What to Do if Your Vehicle Won't Start

It always seems to happen when you’re in a rush—you get in your car, try to start it, and nothing happens. So what do you do? BMW of Catonsville has some quick troubleshooting tips that might get you back on the road quickly.

See if you put the car in “Park”

Many vehicles have a safety switch that won’t allow you to start the vehicle unless it’s in park or neutral. This prevents the vehicle from lurching forward when you turn the key, causing expensive damage. If your car won’t start, make sure it’s in park for cars with automatic transmissions, and neutral for manual transmissions, with the clutch pedal pressed.

Make Sure the Steering Wheel isn’t Locked

Car makers include a locking steering wheel feature, again for safety. It helps prevent theft or unintentional turning of the steering wheel by locking it when a key isn’t in the ignition. Sometimes, you need to wiggle your steering wheel to one side or the other while turning the key in the ignition to get it to start. If you can’t turn the key at all, this is likely your issue.

Check the Key Fob Battery

Modern cars have theft deterrent technology built into the key fob. Many modern car keys have a chip that signals to the car that the actual key is being used to start the vehicle. If your key fob battery dies, it can’t properly communicate with your vehicle’s ignition system. A simple test is to make sure all of the other functions on the key fob work, like the door locks and trunk release.

Check the Fuel Level

It might seem like a no-brainer but check your fuel level (if you can). If the gauges work when you turn the key, make sure you have enough fuel in your vehicle. You could have a fuel leak or could have missed the low fuel warning light the last time you drove.

Check the Battery

If you have no lights at all in your vehicle or they seem very dim, your battery could have failed. Pop the hood and make sure the cables to your battery are secure and free from corrosion. If they are loose or dirty, your battery might not be bad. Having jumper cables or a jump box available can get you going so that you can have the battery replaced if it is the issue.

If none of these simple troubleshooting tips help, it may be something more complicated like the starter, alternator, fuel pump, or electrical system. It’s best to have it towed to the BMW of Catonsville service center. Our expert team can diagnose and repair your vehicle while delivering white glove treatment and quick turnaround times. Contact us any time you have an issue, and we’ll get you taken care of right away.