Troubleshooting: Turn Key Nothing Happens Battery Is Good
Have you ever been in a situation where you turn the key in your ignition, expecting your car to start, only to be met with silence?
It can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you have somewhere important to be. And when you check the battery and see that it’s fully charged, it can be even more confusing.
If you find yourself in this predicament, you’re probably wondering, “What could be the issue? The battery is good, so why won’t my car start?”
Well, don’t panic just yet. There are several potential causes for a turn key ignition that won’t start despite a good battery.
In this article, we’ll explore those potential causes and provide some steps for troubleshooting and fixing the problem. So if you’re ready to get to the bottom of this frustrating issue, keep reading!
I. Possible Causes
There are several potential causes for a turn key ignition that won’t start despite a good battery. These include:
- Failed starter motor: The starter motor is responsible for turning over the engine when you turn the key in the ignition. If it has failed, the engine won’t start.
- Faulty ignition switch: The ignition switch sends a signal to the starter motor to start the engine. If it’s not functioning properly, the engine won’t start.
- Faulty neutral safety switch: The neutral safety switch prevents the engine from starting when the car is in gear. If it’s not functioning properly, the engine won’t start even if the battery is good.
- Broken or frayed ignition wires: Ignition wires carry electricity from the battery to the starter motor. If they are damaged or frayed, the starter motor won’t receive the necessary power to start the engine.
- Corroded battery terminals: Corroded battery terminals can prevent the battery from providing the necessary power to start the engine.
II. Testing and Diagnosis
To test and diagnose the issue with your turn key ignition that won’t start despite a good battery, you can follow these steps:.
These are the main potential causes for a turn key ignition that won’t start despite a good battery. In the next section, we’ll go over some steps for testing and diagnosing the issue.
- Check the starter motor: The first step is to test the starter motor to see if it’s functioning properly. To do this, you’ll need a multimeter. First, connect the positive lead of the multimeter to the positive terminal on the starter motor. Then, connect the negative lead to the negative terminal on the starter motor. The multimeter should read around 9-12 volts. If it doesn’t, the starter motor may be faulty and will need to be replaced.
- Test the ignition switch: To test the ignition switch, you’ll need a wiring diagram for your car. Using the wiring diagram, locate the ignition switch and follow the wires to the starter motor. With the multimeter, test the continuity of the wires between the ignition switch and the starter motor. If there is no continuity, the ignition switch may be faulty and will need to be replaced.
- Check the neutral safety switch: To test the neutral safety switch, put the car in neutral and try starting the engine. If it starts, the neutral safety switch is likely not the issue. If the car still won’t start, the neutral safety switch may be faulty and will need to be replaced.
- Inspect the ignition wires: Visually inspect the ignition wires for any signs of damage or fraying. If you find any damage, the wires will need to be repaired or replaced.
- Check the battery terminals: Check the battery terminals for any signs of corrosion. If they are corroded, clean them with a wire brush and apply some battery terminal grease to prevent future corrosion.
III. Solutions
Once you’ve identified the cause of the issue with your turn key ignition that won’t start despite a good battery, you can take the following steps to fix the problem:
- Replace the starter motor: If the starter motor is faulty, it will need to be replaced. This is a job that is best left to a professional mechanic, as it involves disassembling the engine and removing the starter motor.
- Replace the ignition switch: If the ignition switch is faulty, it will need to be replaced. This is a job that can be done by a mechanic or a skilled DIYer. You will need to locate the ignition switch, disconnect the wires, and remove it from the car. Then, install the new ignition switch and reconnect the wires.
- Replace the neutral safety switch: If the neutral safety switch is faulty, it will need to be replaced. This is a job that can be done by a mechanic or a skilled DIYer. You will need to locate the neutral safety switch, disconnect the wires, and remove it from the car. Then, install the new neutral safety switch and reconnect the wires.
- Repair or replace the ignition wires: If the ignition wires are damaged or frayed, they will need to be repaired or replaced. This is a job that can be done by a mechanic or a skilled DIYer. You will need to locate the ignition wires, disconnect them from the starter motor and ignition switch, and either repair any damage or replace the wires.
- Clean and grease the battery terminals: If the battery terminals are corroded, they will need to be cleaned and greased to ensure proper connectivity. This is a relatively simple task that can be done by a mechanic or a skilled DIYer. Use a wire brush to clean the terminals, and then apply some battery terminal grease to prevent future corrosion.
Conclusion
If you’re dealing with a turn key ignition that won’t start despite a good battery, there are several potential causes to consider. These include a failed starter motor, a faulty ignition switch, a faulty neutral safety switch, broken or frayed ignition wires, and corroded battery terminals.
To troubleshoot the issue, you can test each of these potential causes and use the results to identify the root cause of the problem. Once you’ve identified the cause, you can take steps to fix the issue, such as replacing a faulty component or cleaning and greasing the battery terminals.
It’s important to remember that if you’re unsure of how to proceed or are unable to fix the problem on your own, it’s always best to seek the help of a professional mechanic. They have the knowledge, skills, and tools to properly diagnose and fix the issue, ensuring that your car is running smoothly once again.