Why won't my car start? Answers from Des Moines' best auto repair
You turned the key, got a click or nothing, and now your whole day is on hold.
You're right that it needs a real test. A dead battery, a bad starter and a failed alternator all look the same from the driver's seat.
Not safe to drive if you notice
- Battery light on while driving
- Fuel or burning smell
- Needs a jump again and again
Visit the shop
- 5875 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321
- Monday – Friday: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- 515-745-0934
Is it safe to drive when experiencing car won't start?
Usually no. A car that will not start cannot be driven, and one that starts only with a jump can leave you stranded again. Get it tested before you count on it.
Usually safe to drive
- The car started after a jump and the battery is several years old.
- Cranking is slow only on very cold mornings.
- Dash lights stay bright and the car starts on the next try.
- No warning lights stay on once the engine runs.
Not safe to drive
- The car will not start at all.
- It needs a jump again and again.
- The battery or charging light comes on while driving.
- You smell burning, fuel, or a rotten egg odor near the battery.
- The engine cranks normally but never fires.
Not safe to drive? Stop and call us now.
Pull over somewhere safe and call Joey's Auto Shop at 515-745-0934. We'll help you figure out your next step.
Why a car won't start
The sound the car makes points to the cause: rapid clicking, one click, slow cranking, or cranking with no start.
Aging battery
Rapid clicking, dim dash lights, or slow cranking usually mean a weak battery. Iowa winters cut battery power and make this more common.
You need Battery ReplacementAlternator not charging
If the alternator is not recharging the battery, the battery keeps going dead.
You need Alternator RepairStarter or wiring
One loud click, then nothing, often points to the starter or its wiring. Corroded cables cause similar trouble.
You need Auto Electrical ServiceFailing fuel pump
If the engine cranks normally but will not fire, it may not be getting fuel.
You need Fuel Pump RepairIgnition system problems
Normal cranking with no start can also mean the engine is not getting spark, or a sensor has failed.
You need Fuel and Ignition System
What you can check first
A few things you can notice before you call:
Listen for rapid clicking, one click, slow cranking, or normal cranking.
Check whether the dash lights are bright, dim, or off.
Note whether the battery or charging light came on recently.
Remember whether it has needed a jump before.
Check that the car is in park, or neutral for a manual.
Ready for a car that starts every time again?
Call Joey's Auto Shop, a Des Moines People's Choice Winner 2022 through 2026, or make an appointment and tell us what's going on.
We find the cause, not only the symptom
The fix can be a battery, an alternator, a starter, or a fuel or ignition part. The shop tests first, so a new battery is not put on top of a charging problem.
- Step 1
We test
The shop load tests the battery, checks the alternator's output, and tests the starter, cables, and grounds.
- Step 2
We show you
You get a digital inspection with photos and notes in plain language, so you see what we see.
- Step 3
You decide
Nothing starts until you approve it, and we confirm the fix before you pick up your car.
Why is a jump start not a fix?
A jump gets the engine running, but it does not tell you why the battery was dead. The battery may simply be old, or something may be draining it or failing to charge it. Replacing the battery without checking the charging system can leave you stranded again. A battery load test and an alternator output check show which one is the problem.
What does rapid clicking mean when I turn the key?
Rapid clicking, often with dim dash lights, usually means the battery is weak or dead, or the battery connection is poor. There is enough power to click the starter but not enough to turn the engine. One loud click and then nothing is different. That pattern more often points to the starter or its wiring.
Why do car batteries fail more in winter?
Cold cuts the power a battery can deliver, and a cold engine takes more power to turn over. A battery near the end of its life may still start the car in summer, then give slow, labored cranking on the first cold Iowa morning. Slow cranking in the cold is a warning that the battery may not last much longer.
What does it mean if the engine cranks but won't start?
If the engine turns over at normal speed but never fires, the battery and starter are doing their job. The engine is missing fuel or spark. That can mean a failing fuel pump, an ignition problem, or a failed sensor. Repeated cranking will not fix it and can drain the battery, so it is best to get it tested.
Other symptoms we can help with
See All Symptoms
Rough Idle or Stalling
A shaky idle, hesitation when you press the gas, or an engine that dies at stops usually traces back to fuel, air, or spark.
Learn More
A/C Blowing Warm Air
Your air conditioning runs but the air is warm, weak, or only cool some of the time.
Learn More
Won't start?Let's get it running again.
Make an appointment and tell us what's going on. We explain your options before any work begins.