn it. 90021 90020 If this does not work, jiggle the key. 90021 90020 If this does not work, add more lubricant and repeat. 90021 90032 90002 In cases where this goes minutes without working, lubrication is not the answer when your car key will not turn in the ignition. 90004 90015 3. Rapping the Key 90016 90002 Beyond lubrication, you might need to try something more severe to unjam your lock.It is true that bump keys do not work on cars, but by using a hammer or a vibrating mechanism and your key that will not turn in the car, you might be able to solve your issue. This «rapping», if you will, is meant to shake internal components in the lock into the proper position. 90004 90002 Springs can get lost, or other small parts of the inside of the lock can get stuck. Where lubrication can fail to unstick or get things to move properly, you can shake things temporarily into positions, just in time to turn the key properly.90004 90002 The tool that you use does not need to be a hammer. It can be anything that can create a noticeable vibration that can be applied to the key and / or the cylinder. The idea is just to get the inside of the lock to move more than you could by shaking your key, car, or dashboard. 90004 90019 90020 Place your car key in the car’s ignition. 90021 90020 Use your tool on the key while trying to turn the key. 90021 90020 If this does not work, try to use your tool on the ignition cylinder.90021 90032 90002 Just be very difficult about the amount of force you use in this process as you could damage your key, the ignition, etc. If you are trying to hit your key hard enough to break a locking mechanism, operate with extreme caution as your desire to break things might be more successful than you intend. 90004 90015 4. Fix The Key 90016 90002 Sometimes the problem is with the key you are using, and addressing that particular point of failure is the only option for solving the issue when the ignition key will not turn.If the key is broken, all hope is not lost. Sometimes you can fix a broken key. This is not always the case but it is possible. 90004 90002 The most important part of this process is figuring why your car key is not working. This will then allow you to discover the many different ways the variety of complications can be solved. As long as you can get your key out when your car key will not turn in the ignition, you should be able to investigate the car key. 90004 90083 90020 Try a spare car key, and see if a different key will work.90021 90020 Compare the car key that will not turn in the ignition. 90021 90020 Look at the bitting on the blade of the key for any wear. 90021 90020 Examine for any twists, bends, or breaks. 90021 90092 90002 Fixing the key can actually be very simple, you just need to know what is wrong. If the issue is not clearly visible, assume there is something wrong with electronics. 90004 90015 5. Replace the Key 90016 90002 90098 90004 90002 The most simple fix when there is something wrong with your car key is to just replace the key.There is always a way to copy a broken key. No matter how the key is broken or whether this is something you do yourself or a task that you contract out, there is a solution. 90004 90002 There are several ways to approach this process. 90004 90002 In terms of how much it costs for car key duplication, the number will go up or down depending on how much you do yourself. Contacting your dealership being the most expensive option as it is the most obvious and requires no real time into research.Contacting a locksmith being the middle ground in terms of price, and handling all the work yourself being the cheapest option. 90004 90015 6. Replace the Ignition Cylinder 90016 90002 If the problem is not with your key, then the reason your car key will not turn in ignition might have to do with a faulty ignition cylinder. You will likely not have to replace the entire ignition assembly. And unless your car does not start when the key finally turned you will not even need to undergo ignition switch replacement.90004 90002 As long as you buy the proper ignition cylinder, ignition cylinder replacement does not have to be complicated. Make sure you are buying the right product for your make and model of vehicle, and understand that this process will leave you with an ignition key that is unique from your car door / trunk key. Rekeying will be necessary to remedy this issue. 90004 90019 90020 Turn your key to the accessory position 90019 90020 This can be done with some of the methods listed above (2 or 3, mainly).90021 90032 90021 90020 Find the locking pin on your ignition assembly. 90021 90020 Use a tool of the correct size to depress the lock pin. 90021 90020 Pull the old ignition cylinder lose. 90019 90020 You might need to shake the ignition cylinder loose or finesse it out of its housing. 90021 90032 90021 90020 Insert your new key into the new ignition cylinder. 90021 90020 Fit the new ignition cylinder into the housing. 90021 90020 Allow it to lock into place. 90021 90020 Remove your key.90021 90020 Test to see if the car will start and the key will will not turn in car ignition. 90021 90032 90002 It can get a little hairy if you can not use one of the methods above to get the key to the accessory position. If the key will not turn in the ignition, period, you might have to take the steering column apart and this will cease being a simple solution. 90004 90015 7. Call a Locksmith 90016 90002 When you start out by saying, «my key will not turn in the ignition,» you might end up saying, «I need a locksmith».A locksmith can help with any issue where a key will not turn in the ignition of a car. If you are worried about how much a locksmith costs, know that it should be more reasonable than other avenues of professional help. There are three main reasons your ignition key will not turn, and we will get into how a locksmith can help. 90004 90146 My Key Will not Turn In the Ignition Because of the Steering Wheel Lock 90147 90002 For something as simple as your steering wheel locking, it is not likely to be essential for you to contact a locksmith.It would behoove you to be very patient with performing the process described in the first section of this article (90149 Turn the Steering Wheel 90150). 90004 90002 If you have a new car, it is unlikely that the key or ignition has worn out. But if there is some evidence of a break-in, the reason your ignition key will not turn might not be something as simple as the steering wheel locking. In this case, if you can not unlock your steering wheel and do not know why your key will not turn in the ignition, this is when you should call a locksmith.90004 90146 My Key Will not Turn In the Ignition Because of the Key 90147 90002 When there is something wrong with your car key, a locksmith is often the best option for solving the issue. Unless you have a spare key, avenues such as a hardware store are not going to be able to provide you with a duplicate once the key is already broken. 90004 90002 A locksmith will have key cutters and blanks for every type of car. If the key is worn or broken, there is no issue, as a new key can be cut from code.Where the dealership might rake you over the coals, in terms of price, a locksmith can deliver all the services you need at a more competitive rate. 90004 90146 My Key Will not Turn In the Ignition Because of the Ignition Cylinder 90147 90002 Ignition cylinder issues are some of the most difficult to detect and fix, and it is often overlooked when people are trying to figure out why their car will not start or why their key will not turn in the car ignition. Though it is possible to do this work yourself, a locksmith can solve any complications that rear their head.90004 90002 Replacing the ignition cylinder can get rather complicated in this specific case, where you can not turn the key in the ignition. Taking the steering wheel covers off, or manipulating the key as needed can create many opportunities to damage your automobile further. When your car key will not turn in the ignition, do not let that lead to needing a mechanic and a whole lot of money. Turn to a locksmith before things get out of hand. 90004 90146 Closing Thoughts 90147 90002 90169 90004 90002 Diagnosing the reason your car key will not turn in the ignition is the best way to begin the process of fixing the issue.If you can not determine the problem your car is having, it is best to contact the professionals. Calling a locksmith is always a simple answer, but the rest of these simple solutions can get complicated depending on your skills and situation. Take care to contact a more seasoned technician before things move from a complicated fix to an expensive fix. 90004 90002 Category: Automotive, Car Keys, How To’s 90004 90175 .90000 How to Diagnose an Ignition Key That Will not Turn 90001 90002 It can be frustrating when you insert your key into your car’s ignition and it refuses to turn. Your mind races with all the possibilities of what could be going wrong, but luckily, most ignition key issues are not only common, but also quick to fix. There are three main factors to remember when looking over why your key will not turn, and with some troubleshooting, these tips could help you start and drive off safely in just a few short steps.90003 90002 The three main reasons why an ignition key will not turn include: problems with related components, issues with the key itself, and ignition lock cylinder problems. 90003 90006 90007 90008 Tip 90009: Always make sure your parking brake is on to keep the vehicle secure when following these steps. 90010 90011 90002 Various components related to the ignition system are the most common culprits behind your car key being unable to turn in the ignition. Fortunately, they are also the quickest to identify and fix.There are three components to be aware of: 90003 90002 90003 90002 90008 Component 1: Steering wheel 90009. In many vehicles, removing the key locks the steering wheel from turning. Occasionally, because of this lock, the steering wheel can get stuck, which in turn means the vehicle key also becomes stuck and can not move to release it. «Jiggling» the steering wheel side to side while also attempting the turn the key can relieve this lock pressure and allow the key to turn. 90003 90002 90008 Component 2: Gear selector 90009.Some vehicles do not allow the key to turn unless the vehicle is in either park or neutral. If the vehicle is in park, shake the shifter slightly to ensure it is in the right position and try again to turn the key. This only applies to cars with an automatic transmission. 90003 90002 90008 Component 3: Battery 90009. If the car’s battery is dead, you will often notice that the key will not turn. This is not unusual in higher end vehicles, which frequently use more complex electronic ignition systems.Check the life of your battery to verify this. 90003 90028 Reason 2 of 3: Issues with the key itself 90029 90002 90003 90002 Oftentimes, the problem is not with the related components of the car, but with the vehicle key itself. The following three factors may explain why your key is unable to turn in the ignition: 90003 90002 90008 Factor 1: Bent key 90009. Bent keys can sometimes enter the ignition cylinder, but once inside will not line up correctly to allow the car to start. If your key looks visually bent, you can use a non-metal hammer to carefully flatten the key down.Your goal is to use something that will not damage the key, so ideally this would be made of rubber or wood. You can also place the key on a piece of wood to cushion the blow. Then, very carefully, tap the key until it is straight and attempt to start the car again. 90003 90002 90003 90002 90008 Factor 2: Worn out key 90009. Keys that are worn out are actually very common, particularly on older vehicles. If your vehicle key is worn out, this will not allow the pins inside of the cylinder to drop correctly and start the car.If you have a spare key, try to use that first. If you do not, you can obtain a spare key by writing down your car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is found on the driver’s side windshield or inside the door jamb. You will then want to contact your dealership to get a new key made. 90003 90006 90007 Some newer cars have key codes attached to a set of keys. If your key is worn out and you need a new one, you can give this code to your dealership instead of the VIN. 90046 90010 90011 90002 90008 Factor 3: Incorrect key 90009.Sometimes it’s a simple mistake, and the wrong key is inserted into the cylinder. This happens most often when someone has more than one car key on their key ring. Many keys look similar, especially if they are from the same make. So double check the correct key is being used to try to start the vehicle. 90003 90006 90007 90002 If you see that your key is dirty, cleaning it can also help. Cleaning the key itself is also very easy. Use a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol to remove any foreign material that may be stuck to the key.You can then attempt to start the car again. 90003 90010 90007 90002 Some resources recommend tapping the key with a hammer, or other object, while it is in the ignition, but it is not recommended due to the high risk of not only breaking the cylinder but also breaking the key. This can trap a piece of the key inside the cylinder, causing more damage. 90003 90010 90011 90028 Reason 3 of 3: Ignition lock cylinder issues 90029 90002 Also known as a key cylinder, the ignition lock cylinder is another area that could be causing issues with a key turning over.Below are the two most common problems associated with the ignition lock cylinder and the key not turning. 90003 90002 90008 Problem 1: Obstruction 90009. An obstruction inside the key cylinder will not allow the key to turn the ignition properly. Look inside at the key cylinder with flashlight. You will want to look for any obvious obstruction. Occasionally when a key cylinder has completely failed you will see metal debris inside. 90003 90006 90007 If attempting to clean the ignition lock cylinder, always begin with safety glasses to protect your eyes from any flying debris.To clean, use electrical cleaner or compressed air, and follow the precautions and instructions on the can. Make sure your work area is well ventilated. You can try to re-spray if necessary. If any debris was successfully removed, the key should slide in more easily. 90010 90011 90002 90003 90002 90008 Problem 2: Stuck springs 90009. The pins and springs inside the key cylinder conform to the unique shape of your key, so that only your key will work to turn on your car. There can be problems turning the key due to issues with the pins or springs.When this happens, use a small tack hammer to gently tap the key ignition. This can help loosen any stuck pins or springs. You do not want to hit hard — the aim is to use the vibration of the tap, not the force, to help loosen any jammed pins or springs. Once they are free, you can attempt to insert the key and turn it. 90003 90002 The methods listed above are great ways to get your key turning if it refuses to budge. However, if you are still struggling with key turning issues after you try all these tips, you should contact a mechanic for further diagnosis.YourMechanic provides certified mobile mechanics who come to your home or office and can easily diagnose why your key is not turning and make the necessary repairs. 90003 .90000 Why a car will not start 90001 Home »Why a car will not start 90002 Updated: May 06, 2019 90003 90002 It is frustrating when your car will not start. You are turning the key and … nothing happens. Almost every car owner has experienced this. 90005 There are many things that can go wrong with your car, but no need to worry, there is a solution for almost every problem. 90003 90002 Of course, you can call your local automobile association or a towing service and have your car towed to a local repair shop, but if you want to know why it does not start, read further.90005 The process that goes on from the moment you put the key into the ignition to the point where the engine is running involves a few steps. Once you know at which step things go wrong, you will have a better idea why your car will not start and what to do. If your car has a push button start system, read this guide. 90005 Answer these questions; if the answer has a link, follow it; if not, continue to the next questions. 90003 90011 What happens when you are trying to start the engine? 90012 90002 90014 1.Can you turn the key in the ignition? 90015 Yes No 90005 90014 2. When you turn the ignition ON: 90005 Do the lights come on in the instrument panel? 90015 Yes No 90005 90014 Does the «Security» or Key-shaped light stays on or flashes in the instrument panel? 90015 Yes No 90005 90014 Does the «Check engine» light come on? 90015 Yes No 90005 90014 3. What happens when you turn the ignition key to the «Start» position? 90015 90005 — Nothing happens, the engine will not turn over.90005 — There is a click (or repeated clicking) but the engine will not turn over. 90005 — The engine turns over (cranks) very slowly. 90005 — The engine cranks progressively slower, then just clicks. 90003 90002 If the starter cranks normally, but the car will not start continue to the next page »90005 90003 90011 What to check first 90012 90002 If the car will not start, check the basic things first: 90005 90014 • 90015 Is the battery OK? Read the next paragraph how to check the battery.90005 90014 • 90015 If the car does not start with the automatic transmission in «Park,» does it start in «Neutral»? Sometimes a car will not start in «Park» but starts in «Neutral» because of a problem with a neutral safety switch. Read more about neutral safety switch here: how a car starting system works. 90005 90014 • 90015 Are the battery cables tight and not corroded? 90005 90014 • 90015 Do you think Is there enough fuel in the tank? It’s a common situation when the fuel gauge is not working properly and the car runs out of fuel with the fuel gauge still showing some fuel left.There is no way to check the fuel level other that the fuel gauge. But you can estimate how long did you drive since the last fill up. Read also about signs of low fuel level on the second page of this guide. 90005 90014 • 90015 Is the «Security» or key-shaped light in the instrument panel stays on or blinking? Read below about the security light. 90005 90014 • 90015 Does your car have an anti-theft system that for some reason does not allow the car to be started? 90003 90011 How to check the battery 90012 90002 A discharged or dead battery is one of the possible reasons for a car not to start.Sometimes we just forget turning off the dome light or something else, or it could be some faulty component of the vehicle electrical system that drains the battery down. Sometimes, if the battery is old, it could just die one day, even if the day before it was OK. In either case, if the battery is low on charge, it will not have enough power to turn over the engine: you may hear some clicking noise or the starter may turn very slow when attempting to start the engine. See this video example.90003 90002 Here is a simple way to check if the battery is discharged: 90005 Turn the windshield wipers on. If they move very slow, much slower than usual, the battery is probably low on charge. Look at the dome light. If it gets very dim when you are starting the engine or when you are turning the wipers on, the battery is most likely discharged. 90003 90002 If the battery is relatively new, it can be recharged. One way to do this is to jump start your car and let the engine run for a while to re-charge the battery.Read below about jump starting. One thing to be aware: if the battery is more than 4-5 years old, it might be completely dead, so it will not take charge and the car will not restart again after you shut it off. In this case, you may need a new battery. A problem with the vehicle’s charging system can also cause the battery not to re-charge. 90003 90011 The key will not turn in the ignition 90012 90002 If the key will not turn in the ignition, it could be for a couple of reasons: Often this happens when the steering is locked by the ignition lock with the front wheels turned aside (e.g. when parking on a hill) or when one of the front wheels is pushed against something (e.g. curb stone). In this case, try turning the steering wheel left and right while gently jiggling the ignition key — this might help to release the steering lock. 90005 Another possibility is that there is a problem with the ignition lock or the key itself. This happens; the key and the lock mechanism wear over time. Try to use a spare key. If nothing works, your local dealer is the best place to call.90003 90011 No lights on the instrument panel 90012 90002 If you turn the ignition on and no lights come on at the instrument panel means that there is no power coming from the battery. It could be a dead battery or often a bad ignition switch could cause this. Turn the headlights on, if they work, means the battery has power, so the problem could be with the ignition switch or wiring between the ignition switch and battery. 90003 90002 If no lights coming on in the dash and no other electrical consumers work, the battery could be completely dead or there is no connection between the battery and the vehicle electrical system.Check if the battery terminals look tight. If the battery is completely dead, jump starting might help. 90003 90002 Advertisement — Continue reading below 90003 90011 «Security» or Key-shaped light stays on or flashes on the dashboard 90012 90002 Many cars are equipped with an immobilizer or a security system that allows the engine to start only if the correct key is used. You can find more information about the immobilizer in your owner’s manual.90005 This means that an ignition key has a chip inside with the security code. When you insert it into the ignition, a sensor for the security system reads the code. Normally when you turn the ignition on, you would see a «Security» light to come on for a short time and then it would come off. That would mean that the code in the ignition key is correct, and the car is allowed to start. 90003 90002 If when you turn the ignition ON, the «Security» light stays on or flashing means that your car security system does not recognize the key or there is some problem with some part of the security system itself.90005 Some GM cars, for example, had a problem with the security system sensor located at the ignition lock. Sometimes, the key just needs to be reprogrammed. In some older cars, there was a simple procedure to re-learn the key that would fix this problem. You can find the information how to re-program the key in your owner’s manual or just Google it. You also can try the spare key and if nothing works, your dealer is the place to call. In most modern cars, only an authorized dealer can reprogram the key.Your dealer can also check the immobilizer system. 90003 90011 The «check engine» light does not come on 90012 90091 90092 90093 90094 90002 When you turn the ignition ON before starting the car, the «Check engine» light is supposed to come on indicating that the engine computer (also could be called ECM, PCM, or ECU) is powered on. If the «Check engine» light does not come with the ignition ON, it’s possible that there is no power coming to the engine computer (e.g. due to a broken wire, faulty main relay, blown fuse) or that there is a problem with the engine computer itself. Read more: how to check a fuse. 90003 90097 90098 90099 90011 The starter will not crank 90012 90002 If nothing happens when you turn the ignition key to the «Start» position, it means that the starter motor does not turn over the engine. Most commonly this could be caused by a dead battery; here is How to check the battery. 90005 If the battery checks out OK, but the starter still will not crank, there could be a number of possible reasons.Here are some of them: 90003 90002 90014 • 90015 The ignition switch could be bad — it’s a common problem. An ignition switch is an electrical switch installed at the back of the ignition lock mechanism. If jiggling the key in the ignition helps start the car, the ignition switch should be checked first. See this video. 90005 90014 • 90015 The starter solenoid control wire could have a bad connection. 90005 90014 • 90015 The starter motor itself or a starter solenoid could be bad. 90005 90014 • 90015 A problem with a neutral safety switch.If a car does not start with the transmission in Park, but starts in Neutral, it could be caused by a problem with a neutral safety switch or the shifter cable. For example, see this video. 90005 Read more about starting system. 90005 90014 • 90015 A problem with vehicle’s security system or some other electronic control module (e.g., ECM, BCM) may also prevent the starter from operating. 90005 90003 90011 I can hear a click, but the starter will not crank 90012 90002 It’s a very common problem: you turn the key to the «Start» position, but the engine will not crank; all you hear is a single click or repeated clicking coming from the engine compartment.This has happened to me many times. Very often this could be caused by a weak battery or poor connection at the battery terminals. Sometimes a battery cable can get corroded inside causing the same problem. In some cases a bad connection between the negative battery cable and the engine (bad ground) can cause the same symptoms. 90005 Of course, there could be other reasons, but most often this happens when there is not enough electric current for the starter motor to turn over the engine. 90005 See this paragraph: how to check the battery.90005 Also, check the battery terminals to make sure they are not corroded. Here is a photo how a corroded battery terminal looks: Car maintenance checklist: Battery 90005 If the battery is OK and the battery terminals appear clean and not corroded, the starter solenoid, battery cables or the starter motor itself could be a problem. For example, a problem with the starter motor or solenoid is a fairly common cause for the 2000-2006 Ford Taurus not to start. Earlier models of this vehicle had some problems with starters too.A similar problem with the starter solenoid in 1998-2002 Toyota Corolla sometimes can also cause a condition when there is a click but the starter will not crank. Similarly, in 1998-2001 Toyota Camry a problem with the starter solenoid terminals could cause the condition where the starter would click, but would not crank. In either case the starter motor needs to be rebuilt. Read more here: Starter motor, starting system. 90003 90011 The engine cranks very slow and will not start 90012 90002 This also might be caused by weak or discharged battery; here is how to check the battery.If the battery is OK, the battery cables could have a bad connection at the terminals or the starter motor itself could have a problem. Sometimes, the starter motor armature bushings wear out and the starter armature rubs against the field coils inside the starter motor; this will also cause the starter motor to crank very slow. If this is the case, the starter motor will need to be rebuilt or replaced. Another reason, the engine could have an internal mechanical problem (e.g., lack of oil, very old engine oil).Check engine oil, just in case. Read here how to check engine oil. 90003 90011 The engine cranks progressively slower, then just clicks 90012 90002 If the engine cranks slower and slower until it just clicks, means the starter motor does not have enough power to turn over the engine. This problem should be fairly easy to diagnose, as there are just two cables (positive and negative) to deliver the electric current from the battery to the starter motor. Once again, a very weak battery is the most common problem in this case.A bad starter motor also can cause this issue. And of course, a poor connection or corrosion at the battery terminals or bad battery cables can also cause these symptoms. If the battery is very old, you might want to start with replacing the battery; a new battery is not very expensive. 90003 90011 Jump-starting a car 90012 90002 A jump start is a way of starting a car with a weak battery using a power from a good battery in another vehicle. You will need jumper cables and another car with a good battery, and it’s a fairly quick procedure.90003 90002 Last time my battery died at a grocery store parking lot, a fellow driver helped me to jump-start my car from his vehicle — luckily, I had the jumper cables. We connected the cables, my engine started right away, and in a couple of minutes I was on my way to the parts store to get a new battery. 90005 Now, the process is simple, but you should check your owner’s manual for the right way to do this in your vehicle, because different cars have different locations of the connection points.It’s important to connect the jumper cables the right way, so check the instructions in your owner’s manual carefully. If you do not have an owner’s manual, many car manufacturers offer to download an electronic copy from their websites. Read here: Where to download an owner’s manual 90005 Be careful, a person I know had to scrap his car after he accidentally had mixed the positive and negative cables while jump-starting his car; this caused extensive damage to his vehicle’s electrical system.90003 90002 Next »90003 .90000 What to Do When Your Ignition Key Gets Stuck 90001 90002 90003 Home 90004 90003 Сategories 90006 90003 Accessories 90006 90003 Interior Accessories 90004 90003 Exterior Accessories 90004 90003 Toys 90004 90015 90004 90003 Cleaning & Detailing 90004 90003 Electronics 90006 90003 Audio 90004 90015 90004 90003 Engine & Performance 90004 90003 Tools 90004 90003 Tires & Wheels 90004 90003 Motorcycles & Bikes 90004 90003 Home Care 90004 90003 RV Campers 90004 90003 Off-Road Vehicles 90004 90003 Warranties 90006 90003 Extended Warranties 90004 90003 Factory Warranties 90004 90015 90004 90015 90004 90003 Blog 90004 90003 Tools 90006 90003 Tire Size Calculator 90004 90003 Wheel & Tire Finder 90004 90015 90004 90003 About Us 90004 90003 Contact 90004 90015 90002 90003 90066 90004 90003 90066 90004 90003 90066 90004 90003 90066 90004 90015 90002 90003 Home 90004 90003 Сategories 90006 90003 Accessories 90004 90015 90004 90015.