Some reasons for ignition failure in the modern car

I started writing columns in auto magazines in 1976 and answering queries about car problems six years later.

Published on February 13, 2008

Some reasons for ignition failure in the modern car

During this time, almost all of my articles have been related to car problems, test drives and car-accessory suggestions. But in recent years, I have expanded my scope to include marketing reviews and general auto techniques, in order to cover just about everything related to cars.

During the past decade, I have not written about motorcycles, although I did write about both cars and motorbikes in the early years of my career.

Despite my long experience in this field, what worries me most is that I may incorrectly diagnose a problem's cause and make my readers lash out at me. Thus, the scariest questions are the simple ones, such as: "My car won't start. I'd like to know what is the problem and how to solve it."

Well, there are several reasons why a car won't start, and people should include as many other seemingly related symptoms as possible if they want the most likely answer.

Often, the anti-theft system is the main problem with an engine not starting. This could be a system failure or a driver who does not understand how it works. Those who drive cars manufactured in the 1990s often do not understand the car-alarm door sensors of some car brands.

Cars come equipped nowadays with several electronic systems, particularly anti-theft devices that become more sophisticated each year.

For example, one such device has it where if you lock your car's doors with a remote control, you must open them again only with the remote control, or else the on-board computer will not allow the car to start.

Simply lock the doors again with the remote control and then open them again with the remote control. But what if the remote's battery dies?

Sometimes the problem is a dead remote battery, but the driver thinks it may be a malfunction in central door lock or security anti-theft system. And then untrained mechanics may inadvertently damage your car while trying to determine or fix the problem, resulting in an even higher bill.

For current car models, drivers should remember to change the battery in the remote's key fob every two years - both the regular one and the spare.

Those who use an immobiliser key must also take care to avoid placing it near magnetic fields; don't lay it down on top of speakers, refrigerators and operating computers, or even near anything made of iron. Don't let it get it wet. And if you want to copy the key, don't use a keymaker who uses a clip to hold the key, as too much pressure may destroy some of the internal parts.

Some keys use electricity-conducting metal that may cause difficulty in starting you car, because it can interrupt the anti-theft system's encoding between the key and the lock. On the same principle, starting your car near airports and radio stations may also be difficult, because of the increased wave activity.

Some auto-tint films have as an ingredient a good signal receiver, such as mercury or bronze, and this can interfere in the signal between the key fob and remote-control box inside the car. So if you cannot start your car or have a problem with you remote control, check your key fob first. This simple tip could prevent you wasting your money on mechanics.

n E-mail your motoring questions to Pattanadesh@nationgroup.com.

By Pattanadesh Asasappakij

The Nation