Nothing sucks more than an inoperational car – whether on a snowy winter morning or a dreadful heated day. There could be several reasons why this happens. If you are somewhat experienced with working on a car, or even if you’re not, tune into the possible reasons and solutions for this problem.
Summary
The most common reasons the engine cranks and turns over are a dead battery and problems with the ignition coil. However, it can also include the following reasons:
- Issues with the spark plugs
- A fuel filter that’s not cooperating
- Issues with the fuel injector
Here are 11 reasons the engine cranks and turns over, but the car won’t start.
Table of Contents
- Summary
- Reasons the car engine cranks but won’t start
- The best diagnostics tool
- It overheated & won’t turn over – what do I do?
Reasons the car engine cranks but won’t start
What gets an engine to start successfully is the optimum combination of four things – spark, fuel, air, timing, and compression. If either one gets compromised, you’re looking at a breakdown.
Let’s learn all about the reasons a car engine cranks but the car won’t start below.
Battery is dead
The most common reason for a car not starting is the battery. It can go dead at night if you leave the headlights on while parked. It can also give up after 4-5 years of use.
What you’ll need, therefore, is to jump-start the car with another battery. If the battery needs replacement altogether, you’re in for a chunk out of your pocket. A battery can range from $50 to $160 in the US.
Ignition coil
An ignition coil is what is responsible for the entire ignition system. Since the spark plug is the first point of contact for the car to start, the coil is crucial to providing current to the plug. It transfers energy from the battery to the spark plug and gets the car running.
A sign of the coil going bad is an obvious deafening misfire from the engine. But it can be silent too. So you’re having struggles to start the car, pay attention to the coil.
The spark plug
The spark plug is exactly what it sounds like. It sparks the ignition system of the entire car and gets it to start. So if it won’t start at all, check the spark plug too.
Sometimes a spark plug will wear out if you turn the engine too much, trying to get your car to start. That’s why one should not turn the key too much when the vehicle is not starting.
Spark plugs carry voltage that ignites the fuel. Usually, spark plugs need replacement every 50,000 miles or so. Those manufactured from tough materials like iridium won’t need replacing until 150000 miles.
Fuel filter
As we mentioned before, fuel is an essential component of the car. If this goes wrong, the car will malfunction. If a car dies while driving, check the fuel filter for contamination. There are so many contaminants as well as impurities in the fuel. All this must be cleansed before the fuel is burned so that the gases released are the least harmful we can imagine. These impurities can also cause the filter to be clogged, thus not letting the fuel through properly, reducing efficiency automatically.
Fuel Injector
This small device is responsible for big changes to the car. It provides fuel to the cylinder and through the filter so the car can start. If this is compromised, the car won’t start. Check the injectors for a possible diagnosis of your problem too.
If you noticed the car died while driving, the issue is most certainly the injectors.
Alternator
This device is responsible for transporting electricity to the rest of the car. It recharges the battery as well. So if this component is amiss or malfunctioning, it could hamper the starting of your car. You can spot that the problem is the alternator if the interior lights suddenly dim or the battery has issues.
Fuel pump
The fuel pump is the generator of pressure that ensures the fuel circulation is optimum. The motor rotates and sends the fuel stream in the right direction. Every 100,000 miles, you’ll need to replace the pump. However, you’ll need to replace it immediately if it malfunctions before this. A bad fuel pump will cause your car to turn over but won’t start.
Not enough gas?
What if everything is fine, and it all just comes down to your forgetting to fill up the gas tank? It is a common event that happens to the best of us. And it could be why you’re turning the key but not moving the truck. Even if your fuel gauge shows plenty of gas, the tank could still be empty. It is because sometimes the fuel gauge meter breaks down and misleads us.
Grounds strap
It is a big black cable with almost all the car’s electrical devices running through it. It’s also called the ground wire or negative battery cable. If this has a malfunction, you’re looking at a breakdown of the entire car. Some signs that tell you the ground strap is malfunctioning are hard starts and electrical devices continuously fluctuating between on and off. The throttle has damaged cables, and a flickering dome light can also be seen if something is off with the ground strap.
Timing belt
It is a crucial but lesser-known element of the car. When this breaks, the cam and crankshaft cannot rotate and thus fail to turn on your engine. It’s usually a rubber strip but also sometimes comes as a timing chain. The job is to rotate at the right time when the engine demands it.
Key fob
In a push-start car, the issue can simply be the button. When the key fob battery is dead or has any other malfunction, it won’t signal the engine or spark plug to start up. A repair or replacement is needed since these cars cannot be started with a replacement key.
The best diagnostics tool
Modern problems have modern solutions. The good thing about lavish and innovative cars is that their breakdown solutions won’t be deadlocked. Rather you can buy some simple and cheap tools to diagnose the problem immediately. Keep these handy, and you’re always good to go.
Here’s the best scanner that we came across in our search.
Ancel AD310 Classic Enhanced Scanner
With more than 35000 purchases on Amazon alone, this is hard to beat diagnostic tool. As recommended by Scotty Kilmer, it deserves a space in your car boot due to its sheer ease of use and value for money. It needs no external battery or power. Just connect to your car via a Data link connector. The fault reader is fast and accurate, reading diagnostic trouble codes and other check engine light problems.
The make is sturdy with insulated cables to protect from wear and tear. Since it only weighs 12 ounces, you can easily carry it anywhere without a fuss.
| Name | AD310 Classic Enhanced Universal OBD II Scanner |
| Brand | ANCEL |
| Features | Sturdy & compact |
| Power Source | Battery Powered |
| Screen Size | 1.4 Inches |
Pros
- The price is really good.
- ANCEL’s a trusted brand.
- It’s good for the price.
Cons
- We had some issues with the live data graphs menu.
[amazon box=”B01G5EA74I” title=”ANCEL AD310″ description=”It’s a great device.”]
It overheated & won’t turn over – what do I do?
There are some solutions to prevent this from happening. You need something to keep your car cool even in frigid conditions. Friction is kept at a minimum when the moving parts of an engine don’t touch as much. Thus, energy is preserved, and the car doesn’t overheat. A lubricant can help with this.
Valvoline Extended Protection Motor Oil
This super tough Motor oil was designed considering the harsh conditions a car must withstand in all types of temperatures and terrains. That is why it is now 10 times stronger against oil breakdown and 50% more effective than its competitors. The dual defense additive technology is what gives it its edge.
Wear, friction, heat, and deposits are kept at bay. You’ll certainly thank us for reincarnating your engine.
Pros
- Value for money
- Reliable as it is a 150-year-old brand
- Good performance and protection
Cons
- Oil for diesel engines lesser known
- High-temperature performance seen better in other brands
- Lasts shorter than its competitors
[amazon box=”B08YRZ6JVS” title=”Valvoline Extended Protection Full Synthetic Motor Oil ” description=”Here’s some good oil.”]
