What To Do When The Car Doesn't Start?

You just got done with a delicious dinner with friends at your favourite restaurant and are looking forward to a pleasant drive home only to realize that your car won't start. Unfortunately, nearly all car owners face this situation at least once. What's worse is that such incidents with the car only occur when you have an urgent errand or someplace special to go.
So, what do you do when the car doesn't start? If you are looking for an answer to the above question, you've come to the right place. This article will walk you through some fixes to the car starting problems. Hopefully, by the end of this article, your car will be up and running and ready to drive you to your destination!

If Car Clicks
If the car clicks when you start but the engine still won´t come to life, it might be due to dirty battery terminals or a weak battery. In any case, you can try these few things:
- Cycle the Key: One of the first things to do here is turn on the dome light and try to kickstart the engine simultaneously. If the dome light diminishes slowly, it might be due to a weak battery. To heat the terminals and the battery, try the essential cycling technique. This fundamental cycling trick involves repeatedly turning the key to the start position at least 10 times in a row. Wait for a couple of minutes, and then try to restart your vehicle.
- Tap on Battery Terminals: It is impossible to clean dirty battery terminals without tools. However, there is still a possibility to jar the terminals to make better contact. Tap each battery terminal with your show and slightly rotate them.

If There Is No Click
Suppose there is no car click when you turn the key; try moving the gear shifter. Keep your foot on the brake and move the gear lever to a neutral position. Simultaneously, try to start the engine. If this doesn't work, get it back to park position and give it another shot. Shifting the shifter sometimes re-establishes the electrical connection inside the transmission.
Engine Cranks But Doesn't Fire
Sometimes the engine cranks, but the car still doesn´t start. In such a situation, try performing the below tip:
- Swap Relays: Turn the key in the start position and wait for a two-second buzzing noise. This noise is the pump-priming of the injection mechanism. You have to find the fuel pump relay location and yank it. Then, locate the other relay with the same number and swap it with the fuel pump. Push it right into the socket and give the engine another try.
- Smack the Fuel Tank: Smacking the tank is one of the best tricks that works in such a situation. Smacking the tank will jar the fuel pump motor. After a few smacks, try starting the vehicle.

Were you able to fix your car starting problems with the help of our tips? We hope so! If these tips don´t do the trick, then you might require a professional to check your vehicle.
Trending News
Latest News
car&bike Team | Dec 14, 2025Top-Spec Tata Sierra Accomplished, Accomplished+ Prices RevealedRegardless of the powertrain combination chosen, all Tata Sierra Accomplished+ trims cost upwards of Rs 20 lakh (ex-showroom).2 mins read
car&bike Team | Dec 13, 2025Skoda Slavia Facelift Spied Testing Again Ahead Of DebutThe facelifted Slavia is expected to debut in 2026 as Skoda-VW India looks to refresh its India 2.0 range.1 min read
car&bike Team | Dec 13, 20252026 MG Hector Facelift Interior Previewed Ahead Of DebutLatest teaser video of the upcoming Hector facelift suggests minimal cosmetic changes to the interior as well as reveals a new alloy-wheel design.1 min read
Jaiveer Mehra | Dec 13, 2025Passenger Vehicle, Two-Wheeler Sales Surge In November 2025: SIAMBoth segments reported a growth in the region of 20 per cent, though year-to-date sales growth in FY2026 was notably flatter at around 3 per cent.1 min read
car&bike Team | Dec 12, 2025Nissan Entry MPV Design To Be Unveiled On December 18New MPV to be the first of three new models for India by Nissan, alongside the Tekton and a three-row SUV.1 min read
Jaiveer Mehra | Dec 12, 2025New Mini Convertible Launched At Rs 58.50 LakhDrop-top variant of the iconic Cooper hatchback available in a single Cooper S spec.1 min read
Janak Sorap | Dec 11, 2025Harley-Davidson X440 T First Ride Review: Smarter and SharperHarley-Davidson has taken the X440 and given it a more focused and engaging twist. The result is the X440 T—essentially the same platform but updated in areas that give the motorcycle more appeal and riders more thrill.5 mins read
Shams Raza Naqvi | Dec 10, 20252025 Mini Cooper Convertible Review: More Colour On Indian RoadsThe updated Mini Cooper Convertible is set to be launched in the Indian market in the next few days. We drive it around Jaisalmer for a quick review.1 min read
Bilal Firfiray | Dec 8, 2025Tata Sierra Review: India’s New Favourite?Marking its return after a few decades, the reborn Sierra has made everyone sit up and take notice. But is it worth the hype?10 mins read
Girish Karkera | Dec 4, 20252026 Honda Prelude First Drive: Domesticated Civic Type RA sporty-looking coupe built to give customers a taste of performance but not at the expense of everyday practicality.5 mins read
Seshan Vijayraghvan | Nov 29, 2025Mahindra XEV 9S First Drive Review: Big Electric SUV, Bigger ExpectationsThe XEV 9S lands at a time when the EV crowd is growing fast. It’s a big, born-electric, three-row SUV that starts under 20 lakh. It sits close to the XUV700 in size, but the brief is very different. Here’s what it’s like on the road.11 mins read



















































































































