What does 'won't crank' mean?
A no-crank condition means the engine is not being turned by the starter motor when the driver attempts to start the vehicle.
This is different from a crank-no-start condition, where the starter turns the engine but the engine does not run.
Common causes
- Weak or discharged battery
- Poor battery terminals
- Bad ground connection
- Faulty starter motor
- Starter relay or fuse problem
- Ignition switch or start-button problem
- Park/neutral safety switch
- Clutch-start switch on manual vehicles
- Immobilizer or security authorization problem
Start with the basics
Battery voltage, terminal condition, grounds, starter power supply, and starter control signals are important early checks.
A systematic electrical diagnosis is much more reliable than repeatedly replacing the battery or starter without testing.