Your Car Won't Start
Posted on January 28, 2020
There is nothing worse than getting in your vehicle and discovering it won't start. You turn the key or push the button a few times and you either hear clicking or nothing at all. Thankfully, the service experts at North York Chrysler can help you diagnose this common problem. When our own mechanics and specialists face this difficulty, they turn to a simple but effective four-step procedure to identify the most likely problem. Often, if you follow these steps, you will be able to get your car, truck, or SUV started on your own. If not, the results will help the North York Chrysler Service Centre quickly diagnose why your Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, and FIAT won't turn over. Let's take a look at each step and see if we can't get you back on the road as soon as possible.
Step #1: Is your vehicle in another gear besides PARK? Are you forgetting to depress the clutch pedal with manual transmission?
Life is complex, but sometimes the answers to our problems are actually quite simple. Because modern safety interlocks are designed to make starting impossible if your automatic transmission is in any gear except PARK or NEUTRAL or if your clutch pedal isn't depressed (if manual transmission equipped) it is the first thing you should check. Don't feel bad, even the most experienced service expert at North York Chrysler has made this mistake at least once.
Step #2: Turn the ignition to ACCESSORIES. Does the fuel pointer show empty?
If your lights (internal and external) and wipers are working at full power, the odds are good that you might be out of gas. Again, this is a more common problem, even with experts, than you might believe. We suggest always carrying an approved gas container. If your lights and wipers do not work, skip ahead to Step #4. If the lights are dim, or if the windshield wipers are slow, go to Step #3.
When you turn the ignition, does your engine make a clicking sound?
If you've ever faced this problem, you know how horrible this sound can be. It is usually an indication that you have a problem with the battery. If you have jumper cables, another car, and you know how to safely use them, it is the quickest option. It may allow you to start your vehicle and get it to a certified Service Centre like the one at North York Chrysler.
If jumper cables don't work, then you might be looking at a poor battery connection. Refer to your Owner's Manual for specific, step-by-step directions for your vehicle. You will definitely want to have a service expert load test and charge your battery.
Step #4: When you turn the ignition, are there no sounds?
If you get nothing at all, no lights, wipers, or even the telltale clicking, it is time to visit a service specialist, like the ones at North York Chrysler. The problem could be a faulty battery connection, a dead battery, or something much more complex. As a general guideline, you should replace your battery every three years.
If you follow these four steps, we think you will be able to find the underlying cause of why your vehicle is not starting. While there is no guaranteed way to avoid these problem sometime during the lifetime of your vehicle, keeping it properly and professional maintained will help. The Service Centre and Mopar Express Lane at North York Chrysler can help keep your Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, and FIAT is top shape. Please contact North York Chrysler to learn more about all our service and part capabilities.
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