DIY Guide: What to Do If Your Electric Car Won’t Start

When your electric car refuses to start, it can be a pretty frustrating experience. After all, you can’t just pop the hood and check for a loose battery cable like you can with a regular gas-powered vehicle. And depending on the vehicle, you may not have a lot of tools on hand to diagnose the problem either.

Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to troubleshoot your electric vehicle if it won’t start. Here’s a DIY guide to what to do if your electric car won’t start.

Check the EV Key

First, make sure the key is in the ignition and turned to the correct position. In some cars, the key needs to be in the “on” position to start the vehicle. If the key is in the right spot and it still won’t start, you’ll need to look at other possible issues.

Check the Gas

No, not that kind of gas – electric cars don’t have traditional gas tanks. But electric cars do rely on a certain level of charge in the battery to start. Your car will give you some kind of warning when the battery is getting low, so you shouldn’t end up in this situation as long as you’re paying attention to the warnings.

If you’ve always had good range in the past, low battery charge isn’t likely to be the culprit. If it is the issue, you’ll need to plug your car into a charging station to get it going again.

Check the Fuse

This won’t be applicable in all vehicles, but if your electric car has a fuse box, you might be able to check it for faults. If you can’t tell if the fuse is blown or not, simply swap out the fuse in question with a spare one.

Check the OBD Port

If you’re still having no luck getting your car to start, check the on-board diagnostics (OBD) port for any errors. The OBD port will be located somewhere in or near the driver’s side dashboard. Connect a diagnostic scan tool to the OBD port to check for any error codes. Many auto parts stores offer free diagnostic scans, so this can be a cost-effective way to identify the issue.

Try It Again

Even if you’ve taken all of the above steps and you’re still having no luck getting your car started, it’s worth trying once more. You never know – maybe your car just needed a few seconds to tell you it’s ready to go.

Consider Taking It to a Professional

If your electric vehicle still won’t start and none of the above solutions have worked, it’s probably time to call in the pros. Taking your car to an electric vehicle-certified auto shop will ensure that the job is done right.

Things to Bring Along Just in Case

Whether you’re dealing with your electric car on your own or you’re taking it in to a professional, it’s a good idea to be prepared just in case. Here’s a list of things to bring along:

• Owner’s manual
• Car keys
• Jumper cables
• Spare fuses
• Diagnostic scan tool
• Spare charging cable and adapter
• Cell phone and charger

Download a Diagnostic App

If you don’t already have access to a diagnostic scan tool, you might consider downloading a diagnostic app. With a quick search of your app store, you’ll find several applications that can cover the basics of electric car diagnosis.

Do Your Research

Reading up on electric car maintenance basics can give you a good idea of what might be going wrong in your car. Check out manufacturers’ websites as well as other forums and blogs for potential solutions.

Evolution of Electric Cars

Electric cars are no longer a novel concept – they’re here to stay. With this evolution comes a better understanding of diagnosis and troubleshooting. As the technology continues to improve over the coming years, the process of troubleshooting electric cars should become much less intimidating.

Conclusion

When your electric car won’t start, there’s no need to panic. With the right tools and know-how, you should be able to get your car up and running in no time. When all else fails, take it in to a qualified professional to have the issue taken care of. With a little bit of extra effort, you’ll have DIY Guide: What to Do If Your Electric Car Won’t Start up and running again before you know it.

What are the common causes of an electric car not starting?

1. Low Battery. If the battery isn’t fully charged, the car won’t start.

2. Faulty Charger. If the charger is faulty or damaged it can cause the car to not start.

3. Broken Charger Cable. If the cable that connects the charger to the car is broken, loose, or damaged it can cause a no-start situation.

4. Faulty Wiring. Defective wiring can cause a no-start situation.

5. Faulty Controller. If the car’s controller is damaged, this can cause a no-start situation.

6. Poor or Loose Connections. Poor or loose connections in the electric car’s electrical system can cause a no-start situation.

Q: What are some symptoms of an electric car not starting?

Some common symptoms of an electric car not starting can include the car not responding when the key is turned, a missing or faint “buzzing” sound when the key is turned, power not coming on when the charger is plugged in, dashboard or radio control buttons not working, or the car not making any noise whatsoever when the key is turned.

Q: What could be the cause of an electric car not starting?

There are a variety of potential causes for an electric car not starting, including a problem with the battery, an issue with the electric motor or drivetrain components, or an issue with the electrical system (such as wiring, fuses, and connections). It is also possible the car is not receiving enough power to start, or the power may be interrupted. In other cases, the problem may be related to the car’s control module or computer. Diagnostics may be needed to determine the exact cause.