Car Won't Start? What to Check Before You Call a Tow

When a car won't start, the sound it makes tells you most of what you need to know. Rapid clicking usually means a weak or dead battery. A single click often points to the starter. Cranking normally but not firing points to fuel, spark or a security system issue. Complete silence usually means a dead battery or a bad connection.

Here is how to narrow it down safely, and when it's time to call for help. In Dallas, the most common culprit by far is a battery that summer heat has quietly worn out.

What the sound tells you

Safe checks you can do yourself

1. Make sure the car is in Park (or the clutch is fully pressed). A shifter that's not fully in Park is a classic no-start.
2. Check the key fob. A weak fob battery can stop push-button cars from starting. Many cars let you hold the fob against the start button as a backup; your manual shows where.
3. Turn on the headlights. Bright lights suggest the battery is OK and the problem is elsewhere. Dim or no lights point to the battery.
4. Look at the battery terminals for white or green corrosion or a loose clamp. Don't touch both terminals at once.
5. Check the fuel gauge. It sounds obvious, but gauges and sending units do fail.
6. Try a jump-start if you have cables or a jump pack and know how to do it safely. If it starts with a jump, have the battery and charging system tested soon.

Why batteries die so often in Dallas

Heat, not cold, is what wears batteries out. High under-hood temperatures speed up the chemistry inside, so batteries in Texas often last 3 to 4 years instead of 5 or more. The damage builds up over the summer, and the battery often finally gives out on the first cool morning in fall. If your battery is more than three years old, get it tested before it strands you.

When not to keep trying

• Don't keep cranking for more than about 10 seconds at a time. You can overheat the starter and drain what's left of the battery.
• Stop if you smell fuel, see smoke, or the temperature gauge was in the red before the car died.
• If you're stuck in a live traffic lane, turn on your hazards. On a freeway like 635 or I-35E, stay buckled inside the car if you can't get fully off the road; it's safer than standing near traffic. Call 911 first if you're in danger.

Need help now?

We offer 24/7 roadside help across Dallas, Garland, Mesquite, Richardson, Plano and Irving: jump-starts, battery replacement, lockouts, flat tires, fuel delivery and towing. Because we're a repair shop too, if the car needs more than a jump, it comes to our Floyd Circle shop and we diagnose it, usually the same day. Call (214) 597-4922.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my car click but not start?

Rapid clicking almost always means the battery doesn't have enough charge to turn the starter. A single click with bright dash lights points more to the starter or its relay.

My car cranks but won't start. What's wrong?

The engine is turning but not firing, so it's missing fuel, spark or permission to start from the anti-theft system. Common causes include a failed fuel pump, a bad crankshaft sensor, ignition problems or an unrecognized key.

How long do car batteries last in Texas?

Often 3 to 4 years, because heat speeds up battery wear. Have yours tested yearly after it turns two.

Can a bad alternator stop a car from starting?

Indirectly. A failing alternator stops charging the battery, so the car runs until the battery drains and then won't restart. If a jump-started car dies again soon after, test the alternator.