Q: Key turns, no crank

asked by on October 19, 2016

The key turns .... No crank In the morning it won't start, after a number of hours it starts and it works fine all day, today it didn't. Start at all

My car has 150000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Starter Replacement $169.22 - $1153.49 Get a Quote
Car is not starting Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

The starting system is rather simple. There are only a few components that can cause this to happen. The first place to check is with the starter. They can fail intermittently and this is a sign that it is going out. If this was the case, the crank when while starting would likely be slow and rough. You can have the starter bench tested but the test won’t be loaded (as in measure the starter’s ability to not just spin, but to actually crank over the engine). The battery should also be tested. If the engine starts normally when it does start, there might be an electrical issue. You will want to start by checking the ground connections first, and if necessary you can tract the power supply from the battery to the starter with a voltmeter. If you need help having this diagnosed, a certified professional from YourMechanic can comes to your car’s location to pinpoint the cause of the no-start and assist with repairs.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Turning off while driving
Hello. This is a common problem on your vehicle. If the engine turns right off then it can be a crank position sensor or is may be a failure in the inertia shut off switch. If the engine is turning...
Dodge Ram pinion nut recall
Hi there. A loose pinion nut could definitely cause premature wear on the pinion bearing as there would not be sufficient preload on the bearing to maintain proper contact with the race. As for whether or not this would be...
Changed heads. Engine runs great until I put it in gear, then I have no power from transmission, shifts hard, and breaks are hard.
Hey there. Given that you performed a fair amount of engine work and have no doubts with the battery out of the car, it is possible that the throttle position sensor and engine management have lost their "pairing" values and...
Is $450 reasonable for a timing belt replacement? I have a 2009 Hyundai Elantra.
Hi there. The average cost for a timing Belt replacement is between $259 and $350. This is determined on how the timing belt is replaced and if there are any other issues when removing the timing belt. The thing to...
Misfiring and jerking when accelerating.
The jerking reaction you are experiencing may be related to a dirty or failing mass air flow sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/mass-airflow-sensor-replacement). This is a component that measures the air intake as it enters the intake of the engine reading and relaying this...
When i shut off my car the heater blower keeps going with unit off and car off. 2006 Chevy Trailblazer
Hello - either the relay is stuck in the "On" position from burned contacts (,https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-blower-motor-relay) or the heater switch is similarly stuck in the "on" position (internal contacts at least). I would recommend an electrical inspection (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/electrical-components-are-not-working-inspection) by a mobile,...
What could be the issue?
The issue is that the fuel pump is starting to wear out and not turn on when either the fuel pump relay is hot or the fuel pump is shorting out internally. Check the fuel pump relay when the engine...
2014 Ford c max hybrid
The “check fuel fill inlet” warning light means that there is a problem with the fuel tank fill seal. The seal could be missing, loose, damaged, distorted, or there is debris in the fuel fill inlet, and/or there is a...
Hi - I have the 2014 wildtrak. The powertrain light came on Friday after about 30 minutes of driving no more than 65km. It came of
The powertrain warning light is intended to alert you to a malfunction in engine controls, the transmission or traction control/ABS. If the problem resolves itself the warning light may turn off. For example, if you have a heavy load, perhaps...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Buick Verano
The The 2012 Buick Verano is a near luxury sedan that is affordably priced with lots of technology and comfort that comes standard. The interior is covered in leather with a rich variety of colors. The legroom in the front...
A Buyer's Guide to the 2012 Buick Regal
The The 2012 Buick Regal is definitely not the Regal of yesteryear you may have heard your grandparents fawn over. This mid-size sedan has a lot of modern features that start at the engine and stretch all the way to...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Love Road Trips
If If you love to travel, comfort is very important in a vehicle. You want a nice, quiet ride, comfortable seating, and enough room. We have evaluated several used vehicles, and narrowed our favorite road trip vehicles down to the...