You are likely thinking your vehicle has a serious problem if it’s unable to start, but the dashboard lights illuminate. Merely because the car’s electrical functions appear to be operational on some level does not mean that the issue is fully diagnosed.
The cause can be the transmission or some engine problem; completely disconnect from any lighting components. Let’s examine the primary reasons why your car won’t start while the car lights are turned on.
If your car’s electronics turn on but the engine doesn’t, there could be a few underlying issues at play, one of which may be a faulty battery.
The reason the radio, along with the dashboard warning and other headlamps, can receive power even when the car is unable to start stems from the amount of power each device requires and the available power in the unit, acting as a blockade to the engine, preventing it from starting.
Bad Battery
In cases of cars not starting, the most probable reason is the battery being faulty or dead. Most cars indeed run on gasoline, but they also work on electricity. The cranking that happens in the engine’s starter happens with an electric signal triggering it.
In situations where the battery has an issue, turning the engine will not be possible. Mild problems with the battery can be a reason, but checking whether the engine tries to turn over is a great starting point.
This means the battery is dead. A mechanic is not always necessary. A dead battery is usually uncomplicated to deal with if the proper tools, such as jumper cables, a spare battery, or jumper cables, are handy.
Still, a jump-start can also be considered a quick fix, and there’s no way to go around the fact that they’re costly, so it’s in your best interest to keep your battery in tip-top condition.
Symptoms of a Bad Battery
A battery with issues will have noticeable signs. Look out for these when the vehicle is difficult to turn on or inconsistent, or there’s no noise and light from the starter when the key is turned.
- The dashboard and interior lights are faint.
- The windshield wipers move slowly or do not move at all.
- The electric windows take time to fully open or shut.
- The battery and/or its cables are worn.
- The radio is unable to turn on.
- The battery is swollen.
If your car has sluggish engine cranking and no interior lights or sounds when attempting ignition, your vehicle starts roughly twice in an unreliable manner, turns on with jumper cables, but fails when the ignition is switched off, you may have a faulty battery.
Loose connections also lead to problems with starting the car. Additionally, issues with starting the vehicle may arise from faulty connections.
Bad alternator
A drained battery results from a faulty alternator. The car’s alternator is responsible for recharging the battery, as well as maintaining power to the car’s electrical systems installed after starting the engine.
While a bad alternator does not necessitate the presence of a faulty battery, it’s almost guaranteed that there will be no functioning one. It is important to note that any failing alternator needs replacement, so keep an eye out for the symptoms of a bad alternator.
How to Tell if Your Alternator is the Problem
Knowing whether or not your alternator is creating electricity without specialized tools can be hard, but there are telltale signs to look out for:
- Unusual difficulty in starting your vehicle
- Frequent stalling of the vehicle after starting
- Loud squealing noise from the engine, which gets louder when the heater or sound system is in use (could be the alternator bearings)
- Interior and exterior headlights flickering
- Warning signs such as the check engine light on the dashboard or the battery indicator light
- The vehicle dies immediately after jump-starting the car
A few easy steps can help you determine if your alternator is bad. First, try and start your vehicle. Second, turn on the radio and switch to AM mode with the dial on a low number. Third, try and rev the vehicle. If the sound gets fuzzy or you hear a whine, your alternator is more than likely failing.
Bad Fuses, Fusible Links, and Ignition Switch
Again, if the battery’s status is ‘OK’ and power isn’t ‘off’ altogether, it might be worthwhile exploring whether the car has a blown fuse or a fusible link.
Don’t forget to consult the manual for the steps on the car’s fuse infrastructure and see whether the fuse or metal strip/ wire is intact.
In case of damage or complete disconnection of the wire inside the plastic, a blown fuse may indeed prevent the power from getting to the starter relay.
In case you removed the fuse and checked it, and the conclusion is that the fuse is ok, then the actual issue is no doubt within the car’s ignition switch, which has failed.
Surprisingly, the ignition does not refer to the actual piece of hardware – the cylinder where the key goes when starting the car. Rather, it refers to the electrical slot which gets activated with the key when it’s turned and placed inside the ignition.
There are instances where an ignition switch can only supply power to the interior electrical components of the car and completely bypass the starter motor that starts the engine.
These are the main indicators linked to a malfunctioning ignition switch or a bad ignition.
One indication is that the vehicle may stall during movement, which signifies cutting off power to the fuel systems, resulting in the engine stalling.
The second indicator stems from the fact that an ignition switch failure could potentially keep the ignition switch in the “on” position, thus enabling the fuel pump and ignition system to draw constant power when cranking position, which may cause sensor overload. Additionally, failure in the “on” position means power shutdown.
In addition to the potential failing signs stated above, another indication that an ignition switch has failed is the difficulty encountered when trying to turn on the vehicle’s accessories. If the key is inserted and turned to the on position but the accessories do not activate, it indicates problems with ignition, fuses, and wiring.
Now that you have the indicators of a faulty ignition switch, consider how this issue would make you think about where else to look for faults when the car fails to start, yet the lights come on.
Unfortunately, assessing and fixing a faulty ignition switch is a little more involved than simply looking for a burnt-out fuse.
A reliable way to confirm that the issue is indeed an ignition switch problem is to check whether the vehicle’s instrument panel and dashboard lights switch on when the key ignition is turned. If they do not turn on, the issue is most likely an ignition switch problem.
In the case of cars with manual transmissions, a problematic or broken clutch pedal sensor may also enable the lights to turn on, but prevent the engine from starting.
Bad Starter
If your car won’t turn over but your lights come on, the issue may also be the starter not functioning properly. The starter of an automobile is an electric motor that cranks the engine so the car’s ignition can take place.
As for the rest of the components, the starter assembly includes the motor, the solenoid that sends battery power to the motor, and the flywheel.
For an automobile to get started, the engine needs to be supplied with high current. This ensures that the engine has enough power to start properly. Most of the time, when the car does not start, the battery is charged, and the issue lies within the starter motor.
There are a few telltale signs that show you are having starting problems that likely stem from the starter, what it means when your car won’t start, or why your lights are on but the engine does not start.
First, the scenario where the starter recharges but the automobile refuses to rev up is most often the outcome of a battery failure. This failure can happen due to numerous reasons, such as a left-on appliance draining the battery, lack of clean connections, or broken battery joints. Other inconsistencies that can also lead to the malfunction of the starter are damaged batteries or corroded control terminals.
Another scenario that can lead to starter dysfunction is having a partially engaged ignition key. This allows for a situation where the lights go on but the car does not turn over. This is indicative of a faulty ignition switch, therefore, preventing the required action from taking place over energizing the solenoid.
Moreover, the car can begin functioning when placed in neutral, but completely refuses to do so in park. The usual mechanism preventing the car from functioning in neutral or park is the neutral safety switch, but its presence in this instance implies a dysfunctional one.
In conclusion, another symptom that suggests a problem with the starter in your car is that the lights dim when the car is being started. If you are testing the battery, confirm that the problem is not the car starter control circuit.
This is possible because of the starter relay, the ignition switch, or the neutral safety switch. Any of these reasons can damage the starter and make it impossible for the car to turn over, but allowing the lights to switch on.
In case you diagnose your car starter as the reason your vehicle does not turn over, but the lights come on, there is likely a need for a starter replacement in your car.
If you don’t know what needs to be done, a mechanic can take care of it. But, if you have the right equipment and knowledge, you can save a bit of cash by replacing the starter yourself.
Firstly, turn the ignition to “off,” followed by loosening the negative terminal cable from the battery. Next, take off the positive cable, which is the larger of the two that leads to the battery.
After taking off the cable, take off the bolts that attach the starter to the block. When you have removed the starter, then remove the remaining supporting brackets that hold the starter in position.
So, take off the bolts that attach the starter using grease to loosen the stubborn bolts.
Now, take the starter off the vehicle. Put the new starter on the block and fasten it using the bolts while rejoining the battery cable to the starter. Thereafter, turn the bolts on the starter, reconnect the negative cable, and disconnect the cable.
Engine Cranks but Won’t Start
Low Compression
For the engine to operate independently, four crucial components are required: air, fuel, compression, and spark. If an engine has low compression, it will be very hard and in some cases not at all possible to start. This indicates that the engine’s gaskets and seals are likely leaking.
For an engine to perform optimally, it has to withstand immense pressure, and for that, components such as valve seals or piston rings need replacing.
Clogged Fuel Injectors
If the car begins to crank when you turn the key but the engine does not start, it may be that the fuel is not reaching the engine.
The sole possible explanation could be the dirty fuel injectors. The nozzles of the fuel injectors may be blocked with corrosion, rust, or other debris. Abrasive materials could impede the fuel injector nozzles, and the fuel injectors would not put the correct fuel into the cylinders, so the car may not function or start at all.
Ensure to maintain your fuel injectors by upholding them and adding only quality gasoline to the tank. Unbranded or lesser-known sources of gasoline that have been improperly stored or transported are prone to containing abrasive materials that could travel through the fuel lines into the injectors, destroying them.
Bad Fuel Pump
A bad fuel pump is another possible reason for the fuel not reaching the engine. There isn’t much reason to worry about fuel injectors being the problem because most gasoline from chain service stations is sufficiently clean and well stored, though a bad fuel pump is more likely.
Your vehicle’s fuel pump is in charge of transferring gasoline from the tank to the engine. If it goes bad, the car won’t be able to run on its own. We will simply suggest replacing the pump.
Bad Spark Plugs
If a car’s engine has compression, but still does not start, the issue may be related to a bad spark plug. It is the job of the spark plugs to fire up the mixture of fuel and air present in the engine’s cylinders. A vehicle is driven around using the power produced by the explosion.
Spark plugs are designed to last 100,000 miles or beyond without the need for replacement. The engine can suffer from a heavy buildup of carbon, but in a variety of other areas as well.
Alternatively, if oil enters the engine, it can cover the spark plugs and render them inoperable. The source of the issue could be one of the parts that provide energy to the spark plugs, including the computer or the ignition coils.
Bad Crankshaft Position Sensor
Not only does the car’s engine need a spark to initiate combustion, but the spark also occurs at the exact moment. If it is too late, or too early, the air/fuel mixture will not combust fully, and there will be a loss of performance alongside failing to start the engine entirely.
A faulty crankshaft position sensor could be the culprit for inaccurate firing of your spark plugs. This sensor is responsible for relaying information regarding all the valves and pistons to the car’s computer, which comprises the engine’s components.
Using this data, the ECU is capable of determining the appropriate timing to ignite the spark. If the sensor is defective, the ECU will be unable to determine when to ignite the spark, and as a result, the engine will not start.