Help guide
Why won't my car start? Listen to what it does
Updated October 8, 2026
Most of the time it is the battery. But the sound your car makes when you turn the key tells you a lot, and it can save you from paying for the wrong fix.
Call (307) 365-2527Match the sound to the cause
| What happens when you turn the key | Most likely cause |
|---|---|
| Slow, tired cranking | A weak battery. Very common on cold mornings. |
| Fast clicking | A battery too weak to turn the engine. |
| One click, or nothing, but the dash and radio work | Could be the starter. |
| Cranks at normal speed but never catches | Often fuel. Check the gauge first. If the tank is dry, see fuel delivery. |
| Started with a jump, then died within 10 to 15 minutes | Likely the alternator. |
It is probably the battery if
- The engine has been slow to turn over for a few days
- You have needed a jump more than once lately
- There is white or green crust on the battery posts
- The battery is three to five years old. AAA says that is how long most of them last.
A jump start will get you going. Our guide shows how to jump start a car in the right order.
It may be the alternator if
The alternator charges the battery while you drive. When it fails, the car runs off the battery until the battery is empty.
- The car starts with a jump but dies again soon after
- The lights get dimmer or brighter as the engine speed changes
- You hear a squeal or a growl from under the hood
- You smell burning rubber
A new battery will not fix this. It will just run down too.
It may be the starter if
- The dash lights come on but the engine will not crank
- You hear one loud click or a grinding noise
- It will not start even with a jump
Why cars will not start in the cold
Cold hits a battery from two sides. At 0 degrees Fahrenheit a battery puts out only about half its power. And a cold engine is harder to turn, so it asks for more. A battery that was weak in September will often fail on the first hard freeze.
What to try right now
- Make sure the car is in park, or the clutch is all the way down.
- Turn off the lights, the heater fan and the radio. Try again.
- Look at the battery posts. If a clamp is loose, snug it up.
- Check the fuel gauge.
- Try a jump start.
If none of that works, it is time to call for help. Tell us what you heard. It helps us send the right person.
Where these facts come from
Checked on October 8, 2026.
Related help
- How to jump start a car, in the right orderRed to the dead battery first. The last black clamp goes on bare metal, not the dead battery. Here are the jump start steps in order, and what to do after.
- Jump start and batteryA jump, or a new battery put in when a jump will not hold.
- Ran out of gas? Here is what to doGet off the road, turn on your flashers, and have fuel brought to you. Here is what to do when you run out of gas, and whether it hurts your car.