My car cranks but will not start

Hi, this is Bo, an auto expert on RepairPal's Car Genius team! So you tightened the battery down and now it cranks but won’t start? That’s a classic case of “I touched one thing and now everything’s broken.” Don’t worry—it’s probably something simple. Start by checking the battery terminals. When you tightened the hold-down, it’s possible the battery shifted and pulled on the cables or loosened a connection. Make sure both terminals are clean, tight, and not cracked at the post. Also, double-check the ground wire—if it’s loose or corroded where it bolts to the chassis, you’ll get crank-no-start all day. If everything looks good there, check your fuses—especially the ones for the fuel pump and ignition system. Sometimes a voltage spike or jolt can pop one when reconnecting or tightening the battery. If you need any further advice or want help finding a trusted RepairPal shop in your area, please feel free to call us at 877-913-1554.