At the start of a particularly busy day, your mind is racing ahead. You are already thinking about that mid-morning meeting, the lunch appointment and the afternoon visit from your accountant. As you turn the key in your car's ignition to pull out of the driveway, you're even thinking about that social gathering after work. Yet suddenly, you come right back down to earth as the car won't start, and all your plans are on hold. What should you do now?

The Root of the Problem

Usually, you can trace this type of failure to either the battery or the alternator and sometimes both. You can go through a process of deduction to narrow it down and you should begin with the battery. How old is this particular unit? If it's been a long time since you replaced it, then it may be long overdue. If you're not very good with general maintenance, this may have exacerbated to the issue.

Battery Issues

With the key in the ignition at the 'on' position but without turning it even further, look at the gauge on the dashboard. Is there any sign of life? Alternatively, turn the windscreen wipers on and see if they can move at all. A sluggish response suggests a further look at the battery.

If you can, get a neighbour to give you a jump-start by connecting cables from their car to yours. Once you've been able to crank your vehicle, let it run for a few minutes and then switch off. With everything disconnected, try to restart your vehicle by itself and if you can, the alternator would appear to be working correctly. During the time that the vehicle was running, the alternator transferred a sufficient amount of power to the battery, but the storage unit is not capable of retaining it for any period of time.

Alternator Signs

If the battery does appear to be working, then the next place to look is the alternator. While the car is running, look at the lights on the dashboard again. Turn on the headlights and have a look at their efficiency. If they appear to be getting dimmer as the car is ticking over, then the alternator is not providing the boost that it should be.

Occasionally, an alternator will give you some early warning signs when it is about to kick the bucket. You may notice a distinct, burning smell due to internal overheating, or it may even make a buzzing noise.

Even Busier

Due to your friendly neighbour, you're going to be able to get to work and deal with your busy schedule. However, add another appointment to your list so that you can buy a new battery or visit a mechanic for alternator repairs.