Car won't start — battery or something else?
Turn the key and your car won't start? Don't panic — in most cases it's a flat or old battery, especially on cold mornings. In this guide you first do a quick self-check (is it clicking? do the lights come on? does the starter turn over?), see the other possible causes and learn what you'd better not do. AutoJet in Almere tests the battery, diagnoses the real cause with equipment and replaces or repairs — you see the price up front by license plate. Open Mon–Sat 11:00–20:00.
Quick self-check: what exactly does your car do?
Before you replace anything, listen and look carefully. What the car does when you try to start it often already points to the problem:
- Rapid clicking and the engine won't turn over? That usually means a flat or weak battery — too little power for the starter motor.
- Dashboard lights barely come on, or not at all? Also a sign of a flat battery or a bad battery connection.
- Does the starter turn over briskly but the engine won't fire? Then the battery is probably fine and the problem lies elsewhere — ignition, fuel or sensors.
- Completely silent, no sound or light at all? Think of a fully flat battery, a loose battery terminal or the starter motor.
This check won't tell you the exact cause, but it helps us — and you — get to the right side faster.
The most common cause: a flat or old battery
By far the most starting problems come from the battery. A battery lasts around 4 to 5 years on average; if it's older, it can suddenly be too weak on a cold morning. Cold is the main culprit: at low temperatures a battery delivers less power, while the engine actually needs more to start.
Other signs of a weak battery: the car has been starting more slowly lately, the lights dim when you start, or it wouldn't go after sitting overnight. Unsure about its age or condition? Have the battery tested — it's quick and stops you replacing other things unnecessarily.
Other possible causes
If the battery is fine, the starting problem may lie elsewhere. The most common other causes:
- Starter motor — it clicks but won't turn over, or works erratically.
- Alternator (battery not charging) — the battery keeps going flat because it's no longer topped up while driving.
- Ignition & spark plugs — worn plugs so the engine won't start or is hard to start.
- Fuel — too little fuel, a fuel pump problem or an issue in the supply system.
- Immobiliser or key — a flat key battery or a key that isn't recognised.
To find out which one it is, we connect the car to our diagnostic equipment and read the fault codes — no guessing, just measuring.
What you'd better not do
A few things only make the problem worse:
- Cranking endlessly. If you keep turning the key you'll drain the battery completely, overheat the starter motor and unburnt fuel can damage the catalytic converter. Not going after two or three attempts? Stop and have it checked.
- Replacing the battery on a hunch. If the real cause is the alternator or starter, you'll be stranded again with a new battery in no time.
- Jump-starting incorrectly. Wrongly connected cables can damage the electronics.
In doubt? Call or message us — we can often point you the right way remotely.
How AutoJet helps: test, diagnose, fix
At AutoJet in Almere we test the battery first and diagnose the real cause with equipment — no guessing. If the battery is dead, we replace it; if the problem lies elsewhere, we repair that. Enter your license plate and we see the make, model and details of your car and give you a clear price up front.
A few common items:
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Computer / engine diagnosis free with a repair | €70 |
| Battery replacement incl. fitting | €195 |
| Spark plugs | €99 |
| Labour | €70 / hour |
| Starter motor / alternator | by license plate |
We speak Ukrainian, Russian and English. You never pay for work you haven't approved in advance.
See also: Maintenance & diagnosis in Almere · Blog
Frequently asked questions about a car that won't start
My car won't start — is it always the battery?
Not always, but it's by far the most common cause, especially on cold mornings or with a battery older than 4 to 5 years. Rapid clicking and the engine won't turn over, or lights barely coming on, points to the battery. If the starter turns over briskly but the engine won't fire, the problem is probably elsewhere. We test the battery and diagnose the real cause with equipment.
How long does a car battery last?
Around 4 to 5 years on average. If your battery is older, it can suddenly be too weak to start the car on a cold morning. Has the car been starting more slowly lately, or do the lights dim when starting? Then have the battery tested — it's quick.
What does a new battery cost at AutoJet?
A battery replacement costs €195, including fitting. We first test whether the battery really is the cause; if it turns out to be something else (for example the alternator or starter), we'll say so honestly and give you a price up front by license plate. You never pay for work you haven't approved.
What does it cost to find the cause?
The computer / engine diagnosis costs €70 and is free if you then have the repair done with us. We read the fault codes with our equipment so we don't guess but measure exactly what's going on.
Can I keep trying to start it?
Better not. Cranking endlessly drains the battery completely, overheats the starter motor and unburnt fuel can damage the catalytic converter. Not going after two or three attempts? Stop and have it checked — feel free to call or message us.
Can AutoJet replace the starter motor or alternator too?
Yes. If the diagnosis shows the cause is the starter motor or the alternator, we replace it. You see the price up front by license plate so there are no surprises. Our labour rate is €70 per hour.
Car won't start? We'll find the cause.
Battery test · diagnosis €70 (free with a repair) · battery replacement €195 · price up front by license plate