The Car Won’t Start Right After Turning Off – 6 Main Reasons

It can be frustrating when you’re getting ready to go to work in the morning, but you might feel anxious when your car won’t start after driving short distance.

Whether your car is old or new, you’ve probably experienced this kind of frustration from time to time.

However, you do not need to worry because the most common cause of a car not starting or having difficulty starting the engine is quite simple.

This article will show you why your car won’t start right after turning off and how to solve it.

6 Reasons Why Cars Won’t Start Right After Turning Off

Car Won't Start Right After Turning Off

Empty Gas Tank

The engine will not run without fuel. The starter (engine) needs a spark, fuel, and compression of the fuel mixture to work.

If the fuel in the tank is too low, the car wont start after running for a while. The engine will still run, but no fuel burn will occur, so the vehicle cannot run.

Driving until the fuel runs out is still common, and many people believe it is acceptable. But in fact, it is extremely risky because the gasoline and the fuel filter will be impacted.

As a result, when driving on the road, you need to pay attention to the fuel needle and replenish when the gasoline tank is less than two-thirds, so the car won’t start right after turning off.

Clogged Fuel Filter

Clogged fuel injectors can result in fuel not getting into the engine. This case is similar to the case of running out of fuel.

The engine will not be able to operate. The cause of a clogged fuel system can be due to dirt in the pipeline.

When the vehicle reaches 15,000–20,000 kilometers, the gasoline filter should be replaced. So consider changing the fuel filter when taking the car to the car repair system.

Faulty Starter

Damaged starters can be caused by malfunctioned gears or bearing (mechanical) during use.

During starting, if you turn the key off, or leave the headlights on and then turn on the Acc/On position. If you see your headlights dimming, you need to acquire a new starter right away.

The starter is a battery-powered electric motor. Its job is to make the engine (piston, crankshaft, etc.) move when the ignition switch is turned on.

If the starter is damaged, the engine will not spin properly or may not turn when you turn the key.

Faulty Alternator

When the car’s alternator has a problem, the car usually has the following signs:

Car Is Hard To Start

When you find that the automobile is challenging to explode, the battery is likely weak or exhausted. There are various reasons for this; the most common is a malfunctioning generator that will not charge the battery.

When encountering this situation, you should turn off unnecessary electrical equipment such as entertainment screens, speakers, car air conditioners, rotating machines, etc.

Then quickly take the automobile to the garage to check; otherwise, it will be easy to see the car won’t start right after turning off.

A Battery Indicator Light Comes On

The indication lights on the control panel should switch off after starting the engine to indicate that the systems are running normally. If the vehicle is moving, but the indicator light does not turn off, this is a sign that the system is malfunctioning.

When the battery is low, damaged, or the battery charging system has a problem, the battery indicator light will light up continually to inform you.

Car Lights Are Weak

When the alternator (automotive) has a problem, the battery is not fully charged. So, the electrical equipment on the vehicle is also affected.

The most obvious is that the headlights will be dimmer than usual; there is a phenomenon of flickering lights at dawn.

Car Has Strange Noises

There are various reasons why an automobile’s engine compartment creates unusual noises. If the automobile rattles, it is likely that the belt (mechanical) or the generator pulley is damaged.

Damaged belts or pulleys can cause the generator not to work properly.

Electrical Or Wiring Problems

Another reason why the car doesn’t start right away is because of electrical engineering or the wiring problem. Problems with the fuse box, the battery cable, or the vehicle control unit are examples.

Be warned that some rats can build a nest beneath your automobile’s hood and gnaw on the wiring, causing the system to fail and resulting in the car doesn’t want to start.

Bad Battery Symptoms

One of the main factors affecting the battery’s performance is the charge. When electromagnetism drops too much, it won’t be enough to start the automobile.

Furthermore, even when the car’s engine is turned off, several electronic types of equipment aboard the vehicle continue to operate in the background, resulting in the battery charge on the vehicle being reduced.

However, battery shortages are not a rare occurrence. Just one generator will help recharge the battery with all its fuel to operate.

But for automobiles that move less, the loss of battery charge will cause the automobile not to start. So at this point, you will have to work harder to open the capo and find the battery to charge it.

How To Fix This Problem

starter keeps going bad

Try: Cycling The Key

You need to open the switch button to check, use the short wire, and remember to press the brake pedal with the model “press the brake to start” to try.

If you turn the key to “Off,” leave the headlights on and then turn the key to “Acc/On,” you’ll get the best results. While you see the headlights fade, you need to repair or replace the starter.

Try: Swapping Relays

Turn the key to the “Run” position with the radio off and listen for the buzzing sound for two seconds. That is the phenomenon of the primed fuel pump for the injection system.

If you don’t hear any sound, either the fuel pump relay is damaged, or the pump may be on its last leg.

To start the starter, you can follow the steps here:

  • Check the owner’s manual or the caption on the fuse box lid under the hood for the position of the fuel pump relay. 
  • Make that the fuel pump relay is in good working order.
  • Look for another relay with the same vehicle parts number and replace it with the gasoline pump, which will force it into the socket.
  • Try starting the engine.

Try: Smacking The Fuel Tank

If your car wont start after running, tap the bottom of the fuel tank several times with the heel of your shoe to get the engine pumping. Then try to start the automobile.

Try: Tapping on the Battery Terminals

Cleaning corrosion electric battery terminals is impossible when you don’t have the right tools.

A simple way right now is to strike each battery terminal with the heel of your shoe to rotate it around the battery post if the car doesn’t start up right after running slightly. Then try starting the engine.

Try: Smacking The Starter

Try striking the starter motor with the tire iron from your automobile jack if you have access to it.

Electrical contacts can become stuck at times and dislodged by tapping on them.

FAQs

Can I Disconnect The Battery While My Car Is Running?

Obviously, you shouldn’t do that. When a car’s battery cable is disconnected while the engine is running, millisecond voltage spikes can harm sensitive electronics in the vehicle’s starter solenoid components.

Furthermore, if the battery is a semiconductor and is accidentally switched on, unplugging the battery can destroy the ignition points and radio.

Is It Bad To Start Your Car Right After Turning It Off?

The answer is yes when you drive for a short distance. If you keep doing this and don’t let the engine warm-up completely, you may be damaging your automobile’s battery or starter.

Moreover, the fuel injection engine can be turned on and off multiple times without causing damage to other car artificial objects.

They’re made to give ideal fuel regardless of the weather, as long as it’s not too hot or too cold for normal driving circumstances.

How Long Should I Wait After Starting My Car?

Regardless of engine temperature, you can begin driving within 15 seconds of starting the automobile. Before pressuring the engine, let 15 seconds for the oil to circulate.

You don’t need a long warm-up time with modern vehicle technology and multi-viscosity oils. Oil flows and lubricates nicely even when it is cold.

Warming your engine longer than needed won’t harm it but waste energy and money.

Conclusion:

This article explains why your car won’t start right after turning off, as well as some quick fixes for when you’re on the road.

Of course, there are many reasons why your automobile won’t start that you can’t fix yourself. Manufactured goods of automobiles are diverse.

So you should take it to a service center so that mechanical engineering can change suitable hardlines (retail) and ensure your automobile’s safety.

Leave a Comment