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How to Fix A Non-Runner Car? What to Do with A Car That Doesn’t Run?

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If you're looking for how to fix a non-runner car? You need to learn how to dismantle this car, create a list of damaged components, shop for used components replacements, replace these components, reassemble the vehicle, and give it a test drive. Keep in mind that fixing a non runner car is not an easy job, and most automotive experts recommend that you sell this car instead. Cash Cars Buyer guarantees to buy your non runner car and pay the top dollars along with free towing! 

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Most automotive experts recommend selling any non runner car to prevent dealing with major headaches trying to fix it.

However, some customers were interested in giving it a try and learning more about how to fix a non runner car?

This article provides you with detailed step-by-step guidance on how to fix a non runner car? Keep in mind that the process is not easy, and it takes a lot of time and effort. There are situations where it can be extremely challenging to get your non runner car to work again.

Even if you could, you need to evaluate the situation and see if it's worth fixing your non runner car or not. If it's more of a fun experience to learn and enhance your mechanical skill sets, it might be OK. However, if you're planning for a better approach and a cheaper option for saving your non runner car, you’d better sell it to Cash Cars Buyer instead


What is a non runner car?

Before we dive into the details about fixing a non runner car, we must understand what the definition means and what is considered a non runner car.

According to automotive experts, a non runner car is a car that doesn't run due to a major mechanical issue resulting from a car accident or any other reason.

In most scenarios, non runner cars are not allowed to be driven in public ways, and if you're planning to move this vehicle from one destination to another, you must tow it instead of driving it even if the car starts.

Non running issues are very complicated, especially for those who have good experience dealing with major mechanical problems and can find some workarounds to deal with the problem. However, they can be a big headache to inexperienced drivers who don't have any previous experience finding some workarounds or fixing their non runner cars. 

How to fix a non runner car?

Most automotive experts recommend selling any non runner car instead of dealing with the major mechanical problems to get this vehicle going. However, one might ask, “how to fix a non runner car?”

It might be worth giving it a shot and trying to get the non runner car to work. However, you need to be careful about whether it's worth fixing your non runner car or not.

Here are some of the recommended suggestions to fix your non runner car, which depends heavily on your cars specific situation:  

  • Dismantle any damaged areas 

The first step in fixing your non runner car is to dismantle any damaged areas. It is recommended that you take pictures because it can be complicated to put things together without referencing.

It is never recommended to cut any wires, even those who got stuck in or under some of the components. Putting wires together can be a little complicated, and therefore, keep things as is when it comes to wire connections. 

If you don't have previous experience fixing your non runner car, you always need to keep a car manual handy next to you. 

Your vehicle's owner’s manual has good recommendations and things to refer to if you get lost in the middle of the repair. It can also provide you with guidance on putting things together and assembling them properly without damaging any other component.

Finally, do not throw away any damaged components until you’re sure it is worthless, and it needs replacement. Even if the part is damaged, you can use it as a reference when shopping for a new one to compare it to the old one and ensure that you're installing the right component. 

  • Save all fluids 

Even if your car is non runner, this doesn't mean that everything is completely damaged. For example, you can take advantage of all existing fluids in your vehicle by draining them out and saving them in proper containers.

For example, you can save your vehicle's antifreeze by draining it into a specific container and sealing it to prevent any debris or dirt from getting inside it. Keep in mind that if any animal drank the antifreeze, they might die. To prevent the environment, you need to ensure that animals don't reach an open container with an antifreeze.

One might consider saving the air conditioner coolant. However, it's not sometimes worth it because the refrigerator coolant is not very expensive, and it's about only 20 bucks worth. Therefore, the process might take you more time and effort to cost you more than the 20 bucks so, you don't have to worry about saving the air conditioner coolant. 

You might need to disconnect the transmission coolant lines and drain any radiator coolant into individual containers to save it up for future uses once you put together your vehicle. 

  • Shop for used components 

Once you're done assembling your vehicle, create a list of expected damaged components. 

For example, you might need to install a new door, window, mirror, throttle body, and probable engine or transmission.

A good place to start shopping for used components is maybe a junkyard or a salvage yard. There are plenty of salvage yards out there that have decent components.

There are options for self-service junkyards where you go by yourself and take your tools to take out these parts. The advantage of these salvage yards is that you don't have to pay much for the parts, and you can get them for a decent value. However, these salvage yards required a certain level of mechanical skill sets where you need to have so you don't damage any component as you take them out. 

  • Prepare all necessary toolsets 

When fixing a non runner car, there will be a lot of work, and therefore, you need to have things done as efficiently as possible.

Therefore, do not start the job until you have all the necessary tool sets that help you get the job done fast without much effort.

That's why automotive experts recommend that you never throw any bolt or small component as you might salvage them and use them back. Although the bolts might not be very expensive, they can't add up because there are many them in your vehicle. When you're dealing with non runner cars, you're not fixing only one component; and instead, you're dealing with multiple damaged components that require a lot of bolts. 

For example, you might need to collect some big old bolts, wrenches, screwdrivers, cables, ratchets, etc.

If you don't have a good idea about what needs to be prepared, you might need to watch some available online YouTube videos that show some people who retrieved or restored their non runner vehicles before. 

  • Replace damaged components and fix the bumper 

Once you have all the necessary components, you can install and replace the old damaged components.

You need to have good experience of how to install things properly. Therefore, it is recommended that you watch and refer to how professional mechanics does things. Sometimes trying to fix a damaged component might cause some issues with other components. First, you need to prevent getting into this situation which might cost you a lot, by reviewing any available tutorials on how the job should be done.

When it comes to fixing the bumpers, you might need to be a little hard, and you might use some bumper bashing to get things in shape. Don't worry about any scratches that might happen to your vehicle's external because you can paint once the job is done. 

The radiator is one of those components that you might need to do and fixed properly in a different way than others. In most scenarios, and run, our cars might have a non straighten radiator due to damage. Thus, take a look at your radiator and ensure that it straightens properly and there are no bends in the radiator vents or the AC condenser. 

  • Reassemble your vehicle

Once you're done with installing all damaged components and fixing any bends, the next step for you is to reassemble your vehicle by putting all components back together.

That's why the pictures you took at the beginning of this process can come in very handy to tell you how things should be put together back.

If he was still unclear about a certain step, you might refer to your vehicle's owner's manual to check and get a better idea about what needs to be installed first when putting your vehicle together back.

Since you're dealing with a non runner car, some of your components might be bent and won't be put together properly. That's where you need to make some adjustments and use certain tools to fix any bends and get the components to align with each other properly. 

In some scenarios, once you put your vehicle together, you need to install some minor components like the headlights and some of the other lights on the vehicle's exterior. Don't forget about checking your vehicle's mirror 

The majority of non runner cars require some hood replacement because it is the first component to get damaged in any car accident. If that's the case, you need to consider purchasing a new hood or a used hood to get the vehicle finalized. 

Finally, take a quick look at your vehicle’s big plastic bumper cover. You might need to use some heat assistance to get the plastic component to behave and close properly with other components. 

  • Charge the air conditioner and the battery

The next step now is to take a closer look at some of the electrical components that can disturb your vehicle from starting.

Start with checking the battery if you didn't replace it. If you got a new battery, this shouldn't be a problem here, and you should focus only on charging the air conditioning. There are plenty of tools that can help you charge the air conditioning—once it's done, consider that you inspect for any coolant leaks that might be associated with cracked pipelines. 

  • Start the non runner car and give it a test drive 

Assuming that things went smoothly and you didn't deal with major issues, the next step is to give your vehicle a test drive.

While it sounds like things are going to be done fast, dealing with fixing non runner cars can take a lot of time and effort. Thus, if you got to the stage of test driving your vehicle, you're done!

Once the vehicle started, try driving it and see if it's working properly. After the test drive, consider checking any errors on your dashboard. Also, take a closer look at the vehicle's bottom and see any signs of fluid leaks. Fluid leaks might be related to an oil leak from the bottom of the engine, some coolant leak from the transmission, and more.

How to fix a non runner car? The bottom line

Fixing non runner cars is extremely challenging, and it takes a lot of time and effort. The process can be very complicated, especially for inexperienced drivers.

To fix your non runner car, you need to disassemble the vehicle, create a list of all missing or damaged components, shop for these components, install them improperly, reassemble your vehicle, save up any old fluids, and give your vehicle a test drive.

If you're not comfortable performing all these steps, it might be the right time now to sell your non runner car to Cash Cars Buyer. Cash Cars Buyer guarantees to buy your non runner car and pay you the top dollars along with free towing no matter where you're living around the United States! 

To learn more about our process and our team, you can reach out to us by giving us a call at 866-924-4608 or visit our home page click on the free instant online offer

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