Q: Car won't start after sitting.
Car has been sitting for several months and will not start. It could be as simple as needing a jumpstart or a new battery, or it could be something more complicated, not sure.
Recommended Services
| Car is not starting Inspection | $94.99 - $114.99 | Get a Quote |
As a car sits it is still using the battery so after a few months it is common for the battery to be drained because it hasn’t been charged by the alternator. Jump starting it should work to get the car started. If your car sits for a long period of time I would recommend using a battery tender to keep a slow charge on it. You can always have a mechanic do a ’no start’ inspection.
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
Car sitting low due to snow weight.
I am from the deep south and do not see any snow, but have been in areas of heavy snow in my career. My first thought would be that the vehicle rear springs were subjected to being compressed for a...
Plastic key in ignition
Hello, The metal key and plastic housing both need to be intact for the vehicle to start. The plastic housing holds a computer chip which sends a signal to the anti-theft system to start the vehicle. The metal key acts...
Fuel pump relay and fuse
If the fuel pump and relay keep blowing, then the most likely cause of this is the fuel pump drawing too many amps and needing to be replaced. The pump drawing too many amps can overheat the circuit and cause...
P0786 code ford glaxay, gear shifting jurk or slip
This is a common code related to the MAP sensor. This can happen for a variety of reasons such as something as simple as a dirty mass air flow sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/mass-airflow-sensor-replacement) which could be causing inaccurate fuel trim adjustments to...
Service AdvanceTrac Warning
Hi, thanks for writing in. This is a known issue in the Ford F150 that is usually caused by the steering column control module going bad (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-power-steering-control-unit). This is what controls this and can be purchased for around $60. If...
I have always used regular 5W-30 Motor oil - should I change to synthetic?
Switching from regular to synthetic oil is not a problem. Your engine will benefit from the better lubrication, temperature resistance, and staying cleaner longer than conventional oils. Switching to synthetic oil (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/can-you-switch-between-regular-and-synthetic-motor-oil) or even back to conventional oil is not...
Vehicle will start but turns off when put into gears
Hello, thank you for writing in. When the transmission is put into gear, the engine is demanded to work under slightly different conditions. It is these changes that are likely triggering the engine to stall. The Torque converter lock up...
Can resetting 2014 Chevy captiva computer stop the reduced engine power
Hi there. Unfortunately, this is a very difficult question to answer since we don't know which codes are showing up during an OBD-II diagnostic exam. However, what the local auto parts store probably did was a code scan and not...
I have a 2004 Ford Freestar. I just recently had the transmission fluid changed. Now my van won't go into gear. Did that possibly
Changing the transmission fluid will not typically cause the transmission to fail. You should check the fluid level. If the level is too low, the transmission will malfunction. There are also external faults, such as problems with the shift linkage,...
Related articles
How Engine Timing Works
Your Your car engine consists of a number of rapidly moving parts, including a crankshaft, camshaft, pistons, engine valves, rods and pulleys. As the piston moves up and down, the valves move correspondingly, in and out. The crankshaft spins, and...
How to Buy Good Quality Battery Cables
When When your car won’t start, it’s easy to immediately jump to the battery as the problem. If a voltage test, however, shows that the battery is fine, the issue could very well be the battery cables. These oft-overlooked components...
How to Change Battery Cables
Although simple in nature, battery cables (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-battery-cable) are one of the most important components of a vehicle’s electrical system. They serve as...
Browse other content
Services
Estimates
Maintenance