Knowing what to do when your car doesn’t start can save you hours of fiddling around and ensure you don’t damage the vehicle in the process. Whether the issue is a car battery or something else, you still might need an auto mechanic to take a look. Here are some steps you can take to remedy the problem and when you should call a professional.

What Are Some Possible Causes the Car Won’t Start?

Misaligned Shifter

You should hear a click when turning the key. If you don’t, maneuvering the shifter can sometimes restore a lost electrical signal in your transmission, so switch to neutral and try turning the key again. 

Dirty Cables

One of the most frequent causes of a faulty starter is if the cables are dirty. Pop open the hood and look for any signs of corrosion on the starter cable. This can be dangerous to attempt to clean yourself, so it’s best to contact a professional.

Dead Battery

If you think your car battery might be dead, one option is to have someone help you jump-start your car. If you can’t find anyone, it’s best to have a pickup service take your vehicle to an auto mechanic to see if they can determine the issue.

When Should You Visit an Auto Repair Professional?

If none of these methods work, call a road assistance professional to tow your vehicle to a service station if there is a deeper problem. For drivers who aren’t experienced at looking under the hood of their vehicle, this may be the best option to avoid any injuries and the possibility that you’ll damage your vehicle by accident. 

Even if you can get the vehicle running again, it’s essential to visit an auto mechanic for a full inspection. Just because you got the car to turn over once does not mean that the initial problem has vanished. After the auto mechanic’s inspection is complete, you’ll gain peace of mind that this frustrating issue won’t occur again. 

If you ever have any difficulty starting your car, reach out to A-1 Auto A/C Specialist & General Auto Repair in Honolulu, HI. The licensed and insured auto mechanics will quickly get to the bottom of the issue, whether it’s a problem with the car battery or a faulty wire. You can contact the veterans by calling (808) 836-2939 or visiting their website.