Those moments where you get in your car for work and your car doesn’t start can be frustrating.
You try to turn the key, but it doesn’t make that familiar sound, and your car just sits there like a lump. Then you notice the radio still comes on, even though the vehicle isn’t cranking. What’s going on?
Several reasons could be causing your car not to start, from something as simple as a corroded battery terminal to a fuel pump. Let’s look into the reasons this may be happening.
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When Your Car Won’t Start, but Radio and All the Lights Come On?
If all the lights still work along with the radio, and there is no clicking noise, you may be dealing with one or more faulty spark plugs. Spark plugs work by providing a spark to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the engine.
Spark plugs create the power spark that starts the engine. If the plugs are dirty or wet, they won’t work, and the car will not start.
If there is a problem with any plugs, it will cause your car not to start. Spark plugs need to be changed every 30,000 miles or so, and if they aren’t, it can create these types of issues.
If you have determined that it is not the spark plugs, the next possibility would be a problem with the fuel pump. The fuel pump can deliver fuel from the gas tank to the engine. If it does not work properly, your car will not start.
Why Won’t My Car Start but My Radio Work?
Here is a list of other possible causes your car won’t start even though the radio still works.
Battery Terminal Corrosion
Battery terminal corrosion is a common problem when your car won’t start. The terminal can become corroded due to a build-up of acid in the battery or from a dirty battery terminal.
To clean your battery terminal, use a wire brush to remove any corrosion and then apply a coating of petroleum jelly or spray it with WD-40.
Car Not Locked in Park
Another common problem is when the car isn’t locked in park. If the car is not properly locked into park, it won’t start. This is a safety mechanism to prevent the car from rolling forward or backward.
Dead Battery
Since the radio is still working, the battery has enough power to run the radio but not enough to power the engine.
Starter Problems
If the battery is good and the car is locked in park, the next step is to check the starter. If possible, you can try to start the car when someone pushes on the car. If it still doesn’t start, then it’s time to consult a mechanic.
Battery Cables
If the battery is in good condition and the starter is working, then the next step is to check the battery cables. The cables can become corroded or loose, which will prevent the car from starting. Unplug the cables and clean them with a wire brush to check them.
Ignition Switch
The ignition switch could also be a problem if the car won’t start. A sign of a faulty ignition switch is overheating. Another sign is the key getting stuck in the ignition or having trouble turning the key to the on position.
Fuel Filter
The fuel filter can also cause the car not to start. The filter can become clogged with dirt and debris, which will stop the fuel from getting to the engine.
What Should You Check For?
Here is a quick list of the things you should check when your car doesn’t start.
- Battery terminals for corrosion
- Vehicle is not locked in park correctly
- The battery is still charged
- Battery cables
- Starter
- Fuse box
- Fuel pump
- Fuel filter
- Ignition switch (use multimeter)
- Spark plugs (use multimeter)
What to Do When Your Car Won’t Start, but the Radio Works
When your car won’t start, but the radio still comes on, there are some things you can do to troubleshoot the problem.
Check Battery Terminals
First, check the battery terminals. Sometimes they are corroded and need to be cleaned with a wire brush.
Check Gear Shift
In some cases, the car may not be locked in park correctly. Putting it in neutral and back into park again may solve the problem. If it doesn’t start, then you’ll need to look into the other reasons your car isn’t starting.
Try Jump Starting
Next, check the battery to make sure it’s still charged by jumping it with a battery charger if you have one. If the battery is still good, then the next step is to check the starter.
Try Roll Starting
You can do this by trying to start the car when someone pushes on the gas for you if possible. If it still doesn’t start, then it’s time to consult a mechanic.
Check the Fuse Box
The next step is to check the fuse box. There may be a fuse that has blown, which will stop the car from starting. Replacing these fuses is an easy process that can fix the problem.
Check the Fuel Pump
When you turn the key to “run or on,” you should hear a buzzing sound that indicates the fuel pump is priming the injection system. If you don’t hear that sound, it could mean that the fuel pump is bad and needs to be replaced.
Check the Fuel Filter
To test the fuel filter, try starting the car with the filter removed. If it starts, then the filter needs to be replaced.
Check the Ignition Switch
If the car still doesn’t start, try testing with a multimeter. The multimeter will tell you if there is a possibility that the ignition switch is defective by ensuring the battery is not the problem.
Spark Plug Failure
To test for faulty spark plugs, remove the ignition wire from the spark plug to test for faultiness with a multimeter.
Set the multimeter to the Ohms position. Touch one meter lead to the terminal of the spark plug. Connect the other meter lead to the engine ground.
What About When the Car Won’t Start, Just Clicks, but the Radio Works
In most cases, if your car clicks, you may be dealing with a battery or alternator issue.
The easiest way to determine the difference between an alternator and battery issue is to start by jump-starting the vehicle.
If your engine starts and the car runs as normal and later doesn’t start again, it is more than likely a battery issue. If the car stalls after jump-starting and you notice the lights dimming, it is probably the alternator.
Is My Car Battery Dead If the Radio Still Works?
If your car won’t start, but the radio works, it doesn’t mean the battery is dead. While this could be the reason, there are other factors to consider.
Wrapping Up
Dealing with your car not starting while the radio still works happens to many individuals. The type of car that this is happening to can vary. The important thing is not to panic as there may be a simple solution to the issue where you can troubleshoot right then and there.
Then there is the prospect that a more severe problem will need to be fixed by a mechanic. Whatever the issue, rest assured that it can be solved
