What is wrong if my car refuses to turn over or even crank?
Assuming the battery isn’t completely dead, try these steps: 1) Turn on the headlights and turn the key to “start”. If the headlights do not dim, check for an open in the starting system. If the headlights do dim go to step 2. 2) Check the battery. 3) If the battery is OK, check all connections (at the battery, the starter solenoid, and motor). 4) Test the starter solenoid. The starter may turn over during these checks, so make sure car is in neutral. The battery must be charged for theses tests: A) Disable the ignition (remove the coil wire). B) Have an assistant turn the ignition key to “start” while you listen for a click at the solenoid. If it clicks, go to step F. If the click is weak or the solenoid chatters, go to step D. C) If there’s no click, remove the wire that actuates the solenoid from the terminal on the solenoid. Check for a bad connection (corrosion, looseness etc.). D) Connect a jumper wire between the battery positive terminal and the solenoid’s terminal that actuate
