Clifton Park Auto Repair

Few things are as inconvenient and embarrassing as a car that doesn't start when you need it. Let's look at the most common culprits and how to identify the problem.

The Battery

The battery is essential to start your car as it powers the starter. A weak battery will likely cause a sluggish start, which indicates that the battery may die entirely and be unable to start the car at all soon.

Should you suspect that the battery is responsible, check its connections for signs of corrosion and check that the battery isn't warped or bulging. Some cars may have a battery warning indicator that may illuminate when the battery power is low.

If the battery is the culprit, overcome the situation by jump-starting the car and replace the battery.

The Alternator

The alternator is responsible for charging the battery and powering the onboard electronics while the car is running. If the alternator fails, you may notice dim dashboard indicators, dim headlights, or an illuminated battery warning indicator.

If the alternator is responsible, you may attempt to jumpstart the car. It is likely that your car will start, but switch off immediately as there is no alternator to charge and thus sustain the battery power.

A bad alternator will require a mechanic's opinion and will need repair or replacement.

The Starter

As the name implies, the starter is essential to get the engine running. The starter is the link between the battery and the motor.

A lousy starter may present with a clicking sound when attempting to start the car, but there will be no response from the engine. The dashboard indicators will still come on as the battery is still working in contrast to an alternator issue.

If the starter is the problem, you're out of luck as a jumpstart will not get the engine started.

Any of the above three critical parts could be responsible if your car doesn't want to start. It's best to investigate and have a specialist look at a solution. If you're having trouble starting your car, we invite you to bring your vehicle into our auto repair shop today!