Troubleshooting Car Problems

Being able to successfully troubleshoot car problems can mean cheaper garage bills and a generally less stressful life.

The main thing to remember if your car is not working as it should is not to panic. Frustration can be compounded if the problem is not obvious, making the process even more stressful than it needs to be. In case you are unsure what is ailing your car, you need to apply a little bit of logic.

While troubleshooting car problems may not immediately solve the issue at hand, you may find some comfort in knowing exactly what it is that needs to be fixed.

Fortunately the troubleshooting process is something that can usually be reduced to a few rules of thumb: apply some simple tests and you may soon be able to ascertain - and hopefully fix - the problem.

Engine is Not Starting Up

If the engine is making a cranking noise while you are trying to start it, first check if you are not out of fuel. It may sound like something you'd never do, but even the most diligent of us make these mistakes!
If the problem is not relating to fuel then might be originating from the battery or the starter motor on the car. To check if the battery is not the one with the problem try using the windshield wiper, lights, fan or radio. If none of the electrical devices of your car work properly then the problem is either in the wiring, or your battery has discharged. You can also try checking if the connectors of your battery are properly attached and if there is a corrosion build up.
If you are trying start your car and hear a "click" sound but the starter does not initiate, the problem is most probably is in the starter motor. It may be a serious starter motor problem that will require the expertise of a mechanic or the starter motor is simply jammed. If jammed, find the location of the starter motor and tap it with a suitable tool like a spanner.
All of these problems can usually be overcome by push-starting (if your car is manual transmission), but this is only a temporary solution that might suffice in getting you to someone who can fix the issue.

Engine Is Difficult To Start

If when starting your car, it stops after releasing the key, or if takes a long time to fire into action, then the problem may be because you have a weak battery, ineffective spark plugs, or problems with debris in the fuel pipe.
You can get the car up and running by jumpstarting the battery or, again, push-starting it if you have manual transmission.

Engine Starts but the Car Is Not Moving

If the car does not move even if the engine has no problem starting up, the problem may be in the car's transmission. For automatic transmission cars, check if there is still enough automatic transmission fluid. For manual transmission cars, have it checked by a mechanic because you may be in need of clutch adjustment.
Other problems may occur with faulty drive shafts and CV joints. These are difficult to fix and there is no quick or easy way to solve this problem.

Unfortunately for us car drivers these are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the common problems you may encounter. There are tons of other problems that you may find in your car and there are dozens of effective methods for troubleshooting car problems.

If you have performed every possible step in troubleshooting car problems with no success, then it may be the time to contact a mechanic or any car expert to aid you. The problem can often be easily resolved by the expert and it might not be as bad as you thought.