When you turn the key or press start, what happens next is the best clue to what's wrong. Match your symptom below to narrow down the cause and decide what to do next.
Nothing happens: no lights, no sound
This almost always points to the battery: completely flat, a loose or corroded terminal, or a failed battery. Common triggers are lights left on, short journeys in cold weather, or a battery over about five years old.
If the battery is new and the car keeps going flat, there may be a charging fault (alternator) or something draining power while the car is parked.
A single click or rapid clicking
- Rapid clicking usually means the battery has some charge but not enough to turn the engine.
- A single loud click with dash lights working often points to the starter motor or its connections.
The engine turns over but won't fire
If the starter spins the engine normally but it won't catch, the battery is probably fine. The problem is fuel, spark or the engine's electronics. Common causes:
- Running out of fuel. It happens more often than you'd think, especially if the gauge is faulty.
- A failed fuel pump or blocked fuel filter.
- Ignition faults on petrol cars, such as coil packs or spark plugs.
- Glow plug problems on diesels, especially in cold weather.
- Sensor faults, such as the crankshaft position sensor.
- An immobiliser issue. Try your spare key.
These need a diagnostic check to pinpoint the cause.
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Call 07831 416334It starts, then cuts out
An engine that fires briefly then dies can point to a fuel supply problem, an idle control or sensor fault, an air leak, or the immobiliser cutting in. A diagnostic scan usually reveals stored fault codes that point the way.
Should you jump start it?
If the symptoms point to a flat battery, a jump start or booster pack can get you going. Follow your handbook's instructions carefully, especially on modern cars with sensitive electronics and start-stop systems. If the car goes flat again, the battery or charging system needs testing, as a jump start doesn't fix the cause.
Getting it fixed without a tow
Because a car that won't start can't be driven to a garage, a mobile mechanic is often the quickest and cheapest option. We come to your home or workplace, find the cause and fix most starting problems on the spot, including batteries, starter motors, alternators and sensors. See our general repairs or get a free quote.
General guidance only. If your car has broken down somewhere unsafe, such as a motorway hard shoulder, get to safety and call your breakdown provider or the emergency services.