It’s a situation that every car owner dreads: you need to get somewhere urgently, you put the key in the ignition, turn it, and nothing happens. Well, not exactly nothing – the lights, radio, and other electrical components come on, but the engine won’t start. You’re left scratching your head, wondering what could be wrong. Don’t worry, there are some simple steps you can take to solve the problem “Car Won’t Jump Start But Lights Come On“.
Causes of Car Won’t jump Start But Lights come on
Broken or Damaged Ignition
The ignition coil is responsible for generating the electrical charge needed to power the spark plugs, which ignite the fuel in the engine. If the ignition coil is damaged, it won’t be able to generate the necessary charge, and the engine won’t start. A damaged ignition coil could be caused by wear and tear, a manufacturing defect, or an electrical issue.
Dying Battery
A dying battery can prevent your car from starting despite having functional lights. This happens when the battery does not have enough charge to provide the necessary power to turn on the starter motor. This issue can be resolved by jump-starting your battery or replacing it with a new one.
Bad Starter
A bad starter is one of the most common reasons why a car fails to start. The starter is responsible for turning the engine on when the ignition key is turned. A malfunctioning starter can produce a clicking sound and may require replacement.
Blown Fuse
If the lights are on but the car won’t start, a blown fuse may be the culprit. A blown fuse can break the circuit, preventing the starter from receiving electrical power. Replacing the blown fuse should resolve the issue.
Failed Ignition Switch
A failed ignition switch can prevent the car from starting. Symptoms of a failed ignition switch include lights turning on but the engine failing to start. A professional will need to replace the ignition switch to fix the issue.
Bad Spark Plugs
Bad spark plugs can also prevent the car from starting. Spark plugs provide the spark in the combustion chamber that ignites the fuel and air mixture. If the spark plugs are worn or dirty, they may not deliver the necessary spark. Replacing the spark plugs and wires may resolve the issue.
Defective Fuel Pump
A defective fuel pump can prevent fuel from being delivered to the engine, resulting in the car failing to start. Issues with the fuel pump can be diagnosed through a fuel pressure test. Replacing the fuel pump may be necessary to fix the issue.
Out of Gas
It may seem obvious, but running out of gas can prevent your car from starting. If your car suddenly stops running and you have run out of gas, adding fuel may be all that is necessary to get your car started.
How to Fix Car That Won’t Start
Test/Replace Battery
Testing a car battery:
- Turn off car engine and all lights and accessories.
- Set the multimeter to DC volts and touch the terminals of the battery with the probes, red to positive and black to negative.
- A reading of at least 12.6 volts means your battery is in good condition. If the reading is below 12.4 volts, your battery might need to be charged.
- Check the battery’s water level and make sure it’s topped off with distilled water before charging.
Replacing a car battery:
- Turn off car engine and all lights and accessories.
- Locate the battery, which is typically found under the hood.
- Remove the negative terminal first (usually black) with a wrench.
- Remove the positive terminal (usually red) with a wrench.
- Remove any brackets holding the battery in place.
- Lift the old battery out and replace it with a new one.
- Fix the brackets back in place and connect the positive terminal (red) first.
- Connect the negative terminal (black) last
Replace Starter
Here’s how to replace a starter:
- Turn off the car engine and all accessories.
- Locate the starter, which is typically found on the underside of the engine.
- Disconnect the negative cable from the battery using a wrench to prevent any accidental jolts of electricity
- Using a socket wrench, remove the two mounting bolts that hold the starter in place.
- Detach the electrical wires that are connected to the starter, including the wires for the ground, and carefully note which wires go where.
- Loosen and remove any brackets or clips that hold the starter in place.
- Carefully slide the starter out of the engine, and replace it with a new one.
- Reattach all the mounting bolts, electrical connections and any brackets or clips.
- Reconnect the negative battery cable.
Put in Good Fuse
If your car won’t start, there could be a short circuit or blown fuse preventing electricity from reaching the car’s ignition system. If the fuse is blown, it must be replaced promptly. Here are the steps to replace a blown fuse:
- Turn off your car’s engine and all accessories.
- Locate the fuse box, which is typically found under the dashboard.
- Find the fuse that corresponds to the ignition system and check it for damage.
- If the fuse is blown, remove it using pliers and replace it with a new one.
- Make sure the new fuse matches the blown fuse in amperage and voltage.
- Turn on the car and check that all systems are now working properly.
Replace Ignition Switch
If your car won’t start, the ignition switch may be the culprit. The ignition switch sends power to various components such as the starter motor, fuel system, and dashboard controls. Replacing an ignition switch involves removing the old switch and installing a new one. Here’s how to replace an ignition switch:
- Turn off the car engine and all accessories.
- Remove the steering wheel cover and plastic cover around the steering column.
- Locate the ignition switch, which is usually located near the bottom of the steering column.
- Remove the old ignition switch by unplugging the electrical connections and unscrewing it from the steering column.
- Install the new ignition switch by screwing it into place and plugging in the electrical connections.
- Reinstall the steering wheel cover and plastic cover around the steering column.
- Turn on the car and make sure everything is working properly.
Perform a Tune-up
A tune-up is the process of performing maintenance to your car, giving it a fresh start. This can include replacing spark plugs, checking spark plug wires, cleaning or replacing air filters, checking fluids, and making sure the battery, alternator, and starter are in good condition. Here’s how to perform a tune-up:
- Make sure the car engine is off.
- Replace old spark plugs with new ones.
- Carefully remove spark plug wires, cleaning as needed, and replacing any damaged ones.
- Clean or replace the air filter.
- Check the level and condition of engine oil, transmission oil, and brake fluid.
- Inspect the battery terminals, wires, and replace if needed.
- Check the starter, alternator, and belts for wear and tear and replace if needed.
- Restart the car and check that everything is working properly.
Replace Fuel Pump
If your car won’t start, it could be due to a faulty fuel pump. The fuel pump is responsible for delivering fuel from the gas tank to the engine. Replacing a fuel pump can be a complicated process requiring some mechanical experience. Here’s how to replace a fuel pump:
- Relieve fuel pressure before starting the job.
- Disconnect the negative cable from the battery using a wrench to prevent any accidental jolts of electricity
- Locate the fuel pump, which is usually in the gas tank or sometimes in the engine bay.
- Detach the electrical connections and hoses from the fuel pump.
- Using a wrench, remove the straps or bolts that hold the fuel pump in place.
- Carefully pull the fuel pump out of the gas tank, being careful not to spill any fuel.
- Replace the old fuel pump with a new one, making sure it’s the same as the old one in terms of fit, size, and voltage.
- Reinstall the fuel pump and put the straps or bolts back into place.
- Reconnect the electrical connections and hoses back into their respective places.
- Reconnect the negative battery cable.
Add Fuel
If your car won’t start, it may be as simple as being out of gas. Add fuel to the car and try to start the engine again. Here’s how to add fuel:
- Turn off the car engine.
- Locate the fuel tank, which is usually found at the rear of the car.
- Open the fuel filler flap or lid.
- Insert the petrol nozzle into the fuel tank and fill it up.
- Remove the nozzle and close the flap or lid.
- Start the car engine and check to see if it starts properly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if your car won’t jump start but the lights come on, it’s likely a problem with the battery or the connections. With the help of some basic tools, a little know-how, and some patience, you can get your vehicle back on the road in no time. And if you’re not comfortable doing the troubleshooting yourself, don’t hesitate to call a professional mechanic who can do it for you. Remember, taking care of your car will ensure that it takes care of you in return!