Q: Put key in ignition, but nothing happens
My car won't start. I put the key in, but nothing happens. No lights come on. My car has been sitting for a year.
Recommended Services
| Battery Replacement | $247.05 - $377.49 | Get a Quote |
| Car is not starting Inspection | $94.99 - $114.99 | Get a Quote |
The battery would of been drained after sitting for a year. The battery may have been drained to the point it may not be able to be charged and would need a replacement. Also the fuel in the car may be stale and the fuel system would need further work if the fuel has become gummed up. The only way to tell is to have the vehicle checked and have the battery replaced to start. I recommend you have a certified mechanic perform an inspection of your car’s starting system for you.
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
What others are asking
How do I adjust the volume in the infotainment system?
Adjusting the volume in the infotainment system is very easy. Simply rotate the VOL knob until you reach your volume preference. The volume will increase when the knob is rotated clockwise, and decrease when the knob is rotated counterclockwise.
Car jerks after I accelerate past 48mph
Hello, thanks for writing in. I'd be happy to offer my insight. This can be caused by a lack of power from the engine or a transmission issue. I usually check the computer for any codes first to see if...
engine
A crate motor is simply a "complete" motor, shipped in a crate of course. Complete means it has the head, valve train, camshafts and block (pistons, crankshaft, oil pump) already assembled. Crate motors can be "new" or "re-manufactured". Often, many...
Will a bad steering rack or tie rod cause me to fail MOT?
Hello. Yes bad tie rods are a valid reason for a vehicle to fail MOT. The tie rods are part of the steering rack. The steering rack consist of two inner and two outer tie rods. Generally you will only...
Why doesn't my car start?
Hi there. It is likely that the ignition switch or ignition relay is damaged. These two components typically cause the type of symptoms you are describing. It might be a good idea to have a professional mechanic come to your...
Red lighting bolt on and car won't start but I have electrical power
The red lightning bolt (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/check-engine-light-is-on-inspection) indicates that there is a problem wit the electronic throttle control unit. This may be for a specific reason or may be due to a slight glitch. Try resetting the throttle control unit by doing...
how much weight is required for a seat sensor to detect someone
Occupant weight sensors (OWS) are required in new cars and they must meet the regulatory requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208. To give you a common example, in Honda vehicles if the occupant weight sensor detects the...
If my immobilized light indicator doesn’t turn on when I insert my key and turn my vehicle on does this mean I have a faulty immob
Hi John. When your engine is turned on, the immobilizer light should briefly turn on. This lets you know that the security system is working; if the immobilizer light does not briefly come on, the system is not functioning properly....
I have a 1992 Lexus Ls400 and the transmission wont switch out of 1st gear the caer has 261k miles should i get a new transmission
You should have the computer scanned for codes that may point to the cause of the no shift out of first gear. You may just have a solenoid that is bad for one of the gears and just need to...
Related articles
How Often Should the Ignition System Be Inspected?
Your Your ignition system is a critical part of both your car and daily driving experience. If it isn't working correctly, you could experience anything from poor engine operation to engine stall or failure to start. It’s critical that you...
How the Starter Works in Your Car
A A car starter is a powerful electric motor that cranks your engine in order to start your car. The starting system consists of the motor itself, and the attached solenoid. The solenoid is what takes battery power and delivers...
How to Replace an Ignition Lock Cylinder
The ignition lock cylinder is usually at fault if there is an issue with the ignition system. A common sign of failure is a car that won't start.
Browse other content
Services
Cities