When you rely on your vehicle every day, it can be stressful when it doesn’t start—and even more so when you don’t know why. While one of the most common reasons for this is a dead car battery, it’s not the only potential cause. The fault may also lie with your alternator. How can you tell? There are actually a few ways to troubleshoot the issue. It’s prudent to familiarize yourself with them, as it will help you know which action to take, not only to get your vehicle started back up once, but to keep it running reliably in the future.

How to Figure Out Why Your Car Won’t Start

1. Check the Car Battery Charge

Your first step is to rule out the possibility your battery is at fault. To find out, switch your key to “on” (without starting the car) and check the battery gauge: If it reads below 12 volts, its charge is low, and you’ll need a jump-start. If that doesn’t work, however, your car battery is completely dead.

2. Inspect Your Headlights

Even if your car battery is dead or dying, it is still possible a bad alternator is draining it too quickly. There is a simple way to know whether this is the case: If your headlights flicker while you attempt to start the vehicle (you may need a friend to check this for you), your alternator requires professional service. 

3. Listen for Growling Sounds

If you recall having heard growling sounds or other off-putting mechanical noises while driving or trying to start your vehicle, the cause of your trouble might be a failing alternator. These sounds may be accompanied by the sound of burning wires or the smell of burnt rubber.

If you need new car batteries or other parts, you’ll find them at United Auto Parts in Kahului, HI. They’re a certified NAPA Auto Parts dealer with access to a massive inventory, and they can easily special order items. For questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by calling (808) 871-6272. More information about their inventory is available online.