In a rush? Here are the key takeaways:
- Do you need to wait for diesel glow plugs? Push the clutch pedal down? Or are you driving an EV or hybrid that remains silent during start-up?
- Check the battery, alternator, starter solenoid, ignition switch, and key.
- Otherwise, go to an electrical engineer for a more in-depth diagnosis.
It’s a disheartening situation when your car won’t start, and there’s no noise at all. When you’re in a rush on a busy morning, you might offer up a frustrated sigh and curse the universe.
Before resigning yourself to fate, though, think about what’s causing this problem. It’s nothing you can’t handle. Cars are complex machines, true, but their working principles are pretty simple.
You might still need breakdown recovery services, regrettably. That said, there’s a good chance the only issue is a dead battery. That’s something you can fix yourself.
Here’s how to determine what’s wrong if your car won’t start and there’s no sound at all.
Let’s begin!
Table of ContentsShow
How Does The Starting Ignition System Work?
Before delving into why there’s no sound when attempting to start your car, let’s examine how your engine ignites.
An electrical circuit connects the car battery to the starter motor. This circuit is completed when you turn the key in the ignition to its INITIAL position.
At this point, you usually hear the rrruhruhruh of the engine turning over. You release the key as it gets going under its own power. It returns to its typical ON position.
Two things happen at the starter motor when you turn the key to activate this process. A small pinion juts outward and meshes with the teeth on the much larger flywheel. This flywheel connects to the crankshaft. As it turns, it makes the pistons travel up and down within the cylinders.
The starter solenoid then drives the pinion, spinning with immense torque to force the engine to turn over. The car uses this kick-starter to get moving by injecting a fuel/air mixture into the combustion chamber and igniting it.
When you release the key, the starter’s pinion gear pulls back away from the flywheel and stops spinning. Its job is now complete. If you’ve ever tried to turn a key to START while the engine’s on, you’ll know it makes a horrible, cringe-worthy grinding noise.
That’s the pinion hitting the flywheel as it’s already rotating. Try not to do this since it’ll damage both the flywheel and the starter motor’s pinion gear.
Why Won’t My Car Start Or Make Any Noise?
If your car won’t start with no noise and nothing working, the fault must lie within the abovementioned system. It’s how every modern internal combustion engine works, whether it’s diesel or gasoline (see below for a quick note on diesel starting).
Note: certain hybrids and all electric cars, of course, don’t make any noise when they start. Is your vehicle one of these? Does it move away when you put it in gear? We won’t tell anyone. Also, many new cars with manual transmissions force you to depress the clutch before starting the engine. Similarly, many automatics need you to be pushing the brake.
If the starter solenoid functions and receives adequate current, the pinion will stick out and spin.
If it’s receiving insufficient charge, you might just hear a click. This is the pinion jutting out, but there isn’t enough electrical power to spin it or the flywheel.
When you hear nothing whatsoever – not even a ticking noise – the starter motor’s pinion isn’t doing anything at all.
This could be an indication of one of a few deeper issues. This guide will focus on these specific problems.
Starting A Diesel Engine
Diesel engines operate in a different manner than petrol motors. Nevertheless, the basic concept is identical. A mixture of fuel and air undergoes combustion to propel pistons downward, which transforms into rotational energy at the crankshaft.
However, diesel ignites through heightened compression rather than a spark plug. As such, you won’t find these anywhere in a diesel engine.
They need components that gasoline models don’t: glow plugs. Glow plugs heat up the combustion chambers to begin the starting process.
It’d be difficult to run the engine without them, especially on chilly mornings.
When you twist the key in a diesel motor, there’s always a brief break for a couple of moments. The glow plugs are warming up during this period, enabling the motor to initiate. It’s entirely normal.
If your diesel car makes no noise when attempting to start, hold it in START for a couple of seconds longer.
Provided no sounds are coming from the engine bay, you shouldn’t be doing any damage. That said, don’t hold the key in START for more than four or five seconds to be safe.
This might resolve your problem. If your car starts, it’s worth getting the battery and glow plugs checked and changed.
How To Figure Out And Fix The Problem
The issue must lie somewhere within the ignition or electrical system.
- Car battery (plus alternator while the engine’s running)
- Starter solenoid
- Ignition switch and key
- Wiring, fuses, connectors, terminals, and switches
- ECU and software
The root cause is almost certain to lie with one of these. Get a multimeter and a multi-purpose car battery tester if you’d like to do some diagnostic work yourself. These are invaluable for finding electrical issues (which, if your car won’t start at all with no noise, this probably is).
You may also need assistance from a professional for most jobs. However, a simple battery replacement is easy enough – provided you do it carefully!
Remember, electrical systems can be dangerous, especially those found on hybrids and EVs. If you’re in any doubt, it’s best to err on the side of caution and take your car to a competent and trusted mechanic.
Car Battery
If a car battery has completely drained, it won’t be able to send any electrical power to the starter motor. As such, the pinion can’t jut out or spin.
When you twist the key in the ignition one click to the ACCESSORY position, do you see any dashboard lights?
And if so, are they dimmer than usual? What about headlights – do they switch on?
No lights indicate a totally dead battery. Faint lights could mean it’s putting out a little power but is insufficient to operate the starter motor. Note that it takes minimal current to switch on lights.
By putting a multimeter across the terminals, you can confirm the battery’s state.
Check the voltage running between them. It should read 12.6 Volts (plus or minus a couple of tenths). If you see 12.0 V or below, the battery should be considered completely discharged – or “utterly dead.”
In this scenario, you should still be able to jump-start it. Run your vehicle for some time to charge the system. It’s presumably time for a fresh battery, likely to cost up to $100.
Another common problem with certain cars is rusty or loose terminals. Remove the battery to clean the terminals and connectors, removing rust, dirt, and debris as much as possible. Sometimes, after reconnecting everything, you might find it now works.
Starter Solenoid
If there’s an issue where your car doesn’t make any sound at all when starting, the starter solenoid is one of the more likely culprits.
The starter solenoid is the cylindrical mechanism on top of the motor. It simultaneously pushes out the pinion and completes the circuit so the starter motor turns.
When you turn the key to START, an electromagnetic coil moves a metallic rod into the nucleus. Here, it connects across two terminals, completing the circuit. The pinion drive gear, attached to the plunger, pushes out at the same time. This motion is the click.
If you do not hear that click, the plunger in the solenoid isn’t moving. The most likely cause of this is the pull-in coil in which it sits, not creating a strong enough magnetic field.
If the battery is functioning properly, there may be a problem with the coil itself (damage caused by usage, overheating, or physical impact) or the connectors attaching the wiring to the solenoid.
A light tap with a rubber mallet can sometimes get a starter solenoid working. Even if this works, you should get a new starter as soon as possible since it’s very likely to occur again and again.
Ignition Switch And Key
If both the battery and starter solenoid appear to be functioning fine, the next component to check is the ignition switch. This switch completes the circuit to send power to the starter solenoid.
When the switch stops operating, there’s no way for the current to reach the solenoid. As a consequence, the pinion doesn’t protrude out, and you don’t hear any clicking sounds.
The only precise way to test an ignition switch is to place a multimeter across after you’ve turned the key. Working with a live circuit carries a substantial risk of electric shocks.
This task is best left to the specialists due to the possible hazard associated with airbags and electrical systems.
Wiring, Fuses, Connectors, Terminals, And Switches
When you find all three components in your car’s starting system function well, you’ll know that the actual problem lies somewhere in the circuitry.
Start by checking the fuses. Cars use standardized transparent plastic fuses so you can see if they’ve blown. Alternatively, use a multimeter to check them all.
Any blown fuses can be replaced. However, something underlying caused that fuse to blow to protect the circuit. The issue is likely still present.
Connectors and terminals can get dirty or move with time and impact. Check and clean everything you can find on the battery, starter, and ignition switch. Make sure to disconnect the battery first.
The final possibility is the wiring. This can overheat, fray, or deteriorate. Rodents are also drawn to the more eco-friendly soy insulation used in modern cars.
Finding the precise wire with a problem will likely take a professional diagnosis. An electrical engineer will check every connection between the relevant components, narrowing it down until they find the cause.
Switches
It’s also worth telling you about defective switches. These don’t often get mentioned in articles like this one, but they’re a frequent problem.
Sometimes, cars develop faulty switches, such as those on a glove box or trunk lid. These can draw power consistently. If you leave your car for some time, it could completely deplete the battery.
Although this would severely deplete the battery – never a positive thing – it should function well again after recharging.
You’ll need an auto electrician to find and replace the faulty switch.
Software and ECU
Modern vehicles come with an amazing lot of electronics. Aside from the usual headlights and radios, infotainment systems are now commonplace.
Software glitches can cause affected components not to shut down. As they stay on while your engine’s off, they drain the battery.
Manufacturers install patches into the ECU software to stop these from occurring. A dealership mechanic or skilled auto electrician will be able to tell you if this is the fundamental issue and if your model is subject to a recall.
What’s The Fix If Car Doesn’t Start, No Clicking Noise?
Well, the answer depends on the problem.
First, check it’s not something trivial:
- Electric and some hybrids make little to no noise when starting.
- Glow plugs can take a few seconds to warm up in diesel engines (especially during cold starts).
- Newer cars with manual transmissions often require you to push the clutch down to start it. Putting it in neutral isn’t enough.
- You’ll need your foot on the brake before the engine starts in most automatics.
Next, work on the battery. Is it holding a charge? If not, a new battery is in order. At the same time, clean and replace the terminals.
If the battery is okay, proceed to examine the starter solenoid. Now, many car owners might have to take their car to a mechanic or get one to come to them. The starter can be taken out from the car and tested to ensure the pinion and plunger are functioning. If not, you will have to fix or replace it.
Let’s assume that both the battery and the starter are working well. You should then move on to having the ignition switch tested.
Now, it’s time to look at the fuses, wiring, connections, switches, and terminals. Technicians will examine your car with a multimeter at the ready until they uncover the fault.
Finally, a comprehensive ECU investigation might be needed.
How Much Do Repairs Cost?
Fortunately, if your car’s not starting and making no noise at all, it isn’t likely to be excessively expensive.
New batteries come to around $100, while replacement starter motors (including labor) will be a few hundred dollars. An ignition switch is likely to be around the identical as a starter motor (possibly marginally less).
When it comes to wiring, the cost is entirely dependent on how extensive the problem is. Expect to pay up to a few hundred dollars, but it should be less if you’re lucky.
Saving the disagreeable news for last, an ECU inspection and repair could reach into the thousands.
Concluding Thoughts
When your car doesn’t turn on, and you hear nothing at all, your heart is likely to sink. Don’t panic too much, though, since diagnosis and repair are usually straightforward. This means it doesn’t cost too much either.
Use a breakdown cover to take your car to a nearby shop. You could engage a callout mechanic to come directly to you if you prefer. Most proficient technicians should be able to find the problem in no time.
