Starter or car battery: how to diagnose a malfunction?

You have places to go and things to do, and car problems can prevent you from being where you want to be when you need to be there. If you've ever gotten up, had breakfast, and then headed to your car only to find that nothing happens when you turn the key, your whole day could be ruined.

You need to find out why your car won't start. Sometimes it's as simple as a dead car battery. Alternatively, it could be a starter. In rare cases, this can be a sign of a serious engine problem. How can you diagnose which part is faulty? There are some things you can try before consulting a mechanic.

Don't assume the worst

It's pretty obvious - if your car's engine won't start, try turning the key again. See what's happening on our dashboard. Look at your gauges. Maybe you just ran out of gas - it happens. If it doesn't, try starting the car again and listen to what happens. Does the engine seem to be trying to crank, or do you just hear a clicking or grinding sound? You may have a bad car starter or dirty spark plugs.

Bad car battery

People tend to assume that all of their car's components will work properly, but the fact is that the battery is the most likely to fail first. Check the battery terminals for corrosion. Clean them with a steel wool or wire brush, and then try starting the car again. If it still doesn't work, it could be the starter.

Bad starter

A bad starter actually sounds a lot like a dead battery - you turn the key and all you hear is a click. However, it may not be the entire starter - it may be a weak component known as a solenoid. This prevents the starter from producing the correct current to start your car.