It is absolutely frustrating when you see your car doesn’t start after you just turned it off. Moreover, you simply can’t just overlook the reasons causing these issues.
So, why your car won’t start right after turning off?
This may happen for an empty gas tank or a clogged fuel filter. However, there could be more reasons, like a faulty starter, alternator, battery, and immobilizer.
Wiring issues and an overheated engine could also be responsible. That’s not all; an ignition switch, spark plug, or even a faulty timing belt could be the culprit too.
These are the main causes of this issue. However, you can solve these if you know the solutions.
So, binge on till the last for the dos!
11 Reasons for Your Car to Not Start after You Turn It off
You may assume several things when you come across this issue. However, you need to know the actual reasons behind this.
So, we have got here the main 11 reasons for this. Take a look now.
Empty Gas Tank
An empty gas tank is one of the most common reasons for your car not starting. This basically happens when there is very less fuel in the tank.
Note that your car tank has to have enough fuel to run your car. With less fuel, your engine may just start.
However, your car would only be able to run with that if your engine starts for a while.
Your engine needs a combination of spark, enough fuel, and compression if you want to run your car smoothly.
Some people think it’s okay to run one’s car with low fuel or until it finishes off. But this is a very wrong practice.
In fact, this can seriously deteriorate the overall performance of your car.
This is because your car’s fuel filter will be impacted due to this, along with the engine!
Solution
The solution is pretty simple, as you don’t have to do anything complicated. To get this resolved, you have to refuel your car’s tank.
Make sure you fill up the whole tank before rerunning your car. Once you refuel your car, let it rest for a while (10 to 12 minutes will be fine).
When you start your car again, try to go slow for the first few minutes. You can gradually increase the speed afterward.
Experts’ Note: You should always check your fuel signal. This means you must ensure your car’s fuel doesn’t go low.
Clogged Fuel Filter
A clogged fuel filter is another reason for your car not to start after turning off. This means your fuel filter has less space for its fuel to pass on.
As a result, your engine fails to work properly at times. Thus, you cannot start your car right if you turn it off.
This mainly happens when the dirt is clogged in your car’s pipeline with time. And this is nothing but a common thing for automobile users. Remember that it occurs mostly if you go for long rides very often.
Solution
You need to change the gasoline filter to get out of this issue. Remember that with a journey of around 20000 km, you must replace your old filter.
Or else the pipeline would start getting clogged with dirt. You may want to wash it off, but that may not be feasible.
Faulty Starter
The car’s starter enables the engine’s crankshaft to work when you ignite the engine. So, if it is faulty, you can’t start your car.
A faulty starter occurs due to gearing issues. This often occurs when a driver starts the car with its headlight turned on.
Rough usage of gears while shifting could also result in this issue.
Solution
If you can reach out to the car jack, try to hit the starter motor. Do it use the tire iron.
Sometimes electrical contacts might get caught and need to be knocked loose.
However, if this does not come in handy, you must take the next step. For a faulty starter, you mostly need help fixing the current one.
That means you have to get a new starter to normalize the processing of your car.
Faulty Alternator
A faulty alternator mainly converts chemical energy into electrical energy to replenish the battery. As a result, the car engine functions properly.
However, an alternator can also just mess up all these. If you have a faulty alternator in your car, it won’t start.
This happens due to a problematic generator that fails to charge the battery properly.
Moreover, faulty belts and pulleys might stop the generator from functioning properly. As a result, the alternator of your car becomes faulty!
Solution
For this, you should look at the belts and pulleys first. If you can fix that, go ahead. However, for deeper issues, you may need professional help.
Wiring Problems
A common problem for your car not starting is the wiring problem. This is basically a problem with the fuse box of your car.
The fuse box mainly malfunctions due to dirt clogs or insect interference. Often you may notice a nest of insects beneath the fuse box, resulting in issues starting the car.
Solution
Get to your fuse box and check if there is any build-up around that. There is a nest or dirt build-up there.
If you see anything like that, clean it off right away. However, ensure your car engine is turned off and carefully clean it.
Yet, if you see any wiring misarrangement, you may fix it. But if you don’t have the expertise, seek professional help.
Faulty Battery
People often forget to check the condition of the car’s battery. However, this is actually one of the most crucial things for maintenance.
A car may only partially stop running with a faulty battery. So, you need to address the symptoms of this.
One of the main symptoms is the car not starting right after turning off. This happens when there is a significant drop in electromagnetism, for which your car won’t start right after turning off.
Solution
For this, you may actually want to replace the battery. However, you should check your battery before you replace it.
Take an ammeter to see if your battery is actually bad or just having issues. Sometimes the battery is overheated, which needs to cool down.
However, if that’s not the case, replace it. Although many people do this in a garage, you can do it alone.
Just remove the battery and take it out. As the battery is heavy, you may want someone’s assistance for the moment.
Other than that, you can replace the old battery yourself.
Faulty Immobilizer
A car immobilizer basically prevents your car from getting started with a fake or inappropriate key. As a result, it is like a barricade to your car to get started.
If this is fixed, you may need to start your car even with the right key. This is nothing but an internal and mechanical issue with your car immobilizer.
Solution
Tap on the start button while pushing the fob against the start button. In case your model doesn’t have a start button, you may hold the key fob.
This key is around the ignition switch. You would also have to turn the key at the same time.
Overheated Engine
Although this is common today, it is not negligible. After a long journey, we noticed our engine was hot at times.
Due to this, the engine fails to start working properly right after that. This happens mainly when you run your car for a long time without a break.
As a result, you may see your car not starting after turning it off.
Solution
If your car’s engine is overheated, stop the car right away. Make sure you let your car rest for at least 30 minutes, if not more.
Open the bonnet of your car and let some air pass across and through it. Once you understand your car’s engine is cooled enough, you may start your car again.
One thing you must remember is to take breaks on a long journey. Remember that everything needs rest, whether it’s a human or a machine.
Ignition Switch
It is not always the battery or engine when your car doesn’t start. This can also be due to a faulty ignition switch.
Yes, a faulty ignition switch would let your car not start after you turn it off. An ignition switch may be faulty due to various reasons.
However, this mainly happens due to temperature imbalances, worn out, and broken springs.
Solution
If you have a faulty ignition switch, you can first assess the degree of the problem. See if it starts working after giving it a few tries.
Moreover, if you have a spare or imitable key, try working the switch. If you are lucky enough, you may see the switch rotates.
But, if that’s not the case, you would have to call a professional for this.
Timing Belt
A timing belt ensures the proper functioning of the camshaft with the crankshaft. If this is faulty, there would be no synchronization of the camshaft with the crankshaft.
As a result, your car would not start off. This mainly happens when there is oil and dirt clogged around it.
Moreover, insects or rats may also interfere with these functions at times.
Solution
The first thing you need to do is look for any dirt build-up or any insect interference. If you see any, make sure to clean it off.
However, you may have to oil the timing belt if everything runs smoothly. Yes, sometimes all a timing belt of your car may need is lubrication.
When you oil this, be very slow and steady to not spill over any around this.
Faulty Spark Plug
The spark plug in your car enables its combustion while starting the car. You can’t start your car if the spark plug is bad.
So, you may have a faulty spark plug due to it being overheated. This turns bad for a bad cooling system and improper ignitions like pre-ignition.
Solution
You actually can only do a little about a bad spark plug. Therefore, you would have to seek professional help for this.
So, these are the 11 main causes of your car not starting right after you turn it off!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth it to assess and fix the internal issues of one’s car?
It is not actually always possible to fix the internal issues of one’s car. If you have a good knowledge of automobiles, you may go to a certain extent. However, it is always better to hand over any internal issues to an expert.
Do I need to check my car’s battery at times?
Yes, you definitely have to check your car’s battery at times. However, you don’t have to do it weekly or monthly. Rather you can check your car’s battery after every 4 or 6 months. You may also check the battery after running for about 6000 miles.
How often do I clean the exhaust pipe of my car?
There is no hard and fast rule of how often you need to clean your car exhaust pipe. However, you better keep checking the pipe whenever you go on a long journey. Moreover, an expert recommends getting your car exhaust pipe at least once a year.
Why does the steering of my car vibrate at times?
The vibration of the car’s steering is not uncommon when it is mild. However, if the vibration is noticeable, there might be an issue. This mainly happens with a probable problem with the car’s engine. However, there may be some other internal issues too.
The Final Words
Now you know the reasons why your car won’t start right after turning off! We believe you will have no more confusion regarding this from now.
However, remember one thing about your automobile. If you come up with any kind of sudden little or noticeable issues, don’t overlook that.
You have to look at it in no time to get that fixed.
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