Truck Won’t Turn Over? Here’s What You Should Do
Your semi truck won’t turn over? It can be overwhelming being stuck in the middle of a hauling job.
Even if you have been on the road for decades, problems with your truck won’t turn into regular problems overnight. So how to fix a truck that won’t turn over?
That’s why today we’ll show you the main reasons why this happens, along with some actionable steps you can take when dealing with this type of problem.
Reasons Why Your Semi-Truck Won’t Turn Over
There are multiple reasons why your truck won’t turn over. But we can narrow these causes down to three: your battery, alternator, and starter. This is because these electrical components play a key role when starting the engine. If one of these were to fail, your truck won’t start.
We’ll talk about how these components get your truck’s charging and starting system up and running:
Semi-Truck Batteries
Batteries are the primary source of power for your truck’s starting system as they are the ones that provide energy to the rest of the electrical system. The starter battery is used to start your truck whenever you press the starter button on your ignition.
So, you can expect that your truck won’t start when having a weak or dead battery. That’s why drivers need to know the lifespan of their truck batteries.
Another reason the truck won’t start is because the starter battery is not attached to the truck. If the starter doesn’t have a battery, it will need to be replaced. Look under your truck next to the driver’s seat and behind the back seat.
You will see a black starter battery.
If your truck won’t start because there is a dead battery, check your plug wires. They should be facing away from the security system. If they are already bent, they need to be replaced.
If you don’t know how to do this, ask someone at your local auto parts store or your dealer. They will have the tools you need to do the job.
Here are some reasons why you might count on a weak battery:
- Your battery isn’t charging properly.
- It has loose cables.
- There are parasitic loads that drain the battery.
- The battery terminals were subject to corrosion.
- Your truck is experiencing a reduced alternator output.
- The truck battery experiences vibration.
Routine checkups can help you know when it’s time to replace your battery, so you don’t have to face any situation where your truck won’t start.
Truck Alternator might also be an issue
Along with batteries, alternators are essential to starting your engine as they take mechanical energy and send it back to the motor. As a result, they end up recharging the battery.
Alternators go bad for multiple reasons, such as overloading the charging system, leaks, or jump-starting the truck wrongly.
Semi-Truck Starter Motor
Lastly, we have the starter motors, which make sure the engine turns during ignition. In other words, it’s the one in charge of starting the car. Moreover, semi-truck starters also help protect the motor.
A bad truck starter can come from varied reasons, including faulty electrical connections and stiff solenoid switches. You can expect these problems to rise after traveling between 100,000 and 150,000 miles with your semi-truck.
Other invisible reasons why your truck won’t turn over
There are more reasons why your truck won’t turn over that usually are invisible for non-experienced people.
The good news is that you can find this information here. Just keep reading.
A cracked or damaged starter is another reason to consider
Usually this occurs during cold weather when the engine is cold, and it can take several hours for the starter to warm up enough to start your car.
Check to make sure that the temperature is between 65- and 75-degrees Fahrenheit. If it is not, then the reason your truck won’t start could be a coolant leak.
Check your coolant levels in your engine coolant tank. If the level is low, then the leak is coming from the solenoid.
If your truck won’t start because the starter has worn or damaged join date, there could be several things that have happened to it.
One could be a low starting point, which causes the starter to stick in the beginning. Another reason might be a low starting engine temperature, which causes the engine to shut off before the starter has reached full temperature.
Low tire pressure is also a common reason since tires are usually about three hundred degrees Fahrenheit when they are new.
If none of those reasons is the problem, then your truck won’t turn over because the problem is beyond the starter.
This can be determined by seeing if the starter is engaging or disengaging the vehicle. If it engages, then something is wrong with your wiring, or the starter needs to be repaired.
Another reason your truck won’t turn over is over-heating.
The first step you should take is to check the coolant level. It should be at least at the “full” mark, if not more.
If it is not at the “full” mark, you need to add more coolant and make sure it is topped off. If you overheat, then your truck will stop properly, but you may end up burning something as well. Either way, call your mechanic to fix it right away.
What Should You Do When Dealing with This Issue
The best thing to do is call a professional to get your truck back on the road. However, there are other things you can do in the meantime that’ll help you pinpoint the exact reason your truck won’t start.
Find out why your semi-truck won’t turn over with these steps:
- Start by checking the sensors and cables.
- See if your glow plugs lights turn on.
- Look at your ignition lock.
When your semi-truck won’t turn over, it can take a big toll on your schedule. Nevertheless, by keeping all these tips in mind, you can be sure that you’ll take the right steps to deal with this problem. Remember that you can count on the experts of LV Road Tec for 24-hour road assistance no matter where you are.