We rely on our cars to get us to work, to school, and back home again. And we often take it for granted that they’ll always work for us. But sometimes your car simply won’t start.
Sometimes it may be an electrical problem, as we explored last week. But a problem with your fuel system or another mechanical problem could also cause your car not to start.
Fuel System Problems
If your engine can’t get any fuel, it won’t be able to keep going. So the engine may seem to turn over, only to sputter out. Or it may not even have enough fuel to turn over.
- Clogged fuel filter: The fuel filter removes impurities from gasoline before the gas enters your engine, where dirt and other particles can damage the pistons and other mechanical parts. You should have your mechanic replace it every 12,000 miles, because eventually it gets clogged. Once fuel can’t get through the filter anymore, the engine won’t have what it needs to start and keep going.
- Fuel pump failure: The fuel pump and relay system move gasoline from the tank to the engine. Testing the pump requires specialized equipment, so it’s best to leave this task to Sandalwood Car Care. First your mechanic will check the current to make sure that the fuel relay is getting proper power. Then he’ll check the fuse. If both of these check out, the problem is generally the fuel pump relay, rather than the pump itself.
- Bad connection in the fuel injection system: Every component of the fuel injection system has its own electrical connection. Over time, the connections can get loose, or the parts themselves may deteriorate. Your mechanic can check all these connections to determine whether any connections are loose or require replacement.
Other Mechanical Issues
A host of other mechanical problems can keep your car from starting. If electrical or fuel system problems aren’t to blame, one of these problems may be present:
- Loose starter bolts
- Faulty cold-start valve
- Chipped ring gear or flywheel
- Bad injectors
- Bad central computer system (MAF/ECU)
- Faulty ignition coil or misfiring coil wire
- Faulty distributor cap (especially in wet weather)
If your car won’t start properly, call the reliable, experienced team here at Sandalwood Car Care. We’re proud to serve the Jacksonville area.
