By Abschleppdienst Altun, Bremen. Last updated:
In short
Usually the battery is flat. According to the ADAC breakdown statistics it is the cause in around 45 per cent of all breakdowns. If it only clicks, a jump start often helps. If the starter motor turns but the engine doesn’t fire, the car belongs in a garage.
You only hear a click, or nothing
That points to a flat battery, especially in the cold, after short journeys or if the lights were left on. If the display and central locking are weak too, it is almost certain. A jump start usually helps here.
The starter motor turns, but the engine doesn’t fire
Then the battery is often not the problem. Check that you have enough fuel. If the engine still doesn’t fire, the cause is often the ignition, the fuel supply or sensors. That belongs in a garage.
Warning lights on the display
If the engine management light stays on or a red warning appears, don’t try to start the car repeatedly. Several attempts to start put a strain on the battery and starter motor.
Jump starts: yes, but do it properly
Modern cars have sensitive electronics. Incorrectly connected cables can cause expensive damage. Check the owner’s handbook before you connect cables yourself, or call us.
These details help us on the phone
You don’t need to know the fault. Just describe what you see and hear, for example: ‘My Golf is in the car park at the Weserpark, it only clicks when I try to start it, and the display is dark.’
- Location
- Make and model
- What happens when you try to start it
- Whether any warning lights are on