A dead battery, an alternator issue, or a bad starter are the three most frequent causes of a Mitsubishi Outlander not starting.
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Why would my car suddenly stop starting?
A fading or dead battery, frayed or corroded connecting cables, a defective alternator, or a problem with the starter are the common culprits when a vehicle won’t start. It can be challenging to tell whether a battery or alternator issue is at hand. Here’s how to determine who the culprit is.
Bad Battery Symptoms
Consider a failing battery, a loose or corroded connection, or an electrical draw if your car cranks slowly, starts inconsistently, is harder to start on chilly mornings, or doesn’t make any sound or light up the interior when you try to start it. A low battery with terminal corrosion that is obvious is likely damaged.
If a jumpstart is successful, a battery issue is present. However, you must also determine whether it is just nearing the end of its life or whether there are more serious problems. A malfunctioning alternator may be the cause of a dead or depleted battery. The additional pull from auxiliary lights, fuses, sound systems, alarms, and other devices may also be the cause.
Signs of a Bad Alternator
No-starting and difficult starting, dimmer lights, and issues with sound system output are a few of the things to watch out for. If your car starts, but then stalls while you’re driving, your alternator is definitely broken and your battery isn’t getting charged. Your alternator bearings may be the cause of an engine squealing sound that gets worse while drains like the heating or sound system are on.
Another red flag is revving the engine after setting the AM radio to a low number on the dial with no music. Your alternator is probably failing if you hear a whine or if the sound becomes distorted when you press the gas pedal.
Look for issues with the starter or other engine components if the car won’t crank or start but the headlights are still on.
When your car’s check-engine or battery indicator lights come on, it may be a sign that the alternator is malfunctioning or that there is a problem with the vehicle’s charging system. If your car starts running after receiving a jump start, it may also be a sign that the alternator isn’t working properly. It’s crucial to see a specialist about this so they can provide an accurate diagnosis.
What the Battery & Alternator Do
To start the car, a large electric charge from the battery flows through the starting mechanism and engages a few gears. As you drive, the alternator delivers current back to the battery to recharge it once the car is going. While you’re driving, it powers the electronics in your car and ensures that the battery receives the proper amount of charge.
If Your Car Won’t Start
If you don’t want to perform your own diagnostics, give your car a kickstart (to keep it running) and have a specialist examine the electrical system. It’s important to check the charging and starting systems.
Battery tests for typical wet-cell batteries should look at the fluid level, corrosion on the posts (the terminals labelled + and -), and clean cables with a tight connection.
It is best to perform an electronic battery test, which provides more details than a typical load test. It measures cold cranking amps and voltage (CCA). (At Les Schwab Tires, battery checks and charges are free.)
Additionally, the shop should examine the alternator’s voltage and current output and search for any indications of faulty diodes, the parts responsible for converting AC (alternating current) electrical current to DC (direct current). Ask if you need a higher-capacity alternator if it’s time to replace it and your car has been modified with power-hungry aftermarket items like a music system.
If the alternator is functioning properly, the starting and charging system’s other components will be the focus of the investigation.
Got a Bad Alternator?
Your battery may have suffered damage. The battery may have overheated as a result of overcharging because the alternator controls how much electric current is sent back to the battery during recharging. This can reduce its estimated lifespan and make it less dependable. If you are having alternator repairs done, inquire as to whether you require a replacement.
My car won’t start, although it has power. Why not?
When a new engine won’t start, the battery is typically at blame. However, a dead battery and an alternator are mostly out of the question if the car is still getting electricity. Some batteries could ship from the factory with a lesser charge retention capacity. This is a manufacturing flaw, and the warranty allows for a replacement.
However, it is simple to believe that the battery is in perfect condition if a car won’t start but still has power. It can be very deceiving, especially if the lights, horn, and other electrical components work well. This is because not all peripherals use the same amount of energy.
What might result in a no start circumstance?
Your engine may be having problems producing a spark, obtaining fuel, or establishing compression if it cranks but won’t start or operate. The most frequent causes are issues with the fuel system or ignition (for instance, a defective ignition coil) (for example, a clogged fuel filter). However, the problem could also be the result of a mechanical issue (such a leaky valve) or defective parts in other systems.
Why won’t my car start even though the battery is not dead?
Damaged or Broken Ignition If your headlights work but your car won’t start, your battery is charged but the starter or ignition isn’t working properly. A starting engine can be jumped using a charged battery if the starter or ignition is the issue.
How do you operate a Mitsubishi Outlander’s emergency key?
To use the emergency key, unlock it by sliding the FAST key’s back knob, then take it out of the FAST key. To lock and unlock the car doors, use the emergency key in the same way you would a regular key.
Why do the radio and lights in my car work but my car won’t start?
Your lights turn on, and the radio is functional, but your car won’t start, and there is no sound. This indicates a problem with the beginning ignition system since neither starter motor is receiving power.
This may specifically refer to the battery, starter solenoid, or ignition switch.
Starter Solenoid
Current flows through the coil when the starter’s electromagnet receives electricity from the battery. The solenoid was drawn to the magnetic field formed by this.
The circuit is finished by the solenoid, which is connected to the pinion gear and connects two terminals across it.
There won’t be a click, and the motor won’t be receiving any power if the starter solenoid is malfunctioning. As a result, there won’t be any sound at all.
Nothing, however, obstructs the battery’s electrical connection to the radio and lights. If you don’t hear a click but the radio and lights are working, the starter solenoid is most likely the issue.
Poor Electrical Connections
This issue might also be caused by subpar electrical terminals, grounds, and other connections. Of course, the circuits between the batteries and the electrical devices must be complete for the radio and lights to function. It is believed that the battery itself is in good condition.
The starter’s electrical connections and grounds may have become corroded, soiled, or loose. Both of them wouldn’t interrupt the circuits for the lights and radio, but they would obstruct the current flow and stop it from functioning.
You’ll feel at ease performing this repair yourself if you’ve already worked with starting motors. When you turn the key again, the car may start after cleaning or replacing the washers and inspecting the nearby wiring.
But it’s better to leave it to a pro if you’re not familiar with the starting. It’s fairly simple to unintentionally short circuit the motor when re-connecting it by accidently connecting a live wire to the metal housing.
Ignition Switch And Fuse
Your key closes the ignition switch when you turn it, completing the circuit needed to start the engine. Even if the battery is in good condition, the starter motor will never get electricity if this switch is damaged.
It might be challenging to replace the ignition switch on your own and typically requires removing a sizable portion of the dashboard trim. If you’ve ruled out all other possibilities, it’s generally best to have a technician change the part for you.
The ignition switch fuse might have blown as well. See if this particular fuse is still good by checking your supply of fuses.
Of course, you’ll need a new one if it blows. But keep in mind that it blew for whatever reason. In order to identify the underlying circuit issue, more diagnostic testing is required because something produced an electrical overload.
How can you figure out why a car won’t start?
On a Monday morning, you rush out the door and try to start your automobile but it won’t start. Surprise! It won’t turn on! Do you know how to diagnose the issue with your car pet? It will be challenging to fix it if you don’t know where to start.
Your car won’t start for a variety of reasons:
1) Does the engine turn over?
The engine’s ability to start should be your first priority. You can move on to the following step if you are aware that your engine is starting. Usually, when you turn the ignition, you can hear it from the sound of the starter. You may have a low voltage or starter issue if the automobile won’t crank when the ignition switch is turned to the start position.
Make sure the car battery is charged and in good functioning order if your engine won’t start. Either use a booster pack, or try to jump start the battery with one from another vehicle. If you have an additional car battery at home, you can also use that instead.
There is probably a problem with your starter or the electrics to it if the battery is sound and the jump start didn’t assist the engine crank.
Testing the starter’s wiring is the next step. Typically, a starter has two wires attached to it: a large b+ wire and a tiny wire.
Between the engine and the body, inspect the ground. To determine if it’s a poor ground, connect a jumper cable between the battery negative terminal and a good ground location on the engine.
When you turn the ignition switch to the starter position, see if you get 12V on the little wire. While doing it, keep your hands away from any moving parts!
If the ground is sound and both wires have 12 volts, there may be a starting issue or an amperage issue with the large wire. It’s uncommon for the substantial power cable to the starter to sustain damage, so you must load test the wire to confirm it is the root of the problem.
If you have performed a loading test and it came back OK and you crank the engine while getting 12V on the little cable, your starter is defective and needs to be replaced.
You need to check the ignition switch, starting relay, fuses, and the wirings between the ignition switch and the starter if you are not obtaining 12V on the small wire when the ignition switch is in the starter position.
2) Examine the RAM for error codes.
Use an OBD2 scanner to check the trouble code memory to see if there are any stored trouble codes if the car cranks but won’t start. You can skip over a lot of the troubleshooting procedures by reading the issue codes and going straight to the part for which you got the trouble code.
Most vehicles manufactured after 1998 have an OBD2 system, which makes reading trouble codes fairly simple. OBD2 codes contain information regarding the issue codes. If you drive an older American car, there’s a potential that your OBD1 codes can be read without a scanner.
3) Inspect the crankshaft and camshaft sensors.
The RPM signal from the crankshaft and camshaft sensors will be examined next. You can do this by looking for any RPM readings on the dashboard from your tachometer. Even better is to use an OBD2 scanner to measure the crankshaft RPM from the engine control unit. If there is a problem with the crankshaft or camshaft sensor, you will typically receive a fault code.
However, in most cases, you can only make corrections if you are getting any RPMs in the engine control unit and make sure there are no trouble codes stored. In more advanced troubleshooting, you can also check the signals from the crankshaft and camshaft sensors with an oscilloscope to see if the signal looks good or not.
4) Verify your fuel pressure.
It’s time to check for fuel pressure if the crankshaft and camshaft sensors appear to be functioning properly. Low fuel pressure can be caused by a damaged fuel pump, a clogged fuel filter, or a bad fuel pressure regulator, which may prevent your car from starting. Your automobile probably won’t start for a variety of reasons, including low fuel pressure.
If your car has a fuel pressure sensor, you may either check the fuel pressure with a fuel pressure gauge or with an OBD2 scanner. You will probably also receive a fault code indicating that the fuel pressure is low if it has a fuel pressure sensor. However, it’s wise to check it using a manual fuel pressure gauge just to be safe.
Check the wiring, relay, and fuse to the fuel pressure pump and see whether it is pumping any fuel if the fuel pressure is low. Replace the fuel pump if you can connect voltage to it but it won’t start. Replace the fuel filter and troubleshoot the fuel pressure regulator if the fuel pump is functioning properly.
5) Inspect the ignition coil’s spark.
Another typical issue when a car won’t start is spark. A faulty spark plug, ignition coil, or ignition cable could be to blame. You should always diagnose the crankshaft sensor first because the wirings may also point to the ignition coil or a crankshaft sensor that is not sending a signal.
By taking off the spark plug and cable/coil, you may inspect the spark. Remember to keep your hands away from the spark while testing for spark to avoid receiving a potentially harmful shock. Attach a cable between the plug and a reliable ground point.
6) Verify whether the injectors are opening.
The injectors not opening and injecting fuel into the engine is another frequent problem. In most circumstances, a blown fuse or damaged power line is to fault, but in rare instances, a defective engine control unit may also be to blame.
You can use a multimeter to test the voltage and determine whether the injectors are opening. The engine control unit’s ground signal and a 12+ power pin are typically the two pins that the injectors have. While cranking, make sure one of the cables has 12V, and use an LED light to see if you receive any ground signals. With an oscilloscope, the injectors should be subjected to more complex troubleshooting.
If you pay close attention, you may usually hear a little clicking sound made by the fuel injectors as they open. Have a friend start the engine to listen for injector clicks. The injectors shouldn’t be malfunctioning if they are clicking. If the car is injecting fuel, you may also check the spark plugs because they will be damp but not producing any sparks.
7) Verify the timing of the crankshaft and camshaft.
Your automobile might not want to start as a result of a damaged timing belt or chain, which can seriously harm the engine. Most engines include TDC markers that indicate where the camshaft and crankshaft should line up. These marks must be located online or in your car’s repair manual. The timing must then be verified to be accurate.
In almost all cars, broken valves are the result of a jumped timing belt or timing chain. Always perform a compression test to ensure that the compression is good and the valves are not bent if you think your chain or belt may have skipped.
8) Perform a compression/leakdown test.
Check compression and leak down through the piston rings as a last resort if fuel and ignition are working but the car still won’t start. To ensure that all of your cylinders are under the same pressure, you should do a compression test first. To find out what pressure the engine should have, consult the repair manual. Even though the pressure between the cylinders should be equal, worn engines may have a tiny drop in pressure.
A leak down test is designed to assist you in determining whether any pressure is passing through the piston rings all the way to the engine’s base. This might help you identify damaged pistons and piston rings.
Come to our repair shops in Hamilton if all of this is too much for you. Your car will be well-cared for by us.
Can’t start, but lights are functional?
The worst emotions are those you experience when your car won’t start. If you’ve ever experienced this, you undoubtedly figured the battery was to blame. But what does it imply if your lights and radio are functional but your car won’t start? To assist you in determining what might be wrong, we conducted considerable research.
Your automobile won’t start for a number of reasons, even while the radio and lights are on. They consist of:
- rusted or filthy battery terminals
- The starter isn’t working properly
- faulty ignition switch
- faulty spark plugs
To learn more about each of these reasons and solutions, keep reading. Some issues, like a filthy or dead battery, are simpler to fix than others, like a malfunctioning fuel pump or starter. We’ll make an effort to clarify what’s going on with your car so you can work with your mechanic to resolve the problem.
As always, the only goals of our posts are enjoyment and knowledge. We want to dissuade you from attempting to identify or repair auto issues on your own. Make careful to speak with a certified mechanic if your car is having issues.
What are the most typical issues in starting an engine?
The main cause of engines not starting is a dead battery. Drain is a frequent cause of battery failure. Typically, the battery in your automobile uses a small percentage of its capacity to start the engine before being recharged by the alternator as you drive. When a light or other electrical device is left on while the car is off, problems can occur since this can drain the battery and reduce the power available for a start-up. Other times, your battery may just stop working altogether, without any of the aforementioned problems.
If you try to start your automobile but it won’t go, you’ll know this is your issue.
Your engine is most likely having an electrical issue if it won’t even turn over. You can attempt jump starting your battery for a temporary cure, but true battery failure necessitates rapid replacement.