Rob'e Mans European Auto Repair

Why Your Car Won’t Start (Top 5 Causes Explained)

Turn the key and nothing happens? It’s one of the most frustrating situations for any driver.

At Rob’e Mans European Auto Repair, these are the most common causes we diagnose:
Dead or weak battery
Failing starter
Alternator problems
Fuel system issues
Ignition or engine faults

Some are quick fixes—but others can lead to costly repairs if ignored.

The key is getting an accurate diagnosis the first time.

Don’t wait until you’re stranded.

Call or visit Rob’e Mans European Auto Repair today and let our expert technicians get you back on the road with confidence.

Coolant Replacement at Rob'e Mans European Auto Repair in Birmingham, Al

Your cooling system’s job is to keep your engine cool. Coolant (also called antifreeze) mixed with water flows through your engine and absorbs heat. The mixture then flows out to the radiator where it’s cooled by air flowing over the radiator. From there the cooled mix circulates back through the engine to absorb more heat.

Coolant, or antifreeze, is specially formulated to keep your engine safe in a wide range of environmental and operating temperatures.

Without coolant, the metal engine parts would expand so much that the engine would seize up and stop running. Expensive parts could be broken or warp so badly they would have to be replaced. It could even be so bad that the whole engine is ruined and has to be replaced.

Also, if it’s freezing outside, the water in your engine could freeze while your vehicle is sitting out in the cold.

Therefore, check coolant levels frequently and have your cooling system inspected for leaks. Also, your manufacturer has a maintenance requirement for draining and replacing your coolant. These recommendations can vary widely, so check your owner’s manual or ask your service advisor.

The reason you need to change the coolant is that it has additives in it to protect the cooling system. As you can imagine, with all the heat, the cooling system’s a pretty harsh environment. The additives keep the fluid from becoming corrosive and damaging the radiator and other cooling system components. Over time, the additives are depleted, and the coolant just has to be replaced. A simple Ph test can measure the coolant’s acidity.

You may have noticed that there are different colors of antifreeze: it is very important that you use the correct type. The different coolant types are different colors, so you don’t mix them up. Manufacturers use different materials to make the cooling system, and they require different types of antifreeze to protect them.

So, check with your service advisor or owner’s manual for the right kind because using the wrong coolant can void the warranty for your cooling system.

Give us a call

Alternator Replacement at Rob'e Mans

Many BIRMINGHAM drivers have probably noticed a bunch of warning lights on their dash when they start their engine. They flash on to test the circuits and then go off if everything's OK. One of the warning lights looks like a car battery. Its job is to tell you if your vehicle battery's not charging properly.

BIRMINGHAM motorists probably know that their battery stores electricity, enough to start the engine and get moving. But that's about it, you can only get a few miles or kilometers on battery power alone. You need an alternator to generate enough electricity to run your vehicle engine and power your electrical accessories like the stereo, power seats, heater fan, on-board computers and so on. On top of that, the alternator needs to recharge your battery. So when your vehicle alternator isn't working, there isn't enough electricity for all of those things. When your alternator fails, you aren't going very far.

So why would your vehicle alternator not work? Usually they've simply worn out. Alternators are driven by your serpentine belt and spin 2 to 3 times faster than the engine, that's a lot of work. The bearings wear out, as do the copper wire coils and magnets that generate the electricity.

There's no sense in hobbling along on AL streets with an alternator that's not working properly. It will fail at some point and leave you stranded on the road. Get a bad alternator replaced as soon as you can. When you come to Rob'e Mans for an alternator replacement, our friendly and knowledgeable staff will install an alternator that meets your 's specifications. Some BIRMINGHAM drivers use a lot of additional electrical gizmos in the vehicle, like computers, DVD players, power inverters and such or may regularly tow a camp trailer with a battery that recharges as you drive. If that sounds like you, ask your service advisor about upgrading to a more heavy-duty alternator to meet your needs.

Give us a call.