Q: Car died and won't start

asked by on February 12, 2016

I had the alternator changed, and that fixed the problem for about two weeks. Now the car has died, and doesn't start up.

Service Battery/cables $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

I would look at the battery first. The battery may not hold a charge anymore. The typical age of a battery is 6 to 10 years, depending on what climate you live in. When the battery dies it will no longer produce enough power to crank the car, even if the alternator is trying to charge it. You can have the battery load tested from a technician with YourMechanic. If the load test comes back good, then the next step is to determine whether the starter is working properly. If the starter turns very slowly then your starter is probably going bad and needs replacing.

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

Check Engine light on
If the Check Engine light came on in relation to the fuel cap being replaced, then that means it may not be a fuel cap related problem. I would recommend having the vehicle scanned for trouble codes by a knowledgable...
Car shakes and turns off
Hello. There are many factors that can cause a car to stall upon start up. You could be experiencing a fuel supply problem or a fault with a sensor in the engine management system. The first step with any drivability...
Drove car through deep puddle and now it makes a loud noise when accelerating
How is the car driving other than the noise? If it's running poorly, this could be a very serious problem and you should have it checked as soon as possible. Sometimes when driving though big puddles (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-check-for-water-damage-in-a-used-car), water can get...
Installing a trailer hitch requires cutting out a piece of the underbody trim panel.
Hello, thanks for writing in. Personally, if it was my new car I would check to see if there is another different trailer hitch on the market that does not require cutting any trim panels. If there is no other...
2002 prerunner what do i use to seal oil pan,3.4
Hi there - I believe the OEM gasket is a cork/rubber mix. Silicon RTV sealant is a popular substitute, although I tend to the school of "if it came with a gasket, it was probably needed, and should be reinstalled...
Hi! We have a 2007 Honda CR-V and recently several dashboard lights came on.
Hi. It is possible that the dashboard lights will do the same thing for each of the problems the dealership say you have. It seems when the computer was replaced it did temporary fix the problem you had with the...
Gas leaking in tailpipe. Changed fuel pump, fuel filter, and oil. Still leaks. My next move is to replace the fuel regulator. Can you fix this?
Hi there. If the fuel is dumping into the exhaust pipe, then there is either a burned valve and the gas is not burning in a cylinder or one or more fuel injectors are leaking. If you need further assistance...
My 2001 chevy venture shuts off on me at random times . A couple of days the check engine light was on so we hooked the computer u
It's not unusual for code P0420 to come on, stay on for even a few days, and then just disappear. Then, months later, it might happen again (i.e., appear and disappear). If this is the circumstances you face, I would...
Starts but will not stay running unless you pour gas directly into the engine
It sounds like you may have a fuel supply problem in getting the proper amount of fuel to the fuel injectors. As you know, when you turn the key to on, the fuel pump (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-pump-replacement) is activated and the fuel...

Related articles

How Can Moisture Get Into an Ignition System?
All All ignition systems use electricity to crank and run the engine. This is true whether you have a conventional, electronic, or distributor-less ignition system. Water is the enemy of electricity and if it intrudes into the ignition system, it...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Idle Control Valve
Common signs include irregular or unusually high idle speed, the Check Engine Light coming on, and stalling while idling.
How to Replace an Ignition Trigger
The ignition trigger fails if the engine is misfiring or has trouble starting. The check engine light may illuminate if the ignition trigger fails.