Reasons why car won't start, then starts next day
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Malfunctioning Battery
If your battery is dead, then you will be experiencing a rapid-fire while turning the ignition to start your car. This could be due to a malfunctioning or faulty alternator or a low battery charge. Check your battery output voltage with a simple tool, the voltmeter. If your battery reads less than 12, or 12.45 voltage, then you need to get your damaged battery checked by a technician.
Your battery could not be transmitting power due to electrolyte levels as a second reason – the solution for this issue is to recharge your electrolytes. You need to decide if you want to repair or replace the battery in your current situation and depending on the type of car you have. If your battery is not working correctly, this can mean your car won’t start, then starts the next day.
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Damaged Alternator
What does it mean if you still hear the clicking while turning the ignition key? Well, unfortunately, this could mean a damaged alternator. The car won’t be able to start if the alternator can’t provide enough voltage output necessary. The only solution to this is to fix or replace the alternator. If you do not fix the alternator, this means your car won't start, then starts next day.
Symptoms of Damaged Alternator
The most common sign and noticeable symptom there is a problem with your car clicking and not starting is a battery-shaped dashboard light. Typically, this warning light comes on when you turn the ignition and turns off when the engine is started, and you are driving your vehicle. If you experience your car won’t start, then starts the next day, the dashboard light can remain illuminated and show an issue with your alternator.
Second, if your car won’t start, then starts the next day, this can be due to an alternator voltage leak. The alternator plays a vital role in converting currents from the alternator into a direct current. Over time, the electricity within the alternator can run out, causing dimming lights. We recommend using a voltmeter to ensure there are no leakages and prevent your car from starting consistently.
Lastly, If you hear loud noises when your alternator is running, then the belt or pulley is usually the problem. The belt could be misaligned with the pulley, causing excess friction, grinding, and overheating. If the noise continues after replacing the belt, then you need to replace the alternator to prevent the issue of “car won’t start, then starts the next day.”
Alternator Replacement Price
The average price to replace an alternator with a remanufactured part is approximately $400. A remanufactured alternator on a domestic car ranges from $300-$500, including the parts and labor/time required to install it. A new alternator’s price can be a lot pricier, ranging from about $500-$1,000, including the labor to install. Replacing the alternator and keeping every single one of your car’s internal components in working condition can prevent the “car won’t start, then starts next day” condition in your vehicle.
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Slow Drain of Power
If your car doesn’t stop clicking, but you have determined that your battery is running smoothly and properly, the problem could actually be the parasitic drain. A parasitic battery drain is when there is an abnormal discharge of power after shutting off the engine. This can be caused by a short circuit or a malfunctioning electrical device that remains working even when it should be in the ‘off’ position.
You should try to jumpstart your vehicle to bring it to a garage, where a technician can diagnose the problem and figure out a solution for the clicking noise. While they are figuring out the problem with your power supply, they can also see why your car won’t start, then starts the next day.
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Terminal Corrosion
If your car won’t start, then starts the next day, and the battery is working well, the real problem could be terminals’ corrosion. The clicking sound could happen when the starter motor isn’t receiving enough power due to corroded battery terminals. Check the battery under the hood and ensure that the terminals don’t have a green or blue deposit buildup on them.
Also, check for any rust and debris buildup on the battery terminals. If there is any type of buildup or contaminants, you will need to clean your terminals to restore the power supply, bring the engine back to working order, and prevent the clicking sounds from your car. You can purchase certain corrosion and rust inhibitors to prevent your car not starting.
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Loose Battery Cables
The clicking sound could also be due to a frayed wire or loose battery cable ends. Loose battery ends can interfere with the connection, preventing the vehicle from starting. If the corroded or loose battery terminals are preventing the car from starting, creating a slow cranking, or making a rapid clicking, you need to fix this issue to prevent the issue of your car won't start, then starts next day.
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Starter Issues
Within a car, there are various issues with the starter that could lead to a high resistance – and therefore, the car cannot start and make a clicking noise. The first thing to check for is a dead starter motor, which results from a damaged triggering mechanism. If your car won't start, then starts next day, you need to look into the starter system immediately.
The triggering mechanism is composed of the vehicle’s engine management system. Most ignition triggers operate as a magnetic sensor. When the mechanism is triggered, it sends a signal to the ignition module to properly time the ignition. An incorrect trigger signal to the computer will throw off the entire engine.
The triggering mechanism is also responsible for the car not starting. Some engine systems use the ignition trigger to start the entire engine system, which will be disabled if there is no base signal for the computer. If the car’s triggering mechanism is faulty, it won’t be able to trigger the starter motor.
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Starter Solenoid Problems
The starter solenoid is an electromagnet that is responsible for engaging the starter motor of an internal combustion engine. The function is to actuate the contactor, which is the relay designed for a large electric current. Most modern cars use the starter solenoid to move the starter pinion into a position of engagement with the engine’s ring gear. If the starter solenoid is not working correctly, your car won’t start, then starts the next day.
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Damaged Engine
Another reason your car won’t start is a clicking noise is a locked-up or damaged engine. An engine can seize if your car’s internal components get locked up, and the crankshaft isn’t able to turn on the bearings. If the pistons, rod bearings, or piston rings overheat and become fused together, the crankshaft won’t be able to turn on the bearings. The most common cause of a seized engine is an insufficient amount of oil.
If your car won’t start, then starts the next day, you need to look into a locked-up engine or too little engine oil to lubricate the internal parts.
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Insufficient Oil
An insufficient amount of oil might happen if there is a problem stopping the oil from circulating, or if you run out of oil in your engine. The lack of oil will cause engine components to rub and cause friction. This creates heat, and in extreme cases, the heat can cause parts to weld together in inappropriate places in your car.
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Stuck Ignition Switch
If your car won’t start, then it starts the next day, which can sign a failing ignition switch. This can occur if the ignition switch might continuously be in the “on” position, which can consistently give power to the fuel pump and the ignition system, overloading the sensor and preventing the car from starting consistently.
The ignition switch stuck can go hand in hand with the car having starter problems. If the ignition cylinder has broken down over time, you might notice that the ignition switch will not work normally. If the ignition cylinder breaks, this might prevent the vehicle from starting when you turn the ignition key.
If your car won’t start, then starts the next day, the no-start condition can also result from many other problems in your car. This means you should bring your car to a local mechanic to determine the root cause of the issue. Problems with both the ignition switch and cylinder can indicate a high ignition cylinder replacement cost and cause the “new battery car won’t start just clicks’ condition.
Conclusion
When figuring out why your car won’t start, then starts the next day, this can be due to various reasons in your vehicle – some serious and some not as serious. However, regardless of the severity, you need to fix this issue before it gets any worse!