If dead battery has been ruled out, why else would a car not start?

Question

(Cd player will still turn on, as will the lights inside the car).

Answer 1

Still getting power to CD player and lights. Then It goes to the starter being the problem. Still could be a battery problem tho. When you turn the key do the lights go dim? That could be a weak but not dead battery

Answer 2

Does it do anything when you turn the key? Could be a number of things. Bad connection at the starter. Bad starter. Bad ignition....the list goes on....Some symptoms would help..any noises, do the lights outside work, do lights dim when trying to start??????

Answer 3

"Won't start" is pretty vague. It could be hundreds of posibilities.
Dead battery, Low battery, bad ground wire to engine, bad power wire to starter, bad power wire to battery, bad connection at battery post or terminals, blown fuse, bad key switch, bad starter, bad fuel pump, bad injectors, out of gas, neutral safety switch, seized engine, broken connecting rod, no compression, no spark, bad oil pressure switch, broken timing belt, plugged fuel filter, bad starter solenoid, bad starter, broken rotor, cracked distributor cap, Anti-theft device, water in/on engine, out of gas, vacuum leak, bad gas, bad ignition coil, blown computer, ...

I could list 50 more things easiy...

When you turn the key, what happens? EXACTLY..

Several times a day, someone asks a very similar question to your's.

It's very helpfull to include a little more information in your question to help us, help you, in your times of trouble.

Some of the simple things to include in your question is:

1) Year of car.
2) Make of the car.
3) Model of your car.
Those three things can help us narrow down known issues with particular vehicles that have certain problems that occur on a regular basis. (ie. recalls and such)

Next, If you could give a more detailed explanation of what is happening when you turn the key to start your car.
1) Nothing happens?
2) You hear a "click", but nothing else?
3) You hear the starter turning, but the engine doesn't turn?
4) The starter turns the engine, but the engine won't start up?
5) The engine turns over, but very slowly.
6) the engine turns, but there's an awful banging noise?

Lastly:
What happened last time you drove it?

1) Drove home fine last night, just won't start today?
2) Was driving fine, and it just died on you?
3) You haven't driven it in a while. It's been parked in storage?

I like to say: "The better the question, the better the answer"

Answer 4

try removing the starter and having it tested at the local parts store. Most do it for free. It could also be the celenoid if it's a ford product. Battery cables that are damaged could also do it. Good luck!!!

Answer 5

bad starter? bad alternator? short in the electrical system?
wait for a car guy to answer..these are just thoughts..

Answer 6

does the motor turn over