Facing Problem in your New or Old Car. Troubleshoot Cause with Solutions on Engine, Pickup, Brake, AC, Overheat, Noise, Vibration, Mileage, Start
Car Problems with Reasons
A Car is a fine outcome of Mechanical Engineering, made up with the highest Precision and Technology.
However despite that - due to usage there could be issues which may arise due to wear and tear or any mechanical part breakdown
Been - there are thousands of parts used in car and times when mechanics may try to take advantage of the situation by showing an aggrieved issue, its important to be abreast with the common issues and be an informed car owner - to take the best of your car
Remember - An Informed Owner can not only save in costs - bit will also prevent any unauthorized parts from local Distributor.
Common Car Problem - Diagnosing the Cause
| Car Problem | Common Reason / Solution / Cause of Issue |
| Not able to Start Car | Could Possibly range from - Starter Motor Issue (if only click sound hearing), Ignition Switch, Battery Issue (if car dead and no response after turning on ignition), Spark Plug Issue (however this shows symptoms in ignition days before), Fuel Exhausted or Overheating. In rare cases - the Engine Oil may be leaked due to hit on Oil Filter - which may worse cause in Engine Failure, if attempted to drive. |
| Takes Multiple Attempt to Start Ignition | Battery at near end of Life or not charging or Weak Battery. Other than it - Spark Plug Issue |
| Blinking Instrument Cluster and Car Ignition not turning on | If the Instrument Cluster Sign are Blinking and you facing issue in Turning on car Ignition then do note that Battery has reached end stage and is prudent to replace in Car Battery |
| Car Ignition Not Starting - Has Click Sound or Lights, Music System and everything Working but Only Ignition not getting on | Do you Hear Click Noise on an attempt to turn on Ignition. Most Probably the issue is in Starter Motor. Either it could be as simple as wiring gets loosened up or Starter Motor get heats up quickly. Get it checked out from a Mechanic |
| Car Started but not Moving | Do check first if Parking Brake up. If not - Issue could range due to Low Fuel Pressure Issue which may happen due to Blocked Fuel Filter or Fuel Pump Issue. Else, if check Engine Light on - it could also be due to Engine Oil Leakage or ECU Malfunction. Other reasons could also be due to Clutch Plate Failure which may not move the car a inch or Low on Gear Transmission Fluid or Worst Transmission System Failure |
| AMT Unit not Working / AMT Fault Indicator | In some of AMT Auto Gear Shift Cars - sometimes one may observe that AMT unit displays fault or does not work. Most possible reason is when Clutch gets overheated due to continuous driving on hill drive or with parking brake up or too much of stop-acceleration. This is a temporary phenomenon and best to use car in Manual Mode or let it cool off by stopping car for 20 to 30 Minutes and then start again |
| Problem of OverHeating on Car | A common reason for Overheating is - Engine Fan not working or Low Coolant or Leakage in Engine Oil. Else if, wherein Fan is working and Engine Oil and Coolant levels are optimum - Air Filter also needs to be checked as if blocked by Dust. On Major cases, Thermostat or Radiator issue could be there - if both coolant is topped up and air filter is clean |
| Diesel Car Jerks, Problem in Cold Start, Black Smoke | Get EGR and Diesel Injector Clean up. Also get Fuel Filter replaced and ask for clean up of Catalytic Converter as it may get complete jammed causing issue of Jerks with Rough on Start and possibly black smoke too |
| Sudden loss of Power, RPM turns to Zero, Engine Stopped. Later on after 2 minues - car behaves normally | Most Common reason is that Error Codes in ECU which needs Updation. Do note ECU is like brain of car, which controls Engine Power, Idling, Ignition Timing, Exhaust, Sensors and every complicated system of Car. Visit your Car dealer and get ECU Diagnostic done to remove error codes and update the software for better functioning. |
| Noise from Engine | Low Engine Oil or Heavily Clogged Oil Filter can cause Noise from Engine. Do check if Engine Mount is broken as a probability for it too, Loose or Misaligned Timing Belt may also cause noise from Engine. If you hearing some kind of chan-chan sound and goes off while pressing clutch then it can be from Clutch Bearing which is an inexpensive component and cost around Rs 600 to 1000 in most of the mass market cars. Caution: Do not Drive when Engine Oil is below the Minimum Mark - it may Seize in the Engine causing very Expensive repair work |
| Car Started losing Pickup at specified 2000 rpm / 2500 rpm / 3000 rpm | Most Likely the issue as known is observed in Diesel Cars or Petrol Cars which comes with Turbo-charger. If your car has Turbo - you need to check for Inlet Pipe which may be lose or get Air Intake Filter checked - which may be clogged with Dirt. In extreme cases - get Turbo checked from a Professional Workshop, indicating an issue with Turbocharger |
| Metal Grinding Noise under Bonnet | Likely be the Faulty Clutch Bearing or in Old cars Timing Belt tension not adjusted which may cause metal grinding chan chan chan sound - either intermittently or continually |
| Noise from Power Steering at all times | Most likely cause is that Power Steering Fluid is low. Get it replaced or top up. In some other cases - based on sound type - it can be due to Loose Drive Bellt or remote possibility of Power Steering Pump Failure |
| Hand Brake / Parking Brake Sign Illuminated | Hand Brake Sign if illuminated despite of hand brake down indicates Brake Fluid Leakage. Contact Dealer Workshop immediately as driving car can be risky in event of no braking effectiveness |
| Steering not Turning Back to Center | If steering not returning back to center then most likely is the alignment issue with Caster angle setting of the car is wrong. Get alignment done and ensure that the model variant matches with recommended alignment setting in 3d Machine displayed Model Variant |
| Blue Smoke / White Smoke in Car | Blue Smoke Indicates that Engine Oil is getting burned due to possible Engine Valve Issue, Worn out Piston Ring. While, White Smoke on start up is Okay, but even if white smoke happening even after driving car for 5 minutes or so indicates that Coolant is getting leaked and getting Mixed with Engine Oil. Should check out Coolant and immediately get car towed or inspected by Workshop. As low Coolant or Low Engine Oil can seize in Car Engine |
| AC not Cooling in Car | Most Common reason is either the Condenser and AC Evaporator Coils might be full of Dirt - may need cleaning or AC Gas might be leaked or finished, the gas needs to be refilled. In Cars with = Cabin Air Filter installed - it could be full of dust and needs immediate replacement. Know more details on - Car AC Problems |
| Grinding Noise from AC on Starting AC Compressor | If AC creating Grinding Noise on starting then AC Clutch Pulley Bearing turns faulty and would likely need replacement. |
| Squealing Noise from Engine Bonnet When AC is Switched On | If there is squeal kind of Noise Goes when AC Switch is turned on, visually check for AC Compressor Belt - it may be loosened up. Get it tightened and also check for Drive Belt too. It may be possible that due to Wear & Tear - a replacement would rather be a better option |
| Car Battery Down - Push Start a Car | First and Foremost - Advisable to take help of Mechanic or 24x7 Assistance to Jump Start Car Battery by charging. In case you are unable to get help and has to push start car - Get Car on Second Gear, push the clutch completely. Take help of 2 People to Push the car from the back, now as the car gains momentum and is in motion, keep the accelerator pushing and simultaneously takes your foot away from the clutch. It will shudder and Start the Car. Do not turn off the car. Caution & Disclaimer - In Modern Age Cars, it may fail in the catalytic Converter. To be used only as an exception as last resort when unable to get on Roadside Assistance based on above caution. The method does not work on Automatic Cars |
| Water Leakage Inside Cabin from Roof Light | Probably Antenna nut could be loose or the rubber cushion on antenna is worn out (Applicable for Cars where Antenna is just over and above the roof light) |
| Car Feels like Stuck in Some Gear | Check in Gear Transmission Oil, it could possibly be low or There could Probably be Air in Clutch System which needs Bleed to remove excess air or the Clutch Adjustment needs to be done |
| Not able to Shift some Gears or Shift all Gears at alll | Possibly the Clutch Master Cylinder and Clutch Plate Assembly Issue. Check it for Replacement |
| Car Engine Cranks but does not Start | A common reason to it is very low battery, almost finished fuel. Also is the need to check Glow Plug (in Diesel Car) or Spark Plug (in Petrol car) |
| Car Engine Block Damage | Visually inspected with a Crack in Engine Block or when Engine Oil mixing with Coolant. Check Coolant. Some other causes are Engine Overheating, Excess Smoke or Car Performance issues with Speed, Pickup |
| While Driving - Car Steering suddenly turns hard when switched on AC | Stop the Car. Turn On Ignition and under Bonnet - check Belt Movements. Would likely be Crankshaft Pulley Issue or Probably the AC Belts are worn off and need Immediate replacement. Turn off AC for any further damage |
| Car Starts Vibrating or Jerks | Possibly happens due to Misaligned Tyres, Incorrect Tyre pressure giving a feel of vibration on potholes, Get Wheel Alignment and Balancing done. Check Tyre Pressure. If Heavy Jerk happening after filling Fuel then possibly Fuel Contamination where Fuel filter are clogged or put in wrong Fuel (Petrol in Diesel or vice versa) or Else your car Fuel Injector gone bad |
| Vibration in Steering Wheel | Could potentially be related to Suspension (Steering Tie Rod, Ball Joint). Engine Mount been broken. Alignment out with Balancing issue. Also check the Wheels, Axle which can also cause vibration in Steering Wheel of Car |
| Car Steering Starts Vibrating on High Speed | Did you checked Tyre Pressure of the car. Most common reason is OverInflated Tyre. Also check your Wheels - any bent in it can cause Vibration in Steering wheel when car gains speed. Some other reasons could be related to Suspension - Car Steering Rack Bent which can cause Wobbling on High Speed or Your Car Engine Mount are cracked or broken which can cause Vibration. |
| Car Steering Vibration on applying Brakes | Get Brake shoe, Brake Caliper, Brake Pads inspected in. Also could likely be related to Brake Rotor Disc in Front which may be out of shape. |
| Car Steering is Shaking, Noise from Wheels even on Slow Speed | Is your Car Driven more than 1.5 Lakh Kms. In most Probable Case - Wheel Bearings needs replacement. Check Steering Rack too. |
| Burning Smell | If a burning kind of smell is observed, while pressing Clutch then most probable cause is Clutch Plate only or after heavy traffic where brakes are used too much then can come from Excessive Heat in Braking. Best Solution is to stop the car for 30 minutes or so and then drive |
| Car Not Accelerating or Slow in Pickup | If you finding a slow acceleration or rather pathetic pickup - reason could be range to number of factors. But, for self diagnosis could you check in - when was the last time - Air Filter & Fuel Filter were replaced, Spark Plug & Fuel Injectors were cleaned. In Rare Cases - for very heavy usage cars - Engine Decarbonizing is done to remove Carbon deposits |
| Jerk on Start, White smoke, Engine Knocking and Car Pickup poor with Performance lower | Most Possible reason is that Fuel supply is Inadequate which may cause Engine Misfiring thus jerks, white smoke. This is due to Fuel Injectors been Clogged. If you visit Dealer this will ask you to replace in Fuel Injector which costs around Rs 50000+ for set of 4 Injectors. If there is no leakage and possibly due to clogged Injectors - An alternate way is high pressure cleaning of Fuel Injectors and Fuel Injection system which costs around rs 7000 - 8000 in after-market workshop and may rectify the issue. Contact in reputed 'A' Grade after-market service center of Bosch, Mahindra First Choice, Carnation |
| Diesel Car Slow in Pickup | Does your car ride and handling has also deteriorated. Most Probably EGR Valve can be blocked. EGR and Intercooler Cleaning generally resolves the issue in most of the Diesel Car |
| Low Mileage, Poor Performance, Excessive Smoke | Most Likely Fuel Filter Assembly be clogged and may need replacement or Worse need Expensive Turbo Replacement. Though - Dealer claim in Turbo Issue in Diesel Cars - but Turbocharger does not fail in like this - Best to go in with Diagnostic Scanning Check to rule out Turbo Issue |
| Low Fuel Efficiency | Low Mileage is a common issue - Reasons could be many - Clogged Fuel Lines, Carbon Deposits, Dusty Air Filter, Throttle Body full of dust and needs Cleaning, Jammed Oil Filter, Contaminated Engine Oil, Clogged Injectors etc - It can be only known - if you go in with proper Service - Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, Engine Oil Change along with Air Filter Cleaning or Replacement, Injector Cleaning, Engine Decarbonizing |
| Car Fitted with CNG - Power Loss, Slow Pickup, Car Stopping on Low Speed | Check Tuning - if CNG Fitment is incorrect - it leads to all these issues. If Tuning is correct, read second part |
| CNG Cars - needs on time servicing and repairs. Has CNG Filter been changed at 15K - 20K Kms, is low pressure CNG Filter changed at 30K - 40K Kms. If CNG Filters are not changed - it build up all these problems. Along with it - ensure Air Filter are cleaned every 5000 Kms and replaced at 10K Kms. Also - Spark Plug should be cleaned once a year and be replaced at 15K - 20K Kms. It will control the problem in the car | |
| Car Gets Stopped in Rain | Is the water logging on roads, in most probable circumstance - the water could have gone in Starter or Exhaust Pipe. Let it Park on a safe height and get the Engine dried up. Call a Mechanic. Caution: Do not do Multiple attempt to Turn on Ignition on Water Logged roads - it may create HydroStatic Lock causing Expensive repair work |
| High RPM in Tachometer on Starting Car | Actually its no Problem, if it happens only initially after a car is Started over overnight halt. Here ECU Sensor tries to heat engine and rpm levels drop within 30 seconds to Normal. If it does not check Problem lies mostly in Throttle Body / Oxygen Sensor in Emission |
| Brakes Very Tight on Pressing | In Most Likely Scenario, Brake Booster has Got Faulty turning Brake Pedal into Fairly Hard Pedal to Press in. Check it along with Vacuum Hose - there could be a Problem in it too. |
| Brakes Not Effective, Weak Brakes, Not Responsive | Get the Brake Fluid replaced as either its low or contaminated which is causing bubbles in brake fluid and its strength is loosened. Do also brake bleed done after replacing Brake Fluid. Also - get Brake Pads checked - it might be wear out enough to provide effective braking experience |
| Clutch Tight on Pressing | Most of the Modern cars have Hydraulic Clutches. Does the Issue happen, after Changing Clutch Fluid. If yes - get Clutch Bleed done to remove air in the system. If not - Check Clutch Fluid levels. Most of the Clutch plates do have good Life and does not fail within 25,000 Kms, do not change it upfront atleast under 40,000 Kms - unless you are a bad driver who puts his left foot on the clutch itself, while driving the car. Hopefully, it should work out in most of the cases and may not need replacement of Clutch Plate |
| For Older cars, grease it so as to soften the system | |
| Car Tilt Sideways | When car does not move in straightline or tilt sideways during driving, the most probable issue is inaccurate Tyre pressure or misaligned tyres and needs Wheel Alignment. In other extreme cases, the bushes, coil springs would need replacement |
Malfunction Light Indicators
Does your Car Showing Any Warning Light in the Dashboard !!
Know Interpretation of: Warning Light Symbols in Cars
Jump Start Car in Case of Dead Battery
Check Engine Light
If its steady in that case -
a) Check for Fuel Cap - is it Tightly been closed or is loose to be opened. After closing it Tightly check again the Engine Light
b) Clogged Air Filter and Dirty Spark Plug - can cause the issue - is periodic servicing done on time ?
c) Faulty O2 Sensor or EGR Valve Issue to Expensive Converter Issue in that case Car Dealer Workshop using its diagnostic tools can identify the issue
Note: If Engine Light is blinking - it indicates a serious Flaw in Transmission System - get Car Towed to Nearest Workshop without driving Car on Own - Engine Can get Permanently damaged - if car is driven on yourself
Oil Light
If Oil Light is turned on - do not drive the car and neither turn the ignition on :-
Check Dipstick to check Engine Oil Levels -
> Look for any oil droplets under the car - there could be Oil Signs indicating Leak
> If Engine Oil is low - it may indicate a Leakage in Gasket / Seal and can be done easily by the service center. Leakage is the most Probable Cause for it
> If Engine Oil is well within range - it implies Low Oil Pressure - which may happen due to Wear & Tear of Piston / Rings - but it generally happens in very old cars or cars where due care is not taken up by skipping periodic servicing and rash driving
Battery Light
It indicates low charging and commonly happens when
> Battery connections either gets loose or Battery is Out of Life
> Corrosion in Battery Cables or Bad Alternator
> Battery is Out of Life
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