The routine of turning the car on and off is a part of us. We just do it without thinking about every step. But sometimes there may be a glitch or something disturbs us and we do something that can hurt the vehicle. For example, we turn the car off when the gear selector is in Drive and then the car doesn't start. Well, you are not alone in this problem, so let's figure it out.
Today, we'll tell you how to start your car after you turned it off in Drive and what exactly may be wrong if the vehicle doesn't start after this. Also, we'll tell you about other problems that may cause no-start issues and you may get tangled in them.
Let's get started!
Can something bad happen if you turn the car off in Drive?
Well, nothing bad will happen unless the vehicle has already been damaged. If you turn the car off in Drive, all you need to do is to put the selector to N or P to start your vehicle again. When the selector is in Drive, the car computer will not allow you to start the engine. You will be able to turn the ignition on, but once you turn the key further or push the start button, you will hear nothing - the starter won't rotate.
If potentially it started rotating, it would probably destroy one of three things: the flywheel, the starter motor, or the transmission. So, say thanks to car manufacturers who thought about foolproofing your car and introducing this wonderful feature that doesn't allow you to start the vehicle when it's in Drive.
But other than that, nothing should be broken. Well, it can trigger some issues if, for example, the shifter was not good but still working, it may fail and you won't be able to select the needed mode. But overall, no problems should be caused by this action.
What should you do if you turned the car off on Drive?
- Turn the ignition on but don't start the vehicle. If you have the push button start, skip this step or turn the accessory mode (ACC) if you know how to do it.
- After that, put your gear selector into N or P for setting up the correct turning off.
- Then, turn off the ignition or just wait for 5 seconds if you didn't turn it on before step 2.
- The next step is to turn on the ignition, press the brake pedal and try starting your vehicle.
- If everything works, you are done with this. If it doesn't work, then something is wrong with the vehicle.
What else can cause starting problem with my car?
There are several things that can cause starting problems. First of all, it's problems with the selector. If the sensor in the gear selector doesn't send the needed information to the ECU, the computer won't let you start the vehicle at all. Even if you start the engine, the car won't move because you will not be able to put the car into Drive.
One more possible thing is the battery. If you turned your car off a month ago and now are trying to start it, one of the possible problems is the dead 12V battery. It may have been drained or maybe it was dying before you last touched your car. After all this time, it's dead and needs recharging or even replacement.
In older cars with heavy wear and tear, there can be another problem. The flywheel and the starter gear may have been stuck over each other. When you turn the car off in Drive, the vehicle may move a little because in Drive it holds a little tension ready to move forward once you release the brake pedal. This tension suddenly vanished and the flywheel may have been stuck.
This can happen in vehicles that have some problems with the starter motor. To solve this problem, you may need to push your vehicle forward and backward a little when in N and in D - just shake it a little. If it doesn't help, the most obvious solution is to replace the starter or have it repaired by a professional.
Is it an expensive repair?
This will depend on too many factors like what exactly is broken and what car we are talking about. For an old Chevy, the repair may cost zero dollars while for a brand-new Mercedes, you can hope to have it repaired for a couple of thousand dollars. So, the best solution, in this case, is to ask for help. Professionals will take 5 minutes to locate the problem and to help you solve the issue and keep driving your vehicle.
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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