Car Hesitates to Start; Causes and Possible Fixes

Your car hesitates to start for a number of reasons. It could be a problem with the starter, the battery, or even the fuel system. In this article, I shall be discussing some of the most common causes of car hesitation and what you can do about them.

If your car is hesitating to start, it’s important to get it fixed as soon as possible. A car that won’t start can be a huge inconvenience, not to mention a safety hazard.

Spark plug failure is one of most prevalent causes of why your car fails to start. This is more likely to occur if the ignition system’s electrical connections are broken or when the ignition coil fails. If you notice an issue with the spark plugs, they must be replaced.

Reasons Why Car Hesitates to Start

While worn-out spark plugs are one of the main reasons your car hesitates to start, there are many other different reasons that you need to troubleshoot to pinpoint the culprit.

Faulty Battery

The car battery is often the root of why a car hesitates to start. If it’s not holding a charge as it should, your car might hesitate when you turn the key in the ignition.

A weak or dead battery can be caused by something as simple as leaving your lights on, so always check to ensure all your electrical accessories are turned off when you’re not driving.

It’s also important to keep your battery clean and free of corrosion. Batteries tend to corrode more in cold weather, so if you live in an area with harsh winters, take extra care to clean off any build-up around the terminals.

You can use a mixture of baking soda and water to scrub away any grime, then rinse it off with clean water.

If you think your battery might be the problem, the best course of action is to take it to a professional mechanic or auto shop and have them test it for you. They can usually tell right away if it needs to be replaced.

In the meantime, you can try jump-starting your car with jumper cables if you get stranded. Just be sure to follow all safety precautions when using them.

Faulty Alternator

Another common reason why a car hesitates to start is a faulty alternator. The alternator charges the battery while the car is running, so if it’s not working correctly, the battery will eventually run out of power. This can happen gradually over time or all at once if there’s a problem with the alternator.

If you think your car might have a faulty alternator, it’s best to take it to a mechanic for diagnosis. There are several tests they can run to determine if the alternator is causing the car to hesitate to start. If it is, the alternator will need to be replaced. Luckily, this is usually a relatively easy and inexpensive fix.

Starter Motor Problems

The starter motor is what initiates the car’s starting process, so if there’s something wrong with it, the car will hesitate when you turn the key. This could be caused by a number of things, such as a faulty solenoid or a bad motor brush.

If you’re experiencing car hesitation and think it might be due to starter motor problems, the best thing to do is take it to a mechanic for diagnosis.

There are several tests they can run to determine if the starter motor is causing the issue. If it is, the starter motor will need to be replaced. This is usually a more expensive fix than some of the other problems on this list, but it’s still not as costly as a new car.

Dirty Spark Plugs

Dirty or corroded spark plugs can also cause a car to hesitate when starting up. The plugs create an electrical current that ignites the fuel in the engine, so if they’re not working properly, the car won’t start up correctly. Spark plugs should be cleaned and inspected regularly, especially if you drive in a dusty or dirty environment.

If your car is hesitating to start and you think it might be due to dirty spark plugs, you can try cleaning them yourself.

Be careful not to damage the electrodes while scrubbing away any dirt or corrosion. You can use a wire brush or a special spark plug cleaner tool for this job.

If the plugs are severely dirty or corroded, they might need to be replaced altogether.

Clogged Fuel Filters

Clogged fuel filters are a common culprit for cars that hesitate when starting. Fuel filters clean the gasoline before it enters the engine, and over time they can become clogged with dirt and debris. Your car may struggle to start because it’s not getting enough clean gasoline when this happens. You can replace your fuel filter yourself or take it to a mechanic.

Low Fuel Pressure

Low fuel pressure is another possible reason why your car might hesitate when starting. Fuel pumps pressurize the gas in the tank and send it to the engine.

Over time, fuel pumps can wear out and lose their ability to pressurize the gas properly. This can cause your car to hesitate when starting because the engine isn’t getting enough fuel.

You’ll need to replace your fuel pump if this is the problem.

Dirty Fuel Injectors

A fuel injector is a device that delivers fuel to an engine. It is usually in the form of a small nozzle connected to the engine’s air intake system. The fuel injector opens and sprays fuel into the cylinders when the engine is running. The fuel mixes with the air and is burned, providing power to the engine.

Fuel injectors are an important part of the engine, and they need to be kept clean and in good working condition.

If they become dirty or clogged, they can cause engine problems, such as a loss of power or fuel economy. It is important to have your fuel injectors regularly serviced to keep them in top condition.

Dirty fuel injectors are another common cause of hesitation when starting. Fuel injectors spray gasoline into the engine, and over time they can become clogged with dirt and debris.

When this happens, your car may hesitate when starting because the engine isn’t getting enough gasoline. You can clean your fuel injectors yourself or take them to a mechanic.

Air Leaks

One of the most common reasons why a car hesitates to start. If your car has an air leak, it will have difficulty starting up because it is not getting enough air.

Check all of the hoses and connections in your engine bay to make sure there are no leaks. If you find a leak, tighten the connection or replace the hose.

Faulty Camshaft Sensor

The camshaft position sensor is responsible for relaying information to the engine control unit about the position of the camshaft. If this sensor is not working correctly, the engine may not start at all or may run erratically.

Conclusion on Car Hesitates to Start

If you’re having trouble starting your car, it could be due to any number of problems. Low-quality gasoline, carbon build-up, bad spark plugs or wires, and a host of other issues can cause your car to hesitate when starting. If you’re having this problem, take your vehicle to a mechanic to diagnose and repair it.