You turned the key and nothing happened. Or you got a single click. Or the engine cranked but wouldn't catch. Either way, you're sitting in a Walmart parking lot and you need to figure out your next move fast.
> **Quick Answer:** Try a jump start first. A dead battery is the most common reason a car won't start in a parking lot, and most Walmart stores sell jumper cables in the auto section if you don't have any. If a jump doesn't work, call roadside assistance or a tow truck. Walmart is private property, but security typically won't have your car towed within the first few hours, giving you time to sort things out.
## Why Won't My Car Start in a Parking Lot?
The most likely culprit is a dead or weak battery, especially if you left the headlights or interior lights on. Beyond that, the common causes are a bad alternator that failed to recharge the battery while you were driving, a failed starter motor, or a no-fuel situation.
Here's how to read the symptoms quickly:
- **Single click or rapid clicking:** Dead or near-dead battery. Jump start needed.
- **Nothing at all, no noise:** Could be battery, could be a blown fusible link or a failed starter relay.
- **Engine cranks but won't fire:** Fuel delivery problem, a bad crankshaft position sensor, or a flooded engine if you've been cranking it repeatedly.
- **Engine cranks slowly, then dies:** Weak battery or a failing alternator that left it partially discharged.
If you hear nothing when you turn the key and your dash lights are dim or off, that's a battery or connection problem. Check the battery terminals for corrosion, a white or blue-green crust on the posts. A loose or corroded terminal can cause a complete no-start even with a perfectly good battery.
## How Do I Get a Jump Start in a Walmart Parking Lot?
Walk into the store and grab jumper cables from the automotive aisle if you don't have a set, then ask another customer for a jump. Most people will help. Pull the working vehicle hood-to-hood with yours, connect red to the dead battery's positive terminal, red to the good battery's positive terminal, black to the good battery's negative terminal, and black to an unpainted metal ground on your car, not the dead battery's negative post. Let it charge for two to three minutes, then start the working car and try yours.
If you have a portable jump starter, also called a jump pack, connect it the same way and you don't need another vehicle at all. Many Walmart stores carry these too. A 1,000-amp peak jump pack will start most gas-powered cars and trucks.
If the car starts after a jump, drive it for at least 20 to 30 minutes to let the alternator recharge the battery before shutting it off. Do not just drive it around the parking lot.
If a jump fails, the battery is dead past recovery, the alternator is bad, or you have a starter problem. At that point, you need a tow. Check out [what a tow will cost you after a failed jump start](/dead-battery-jump-start-failed-towing-cost/) so you're not surprised.
## Will Walmart Tow My Car If It's Sitting in the Lot?
Walmart generally won't call a tow truck on your car within the first few hours. They are aware parking lots have breakdowns. That said, Walmart is private property and they have the right to tow any vehicle at any time, and local towing contractors monitor some high-volume lots regularly.
*Photo: Pexels*
Do not leave your car overnight without telling the store. Go inside, speak to the manager on duty, explain your situation, and ask for a few hours' grace. Get the manager's name. Most will accommodate you. If you need to come back the next day with a tow truck, leaving without notifying the store is a gamble you don't want to take.
If you're concerned about being stuck alone after dark, read through [car won't start in a parking lot at night: is it safe to wait for a tow](/car-wont-start-parking-lot-night-safe-to-wait-for-tow/) for specific safety steps.
## Who Should I Call to Get Towed or Fixed?
Call in this order based on what you have:
1. **Roadside assistance through your insurance:** Check your auto insurance app. State Farm, GEICO, Progressive, and USAA all offer roadside assistance that covers towing. If you have it, use it before paying out of pocket.
2. **AAA:** If you're a member, call AAA. They dispatch quickly and the tow is included up to your membership mileage limit.
3. **A local tow company:** Search "tow truck near me" on your phone. Call two or three, get a price before they hook up your car, and confirm where they'll take it.
If you're not sure what your insurance covers, [does insurance cover towing if your car breaks down](/does-insurance-cover-towing-if-car-breaks-down-not-accident/) breaks down exactly what policies typically include.
For a simple local tow to a shop, budget $75 to $125 for the first five miles in most metro areas. Rates vary by region and time of day.
*Photo: Pexels*
## Common Questions
**Q: Can I leave my car in Walmart parking lot overnight while I arrange a tow?**
A: You can, but you need to tell the store first. Speak to the manager on duty, explain the situation, and get permission. Some locations will accommodate you for one night; others won't. Don't assume it's fine and walk away.
**Q: My car clicked once and won't start. Is that definitely the battery?**
A: A single click usually points to a bad starter motor or a completely dead battery with just enough charge to energize the solenoid. Try a jump. If it still only clicks after a jump, the starter itself is likely failed and you need a tow.
**Q: How long does a jump start take in a parking lot?**
A: Connect the cables, let the working car run for two to three minutes, then try to start yours. The whole process takes five to ten minutes. If it doesn't start after two attempts, stop cranking. You risk flooding the engine and draining the donor battery.
**Q: Is it safe to wait alone in a Walmart parking lot for a tow truck?**
A: Walmart parking lots are high-traffic, well-lit, and have security cameras, which makes them safer than roadside breakdowns. Stay inside your locked car or inside the store while you wait. Most tow trucks arrive within 30 to 60 minutes for a non-emergency daytime call.
**Q: What if my car won't start because of something other than the battery?**
A: If a jump doesn't help and the engine cranks normally but won't fire, you're likely looking at a fuel pump, a bad crankshaft position sensor, or an ignition system failure. None of those are roadside fixes. Call a tow and have it taken to a shop for a proper diagnosis.
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*Need roadside help? Visit [Tow With The Flow](https://towwiththeflow.com/car-wont-start-in-walmart-parking-lot-what-to-do/) for real answers when your car breaks down.*
Car Won't Start in Walmart Parking Lot: What to Do Right Now
Photo: Pexels