If your vehicle will not start, then there is a chance that you would just need a jump-start. Before you try that you should verify that your security light is not flashing. If it is then your problem probably does not have anything to do with the battery or starter, it is most likely because your security system is not letting it start. If this is the case then you need to read your owners manual to see how to fix this or contact your dealer. Since all makes and models are different there is no universal way to turn off the security system. If the security light is not flashing then you need to start checking the other things that can cause a no start.
The Vehicle Does Not Turn Over
If your vehicle will not turn over, then there are several things to check. The first thing to check is your battery. There are several ways to do this. The best way is to have it load tested. This test is the most reliable test to see if your battery is good or not. If you cannot or do not want to do this test you can also try turning on all of your accessories. This includes the heater, radio, lights, and other electronics. After they are all on go out and see how bright the lights are. If they are dim this tells you that the battery is probably not as strong as it should be. By bringing the vehicle in, we can test the battery and check the strength of the charge. If it is time for a new battery, we can advise you on which type would be right for your vehicle. This can help to improve the reliability when you drive.
Another way to Test the Battery
One other test that is a great test is for those that either have or can go out and buy a voltmeter. These are reasonably priced, and you can use it to do lots of diagnoses on your vehicle. After you have your meter check the battery voltage to see how many volts it has with none of your accessories on and your key off. It should have a minimum of twelve point four volts. The next most common cause is the battery cables not being tight or they are too corroded. This is an easy thing to check, just try to wiggle them. If they move, then they are too loose.
Test the Starter of your Vehicle
If you have already tested your battery, try to start the vehicle again with the voltmeter on. Read the voltage at this time. If the voltage drops below nine point six volts then it is likely that your starter is faulty. If you are having starting problems it is possible that your ignition switch is going bad, but it is very unlikely as they do not go bad very often. This can be diagnosed fairly quickly in order to keep your vehicle working safe and reliable.
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