Posted on 11/28/2025
A vehicle that refuses to start in the morning can feel random, but the causes are usually predictable. Sorting what you hear and see will narrow the problem quickly and keep you from throwing parts at the car. Use these five common culprits to zero in on the fix and get back on the road without drama. 1. Dead or Weak Battery Most no-starts begin with the battery. Cold weather steals cranking power, and aging batteries can sound fine at noon yet struggle at dawn. Corroded terminals or loose ground straps add resistance that drops voltage during crank. Typical clues include a rapid clicking from the starter relay, dimming interior lights, or a dash that resets after a long attempt. A quick load test and a proper terminal cleaning restore more “starts” than any other repair we see. 2. Starter Motor or Circuit Trouble If the dash lights are bright but the engine does not turn, focus on the starter and its control path. Worn starter brush ... read more