How can I tell why my car won't start?

Question

When I turn the key, all it does is click. I have been told...battery, starter and altenator. Which of these do you think it would be?

Answer 1

Do all of your lights seem dim at all? thats the sound it usually makes when the battery is dead or almost dead and doesn't have enough power to turn the engine over.

Answer 2

You've already received some good info here. I'll just add a quick, easy check you can do yourself.

Make sure the car is in park or neutral with the parking brake set or the wheels chocked. Crawl under the car with a small hammer and locate the starter. Have someone attempt to start the car, and have them hold the key in the "start" position".

Give the starter a good whack with the hammer. If it starts cranking, you just diagnosed a bad starter or starter solenoid. And you should replace both at the same time anyway.

Answer 3

Clicking sound when trying to start a vehicle usually means a bad STARTER SOLENOID.But you must be sure that you have TWELVE (12) full volts available when you turn the key.MY advice is to take your vehicle to a repair shop that you trust and have them evaluate the vehicles starting system.If you don't have a repair shop that you trust then try contacting your local chamber of commerce or BBB and ask for a referral.You did not state what make your vehicle was.As most vehicles the solenoid is mounted to the starter while some the solenoid are mounted near the battery under the hood.

Answer 4

The answers that suggested the battery left out one issue. If the alternator is bad, it doesn't recharge the battery properly. That kills the battery. Many auto part stores will test all three at no charge. If your problem is the battery, you can Jump start the car. If that won't work, the battery is not you only problem.

Answer 5

check the battery to see if there a charge form it if there is then it could be connection on your starter or batter or the starter selonoid could be gone and you would have to replace the starter. if there isnt a charge try charging it if it doesnt hold a charge then your battery in bad if it does then that means your battery just got drained or your alternator isnt charging the battery

Answer 6

it wouldnt be the alternator,but it could be the battery or starter.check the terminals,to make sure they are clean and tight,also make sure your battery is fully charged,and it might be the starter solenoid,not kicking the starter in.the only thing the alternator does is keep the battery charged.

Answer 7

U were told that because it could be ANY [except] alternator OR even an ignition switch, or solenoid . etc. unless your physic - maybe with some detail about battery condition - terminals - any dash lights / etc. previous symptions ?

Answer 8

well if the battery is dead your lights wont turn on either

Answer 9

could be any of these things + a million more. best thing to do is take it to a shop...good luck