If your car won’t start, but the lights and radio work fine, it could be one of several issues. For example, your car battery could be dead. When the radio, dashboard lights, headlights, and other electronics draw power while the engine doesn’t, it has to do with the amount of power each device draws and what could be interfering with the path.

Don’t rule out the possibility of a dead battery just because some electrical components are working. Batteries can sometimes run electronic devices on a low charge. Headlights, radios, and other automotive electronics draw very few amps, usually no more than 20 to 30 amps. On the other hand, engine starters draw up to 300 amps at a time, which is too much power for a low-charge battery.

If the battery tests low with a hydrometer or fails a load test, it needs to be charged. The problem is solved if the battery accepts a charge or jump from another battery and the vehicle starts. It could be a blown fuse, a broken ignition switch, or a bad starter if the battery won't start.

If the battery is in good condition, check for a blown fuse or fusible link. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to find the location of the fuse box, then open it. If there is no power to the vehicle, check the fuse for a metal wire. If the metal wire inside the plastic housing is cut or damaged, a blown fuse is preventing power from going to the starter relay or solenoid.