Turning the ignition and getting only silence instead of the engine cranking over is incredibly frustrating when you're sitting in your motionless Chevy. A Chevy that fails to start leaves you immobilized and uncertain about the cause. The good news is that a number of familiar culprits make a Blazers fail to start, and you can fix a lot of them yourself or with a mechanic's assistance.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the fourteen most common reasons your Chevrolet Blazer won't start and offer helpful suggestions to get your car started again.
Drained or Dead Battery
Indications of a dead battery:
- Silence upon turning the key – no engine cranking
- Accessories not powering on
- Difficulty starting in cold weather
How to Fix It: Keep jumper cables on hand in case of a dead battery situation. Jump starting your Chevrolet Blazer using another vehicle or jump box can deliver enough charge to get it cranked.
You can also try cleaning corroded battery terminals that are blocking a good connection. If problems continue, have your battery tested – it may need recharging if worn out.
Faulty Alternator
Signs of a bad alternator:
- Battery warning light coming on
- Electronics dimming
- Hard time starting, especially after short trips
The Fix: Get your alternator checked ASAP by a mechanic. A bad alternator can quickly drain your battery. This will need to be replaced by an experienced mechanic.
Bad or Fouled Spark Plugs
Signs of bad spark plugs:
- Poor fuel economy
- Rough idle
- Engine hesitating
The Fix: Spark plugs need regular replacement as they degrade. Most last 30k+ miles. Have your plugs checked and change any faulty ones. Using quality gas helps avoid buildup.
Ignition Problems
Symptoms of ignition trouble:
- No noise upon turning key
- Instrument panel malfunctioning
- Key won't turn
The Fix: For fob issues, replace the battery. For other problems, have the system diagnosed and repaired professionally. If you need a new Chevy key fob you can get one online here.
Bad Starter
Symptoms of a bad starter:
- No noise upon turning key
- Clicking but no turnover
- Unusual grinding or whining
The Fix: Have your starter inspected and repaired if faulty. This requires the help of a professional mechanic to diagnose and repair.
Transmission Not in Park/Neutral
The Fix: Shift into Park/Neutral and try again. If it only starts in one gear, you may have a faulty neutral safety switch needing repair. This will need to be repaired by a local mechanic near you.
Clogged Fuel Filter
Signs of a clogged filter:
- Hard time starting
- Engine sputtering
- Decreased fuel economy
The Fix: Replace the filter per your schedule or if thought clogged. Use quality gas and replace often. You can have a local mechanic repair this for you, or repair it yourself, maybe with the help and guidance of an online mechanic.
Faulty Fuel Pump
Symptoms of a bad pump:
- No sound upon turning key
- Difficulty starting
- Stalling when running
The Fix: Have your pump tested. If faulty, a mechanic near you will need to replace it.
Compression Issues
Signs of compression issues:
- Difficulty starting
- Rough idle
- Lack of power
The Fix: Testing can confirm low compression. For diagnostics and carrying out this repair, a local mechanic is usually needed and will have to replace the worn engine components.
Broken Timing Belt
Signs of a bad timing belt:
- No start
- Unusual clicking sound
The Fix: Have your belt inspected and replaced immediately if broken. This requires a local professional mechanic to replace the timing belt of your Chevy Blazer.
Detached or Loose Battery Cable
Symptoms of a bad cable:
- Corroded terminals
- Power loss from moving cables
- Frayed wiring
The Fix: Clean corroded terminals and tighten loose connections. Damaged cables need replacement. You can get expert Chevy mechanic advice and guidance online or with a local mechanic.
Faulty Relays
Diagnosing relay problems:
- Swap relays to test
- Have relays checked by a mechanic
The Fix: Faulty relays must be replaced, often after a larger diagnostic. You will likely need a local mechanic to diagnose if the faulty relay is preventing your Chevy from starting.
Low Fuel or Empty Tank
The Fix: Keep your tank at least 1/4 full to avoid unexpected emptying. If issues persist, have your fuel sender unit checked by a professional mechanic.
Flooded Engine
The Fix: Press the gas pedal fully and crank briefly to flush the system so the plugs can spark. If problems continue, have the carburetor adjusted by a professional local mechanic.
Top 3 Ways To Get a Mechanics Help
These are the 3 ways to get a mechanic's help in starting your Chevy again.
1. Local Auto Repair Garage Near You
2. A Mobile Mechanic Near You
In the UK the best mobile mechanic we can recommend is Fixter, they will come pick up your car, take it get repaired, and deliver it back to you. You can get an instant free quote on their official websites by clicking the name. We have tested, vetted, and can heartedly recommend each of these services to get your Chevy Blazer|Chevrolet Blazer starting again ASAP.
3. Chat with a Chevy Mechanic Online
The best online mechanic we propose is JustAnswer, and through our link, you can get a free trial of their service for just $5, inquire unlimited inquiries for a week, get the assistance you require, and you don't have to keep going with the service after that. We adore JustAnswer for this reason, expert auto mechanic assistance for just $5 is an unbeatable price.
The qualified mechanics at JustAnswer's Ask a Mechanic service are available 24/7 to provide virtual troubleshooting and recommendations. The advantages of asking a mechanic online include:
- Convenience: Get help from home without having to schedule an appointment or wait at a shop.
- Fast responses; Mechanics respond rapidly with likely issues and solutions based on your description.
- Cost savings: Pay per question rather than full diagnostic fees – great for basic troubleshooting.
- Documentation: All conversations are logged in writing, providing helpful reference.
- Expert help; Skilled licensed mechanics have the knowledge to address Chevy Blazer|Chevrolet Blazer no starting issues with ease.
You will get matched with the best auto mechanic for your particular case, it doesn't matter if it's a Blazer or your Chevrolet C/K won't start, the expert Chevy mechanic you are paired with, will be the best for the job.
So next time you find yourself searching online for something like “Chevy starting problems“, consider our Chrevrolet mechanic online service. In just minutes, you can get expert Chevrolet knowledge to help get your beloved Blazer fired up again.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Why is my Chevy car not starting but I have power?
If your Chevrolet doesn't crank but the accessories and dashboard power on, the most likely causes are problems in the starter motor, ignition switch, or neutral safety switch. Defective ignition components prevent the engine from turning over even when battery power is present.
Why does my Chevy have power but doesn't crank?
When your Chevy has power to the lights and accessories but doesn't start when trying to start, the problem is often a bad starter system or related wiring issue. This prevents the starter from engaging to turn the engine over for starting.
What would make my Chevy car suddenly not start?
Sudden no-start issues can occur from disconnected battery cables, fuel pump or relay failure, broken timing belt, or an empty gas tank. These urgent issues can arise without warning and prevent your Chevy's engine from starting.
Why won't my Chevy car start but the battery is fine?
With a good battery, the problem may be a bad alternator not charging the system, bad spark plugs providing no ignition, or a fuel delivery problem preventing combustion. Your Chevy's engine needs air, fuel, compression and spark to run.
What are symptoms your Chevy starter is bad?
Signs of a bad starter include no noise upon turning the key, a single click but no turnover, unusual grinding sounds, and slow/labored cranking. These indicate starter failure and the need for replacement by a local mechanic.
Why doesn't my Chevy car start but battery and alternator is good?
If the battery and alternator check out, common causes are bad spark plugs, clogged fuel filter, blown fuse, immobilizer issue, and starter relay failure. Thorough testing of all electrical and fuel systems is needed by a qualified local mechanic.