(ThyBlackMan.com) Is your car’s engine turning but not starting? Then you need to figure out if there could be an issue with your fuel system that’s preventing your vehicle from starting up. First off, you obviously want to be certain that you have enough gasoline in your tank. If your car not starting is simply a matter of the tank going empty, all you have to do is fill it up and get going again.
But if you have gasoline in the tank, what could be causing your startup problems? Clearly something is causing the fuel to get stuck, preventing it from making its way to the engine. Continue reading for a brief guide to diagnosing fuel problems in every type of car.
Gasoline or Diesel
Most modern vehicles run on either gas or diesel fuel, so if you have this type of car, you can start by assuming that the fuel pump may not be able to pump the fuel, or perhaps your car’s ECU isn’t triggering the vehicle’s fuel injectors.
Remember, your car’s fuel injection system will either be a multiport
or a sequential system, so it can be quite complicated. Whether it’s a problem with the ECU or the fuel pump, it’s best to leave it up to a professional mechanic who can diagnose and fix the issue for you.
Flex-Fuel, Ethanol, and Methanol
Even though your car may not run on conventional gasoline or diesel and instead runs on anything from methanol and ethanol to flex-fuel, it’s likely that the same problems that afflict a regular vehicle could be causing your issues too. So, again, you might be out of gas, your fuel injectors may not be functioning properly, or your fuel pump needs to be repaired.
No matter what, there probably isn’t much that you can do yourself to resolve the issue unless you’re a skilled mechanic, so it really is best to wait for a professional to take care of things.
Hybrid Cars
If you drive a hybrid vehicle, you’re dealing with both an electric motor and gas engine, so if your car stops running suddenly, you’ll need to take it to a mechanic who really knows hybrids or, better yet, entrust the vehicle to your dealership’s service team because they really know the ins and outs of these advanced cars. Remember, too, that a hybrid shouldn’t be pulled by a tow truck, as this could cause damage. Instead, it should be placed on a flatbed tow truck.
Electric Cars
If you operate an electric car and it stops running, it could be an issue with your battery simply being out of power. Try to recharge it to see if that resolves the problem. If not, the car’s system could be malfunctioning, but you should see dashboard lights notifying you of these problems before your car even stops running. Have the car serviced by a dealership that knows how to handle the unique electrical components.
Even though it’s usually best to leave fuel related problems up to the pros, you can take steps to maintain your car, such as regularly using a fuel injector cleaner, to keep it running like new.
Staff Writer; Chris Jones
