Why Does My Car Not Start Though The Lights Come On?

Nov 14

19:43

2020

5amily Ltd

Many worst-case scenarios come to mind when you turn the key in the ignition of your car but it does not start though the lights come on. From the lights turning on, you know the fact that the electrical components of your car are partially working, but there are still many things that are wrong with your car. Many systems within your car work independently from the lighting systems such as the transmission, engine, etc.

There is no “right time” for a car to give up on its owner. So, we’ll go through certain reasons that usually stop your vehicle’s engine from turning over.

If the lights work fine and the radio is playing but the car does not start, there could be multiple factors at play. One of the most common problems is a dead battery. If you ask why all the other electrical components such as lights, radio, etc., are working when the battery does not have enough power, the answer is each component requires a different current amount or maybe something is interrupting the current path towards them. In this case, the current may not be able to reach the engine, thus, preventing it from turning over.

Here is the rundown of probable reasons:

Battery

One of the main culprits that stop your engine from turning over is a dead or dying battery. Some of the electrical parts require a very low charge, or amperage, usually not more than 20-30 amps, That’s why they can work just fine on a dying or almost dead battery.

Contrary to this, engine starters, which make the engine turn over, require around 300 amps at once. This demands much more energy than a couple of lights and a radio.

While using a hydrometer to test the charge, if the battery tests low or if it’s too weak to pass the load test, it all indicates to the fact that your battery needs to be recharged to run the engine properly. If you jump the battery from another battery and the engine starts working, it means there is not a problem anymore because the issue is resolved.

If jumping your battery does not work, then it could be a malfunctioning blown fuse, a broken ignition switch, or a problematic starter.

Lucky for you, you can easily determine whether your vehicle has blown the fuse. Finding a blown fuse is one of the primary steps to figure out the problem in your vehicle’s system that halts the engine from starting. A blown fuse is a delicate piece of machinery and will likely blow after a small period.

Certain indications point to a blown fuse which includes accessories losing power, the circuits start to overload, or the fuse will appear broken or disconnected. This stops the engine from starting but the light of your vehicle will come on.

If the battery is not working or if it is dead, you need to replace or repair the battery. Depending on your budget, cause of the problem, and the condition of your battery, you need to decide which one os the best way to move forward- replacement or repair. For many car-owners, it’s not a good deal to buy a car with a dead battery.

Fuses, Fusible Links, & Ignition Switch

If the battery of your vehicle is not too hammered down and still have some power in it, it’s time to check for a blown fuse or a fusible link. Consult with your car’s manual to find the exact location of the fuse box and then look for damaged metal wire or fuse. A blown fuse can prevent power from reaching the starter delay if the metal wire in the plastic is damaged or completely disconnected.

If the fuse and the fusible links are fine and have passed the test, next comes the real problem- the ignition switch of your car. The popular belief that an ignition switch is that piece of mechanical hardware where your car keys go in and turn. In reality, it’s the electrical switch inside that the car key touches and activates when the mechanical component is inserted into the ignition inlet. In many cases, an ignition switch only provides power to the electrical components like the headlights, radio, etc., but not the engine starter.

If The Engine Cranks, But Your Car Won’t Start

Another test to check the integrity of your car’s components is to check if the engine is cranking or not. It is cranking but still unable to start, it means that the electrical systems are fine.

Certain things need to be working properly for a car to start: air, fuel, and compression.

Fuel

There are solutions if you think the problem with your vehicle is related to its fuel. If the temperature is low and cold enough, there are fair chances that the fuel line may have frozen which prevents the fuel from circulating. Professional assistance is needed to thaw the fuel line.