Car won’t start, but the radio works — causes and fixes

Taking proper care of your car is an efficient way to ensure that it doesn’t develop problems. However, like all machines, your car could act up  You may find it confusing if your car won’t start, but the radio works. 

A few reasons your car won’t start but the radio and sometimes the lights work may be due to a weak or dead battery, a faulty starter solenoid, loose battery terminals, or bad fuel pump. To help you fix the problem, we have prepared a comprehensive list of reasons your car won’t start, but the radio works.

Reasons why your car won’t start but the radio works

Many drivers may get confused and sometimes panic when they try to start their cars, but it doesn’t come on. The reason could be due to one or more of the following.

A dead or weak battery

When you try the ignition, and your car doesn’t start, the first thing you might want to check is the battery. A car battery is responsible for generating the energy needed to power the car. If the battery is weak due to problems with a faulty alternator, the car will refuse to start, but the radio will still work.

Also, when your car battery is dead, the possibility of your car starting falls to zero. Taking a quick look at your battery when your car won’t start is a significant step to finding out if it’s the cause of the problem.

Faulty starter solenoid

The starter solenoid receives electrical current from the battery to start the car when you turn your key in the ignition. When the starter solenoid is faulty or isn’t getting the needed electrical current from the battery, the vehicle cannot start.

In some modern cars, drivers may get a warning signal that the starter solenoid is faulty. However, for vehicles that don’t give off the warning, it is best to have a professional inspect the starter solenoid for signs of a fault.

Loose battery terminals

It is important to note that every bit of a car contributes to its excellent performance. A reason that may likely be overlooked and is a significant contributor to getting your vehicle started is the battery terminals.

Due to usage over a long time and vibrations that the car generates while it is in motion, the battery terminals will likely come loose. When the battery terminals are loose, the connection between the battery and the starter solenoid gets altered, leading to your car not starting, but the radio still functions.

Problem with the ignition switch

The ignition switch is a vital electrical component contributing to your car’s starting. The ignition switch turns on the fuel system, causing power to reach every accessory in the vehicle. A breach in the ignition system can cause your car not to start even though the radio still works.

Also, if the ignition system is faulty, there won’t be any connection between the battery and the starter solenoid, resulting in your car not starting.

Bad fuel pump 

Gasoline is required to get your car started alongside the battery. The gas gets to the engine through the fuel pump. When the fuel pump is faulty, the delivery of gasoline to the engine is compromised, and thus the car won’t start. The problem might be with the fuel pump if your vehicle doesn’t start with sufficient gasoline. Consider replacing it or having it serviced.

Driver errors

Although this may seem far-fetched, driver mistakes or ignorance could also lead to your car not starting yet the radio works. Some modern vehicles are designed not to start if the driver isn’t wearing the seatbelt. This is a safety measure to prevent fatalities. Also, if the vehicle, most likely with an automatic transmission, has the shift knob in drive, the car may not start.

Blown fuse

The fusebox contains different fuses responsible for operating various other car components. A blown a fuse in the box could be why your car isn’t starting, but the radio still works. The ignition switch, starter solenoid, and other components of your car connect to fuses. When the fuses get blown, it prevents these car components from functioning.

Problems with the spark plug

Without various components in a car, the possibility of the car that team is null. The spark plug is essential to start a vehicle and generates a spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture in your engine to start the car. When the spark plug is weak due to usage for a long time, it does not generate the needed spark to start the engine. Also, when the spark plug does not fit firmly, its connection with the engine is faint, so that the car won’t start.

No gas in the tank

Unless you drive an electric or solar-powered car, you need gasoline to start your vehicle. Drivers may not know that they have exhausted the gas in the tank so that the car won’t start. A quick look at the fuel gauge could help notify the driver if they have sufficient gasoline in the tank. Most cars give a warning signifying that the gasoline quantity is too low to get the car started.

Engine problems

A variety of engine problems can cause your car not to start, and a knocked engine is a more severe reason your car won’t start. The problem could arise from overheating, clogged air filters, and old engines. In this case, a total engine replacement will get the car functioning again. However, a knocked engine does not always affect other car components like the radio.

What do I do if my car won’t start, but the radio keeps working?

It is devastating when your car doesn’t start, and the radio and sometimes the lights still work. You might have a critical engagement to meet up with and need to get there immediately. You can take some steps to fix the problem of your car not starting. They include;

Tighten loose battery terminals

Loose battery terminals may be why your car won’t start, but the radio works. To fix this problem, you will have to;

• Completely disconnect the battery
• Use a stiff brush to thoroughly clean off any dirt or rust around the battery terminals
• Wipe off the dirt and rust with a cloth soaked in water
• Reconnect the battery with the connectors and tighten it firmly

Jumpstart weak batteries or replace old ones

If your battery is too weak to start the car, you can jumpstart the battery by hooking it up with another vehicle or connecting it to a charger. However, if your car doesn’t start due to a dead battery, you must replace the old one with a new one. After completing these steps, start the car and leave the engine running for a while to charge the battery. If the battery is not charging, consider servicing or replacing your alternator.

Replace blown fuses and old spark plugs

A blown fuse can contribute to your car not starting, and another to solve the problem, get rid of the blown fuses and replace them with new ones. Also, drivers should replace weak and old spark plugs immediately. When replacing the spark plugs, ensure to tighten them firmly to avoid them from getting loose quickly.

Service or replace fuel pump 

If your car won’t start due to a faulty fuel pump, it is best to have the fuel pump replaced with a new one. However, if you do not desire to replace the fuel pump because it’s still brand new, you can have it serviced. Drain the gas tank and detach the drain plug. Clean thoroughly and replace it with the fuel tank. Your car should start after you have done this. If replacing the fuel pump is difficult for you to carry out on your own, it is advisable to consult a professional mechanic.

Refuel your tank

Gasoline-powered cars do not start when there is insufficient fuel to power up the vehicle. If your car won’t start because you are low on fuel, visit the gas station and have a refill. Your car should start ideally with the gas tank full.

Correct your errors

Drivers should correct errors like the refusal to put on seat belts and leaving the shift knob in the drive when the car is parked immediately.

Our take 

Cars develop different problems as they get used over time. However, drivers can quickly fix some of these problems without spending too much time and money. When your car won’t start, but the radio works, consulting a professional mechanic or following the steps provided will help you fix the problem. Overall, regular car inspections and proper maintenance help reduce the risks of your car developing problems.