My Car Won't Start: What Should I Do?

Problem starting your car: what to do?

You turn the ignition key of your car, but nothing happens? The battery may be at fault. However, there are other essential parts of your car's electrical circuit. It is, therefore, necessary to assess the situation with precision before accusing your car battery!

How to check if the battery is at fault?

The engine does not only start thanks to the battery. It is assisted for this by the starter and the alternator. The latter generates alternating current in the electrical system and recharges your battery while riding, like a bicycle dynamo. It may be the cause of the problem when the car does not start.

To find out, we use a multimeter to check the intensity of the electrical voltage. Connected to the battery terminals with the engine pushed to the limit, it should indicate an electrical voltage below 14.7 volts. Beyond that, the alternator is at fault.

To test the starter, take the lowest voltage when it is running. If it is below 10 or 11 volts, the battery must be recharged for a long time and desulphated. It is then a question of eliminating the lead sulfate, which can oxidize the terminals which connect the electrodes, positive terminal + and negative terminal – of the battery. The simplest way, above all, is to rub these terminals with a wire brush or even to add a little grease to slow down the accumulation of lead sulfate.

How to know if its battery is really a HS?

Current automobile models are power-hungry. Suppose your car battery shows signs of weakness. In that case, it may be worn out by one of the very energy-intensive elements such as the alarm, car radio, ceiling light, or even by an electric cable in contact with the bodywork. 

The correct test consists of switching off all this equipment and, with the engine also off, disconnecting the negative terminal. Thanks to the connection of the ammeter to the battery, it is necessary to check that the voltage is close to zero and does not increase.

Other causes may justify the fact that the battery is low. It is sometimes a simple punctual discharge, an empty passage without consequence. This is particularly the case in winter when the temperature is below 10°C. This limited discharge time is sometimes also due to headlights remaining on or an incomplete recharge.

When you drive little, with frequent restarts, the battery is quickly exhausted but not fundamentally defective. If there are start-up problems when it's not too cold and you're driving a lot, there's probably no leakage current. However, your battery is dead. In such a case, changing the battery becomes inevitable.

Proper car maintenance

If your flat battery is more than five years old, you have to opt for a new battery because this part has a limited lifespan. 

However, it must be possible to be repaired on site: battery failure often occurs at home when leaving home in the morning. Therefore, it is better to let a professional control the situation unless you are an expert.

He has the right equipment to know how to detect the severity of the battery failure. He knows how to correctly interpret the symptom of the car's electrical circuit, regardless of the type of battery. To this end, our company offers serious and efficient repairs in Boston MA. Our services extend beyond battery issues. We intervene just as well for fuel shortages, towing to the garage, a puncture, or a transfer anywhere in Massachusetts.

Boston Towing Company has many years of experience. Dedicated to customers, our teams intervene as soon as possible to provide them with a tailor-made service. In addition, our company also emphasizes monitoring its services and supporting its customers throughout the process. Finally, our car battery breakdown service respects eco-environmental rules.