With today's computer controlled cars, the possibility of a vehicle not starting when you turn the key is less likely then ever before. But it does happen, and when it does, it would help if you knew some basic tests and procedures that could allow you to determine the cause and often fix the problem yourself instead of relying on your local repair shop to bail you out.

The first step is to narrow down the cause of the no-start.

Let's go over the process of starting the car, so you have a better understanding of what is going on when you turn the key:

Here is what happens on a properly running car:

• You sit behind the wheel and insert the ignition key into the switch.

• You then turn the key to the spring loaded start position. When you do that, the ignition switch engages the starter by connecting the battery to the electric starter motor which, in turn cranks the engine over. This can be easily heard and is referred to as cranking the engine over.

• The next thing you will hear is the engine running, which is your signal to release the key.

• At that point, the engine is running and you are ready to place the transmission selector in Drive and be on your way.

• A number of things can go wrong during the starting process. The following should help you distinguish exactly where the problem is occurring in order to determine what needs to be done to resolve the situation and get on your way.

  Key will not turn:
  This can happen for a couple of reasons: The most obvious is that you are using a key not meant for that car or you have a worn out key. If you have a spare, try that one. A very common problem can occur when you park with the wheels turned all the way to one side and remove the key. When you try to turn the key to start, there is too much pressure on the steering lock to allow the key to turn. To correct this, force the steering wheel, first in one direction, then the other, while trying to turn the key. That should relieve the pressure and allow the key to turn.

  Engine does not crank:
  When you turn the key to start, you may hear a single click or nothing at all, or you may hear a rapid series of clicks, like a woodpecker, or you may hear the cranking sound, but it goes very slowly. The most common cause for any of these is either a weak or dead battery, or a dirty or corroded connection to the battery. Before you go any further, turn your interior light on, then try to start the car. If the light is dim or goes dim when you turn the key to start, then

• If the interior light is bright when you turn it on and doesn't change when you turn the key to start, the battery is probably ok. This condition can be caused by the following: (this list is sorted from most likely to least likely)

  • You do not have the transmission selector in park or neutral on an automatic transmission vehicle or there is a problem with the neutral safety switch. Try starting again with the transmission selector in Neutral.

  • You are not depressing the clutch pedal all the way down on a standard transmission vehicle or there is a problem with the clutch pedal switch.

  • There is a problem with the ignition switch or connecting wiring.

  • There is a problem with the starter motor or starter solenoid.