For many car owners, nothing is more frustrating than a vehicle that fails to start. This is especially true for Asheville drivers who’re stranded away from home. If your vehicle won’t crank, check out some of the most common causes listed below.
Bad Vehicle Battery
As expected, a bad vehicle battery is near the top of the list of reasons why your vehicle won’t crank. Although high-quality car batteries can last for five years or more, the cheaper ones often start to deteriorate after only a year. When purchasing a replacement, always choose the best battery that you can afford. During cold weather, you need maximum juice to start the engine.
Remember, even a quality battery will eventually need to be swapped out for a new one. Take a look at your battery’s expiration date. If it’s on the verge of expiring, order a replacement ahead of time.
Battery Corrosion & Loose Connections Can Also Be To Blame When Your Vehicle Won’t Crank
Before you waste money on a brand-new vehicle battery, first check your connections. Loose cables will prevent the battery from being able to send power to the starter. This potential cause for why your vehicle won’t crank is actually a very quick fix. And it only requires one or two basic hand tools to repair.
Corrosion around the terminals is another common problem. You can get rid of this corrosion by scrubbing the parts using a toothbrush. Simply dip the toothbrush in a mixture of baking soda and water. To prevent this problem from happening again, apply anti-corrosion gel to the terminals.
Dead Fuel Pump
A dead fuel pump will ultimately force you to call for a tow. When properly maintained, some fuel pumps can last for 150,000 miles or more. However, you need to take the necessary steps to extend its life.
Never drive your car on a near-empty tank of gas. This can cause the fuel pump to overheat. It’s also important to change your fuel filter at the recommended interval, which helps collect dirt and other contaminants.
Vehicle Won’t Crank Still? Maybe A Failed Starter Is The Problem
Starters are extremely durable. However, motor oil dripping onto a starter can dramatically shorten its lifespan. This is one of the reasons why it’s so important to repair oil leaks.
Many people often mistake a failed starter for a bad battery. If you hear a few loud clicks when turning the ignition key, this is likely a sign of a worn-out starter. Some failed starters will also produce a high-pitched squealing sound.
Bad Spark Plug and Bad Wires
Typically, modern spark plugs are engineered to last between 40,000 and 100,000 miles. In the event that your vehicle is having trouble starting, it could stem from bad spark plugs. This is especially true when also experiencing issues like rough idling and hesitation.
Although your spark plugs may be fine, the ignition wires could be worn out. When installing new spark plugs, these wires need to be replaced at the same time.
No Engine Compression
If your mechanic discovers that your engine doesn’t have any compression, this is definitely bad news. You will likely have to buy a new engine. No engine compression can certainly be the reason your vehicle won’t crank.
A blown head gasket is among the top causes of low compression. While a head gasket can fail due to a manufacturing defect, most blow as a result of owners allowing the engine to overheat. Which is one of many reasons why drivers need to properly maintain their cooling system at all costs.