Chevrolet Caprice Won’t Start: Top 14 Causes & Solutions

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 won't start leaves you stuck on the side of the road trying to figure out the problem. Luckily, some common problems lead to Chevy Caprice not starting, many of which can be fixed DIY or quickly by a mechanic.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the fourteen most common causes your Chevy Caprice won't start and provide useful suggestions to get your car started again.

Drained or Dead Battery

The most common reason a Chevrolet doesn't crank is a dead or weak battery. Your battery supplies the initial jolt of electricity to turn over the engine and get it running.

Signs of a dead battery:

• Silence upon turning the key – no clicking or turnover
• Electronics not powering on
• Difficulty starting in cold weather

The Fix: Keep jumper cables on hand in case of a dead battery situation. Jump starting your Chevy Caprice using another vehicle or portable charger can supply enough juice to get it started.

You can also try cleaning dirty battery terminals if they prevent a good connection. If problems continue, have your battery tested – it may need replacing if old.

Faulty Alternator

If your battery checks out but your Chevy Caprice still won't turn over, the issue may be a faulty alternator. This vital part charges your battery while driving and energizes the electronics.

Signs of a bad alternator:

• Battery warning light coming on
• Electronics fading
• Difficulty starting, particularly following short trips

The Fix: Get your alternator checked immediately by a mechanic. A bad alternator can rapidly deplete your battery. This will need to be replaced by an experienced mechanic.

Bad or Fouled Spark Plugs

Spark plugs ignite the fuel/air mixture in the cylinders to power your car. When they are fouled or worn out, your Caprice may not start due to no spark.

Signs of bad spark plugs:

• Poor fuel economy
• Rough idle
• Engine sputtering

The Fix: Spark plugs need periodic replacement as they wear out. Most last 30k+ miles. Have your plugs inspected and swap any bad ones. Using quality gas helps avoid buildup.

Ignition System Issues

Problems with ignition components like the switch, lock cylinder, fob, or wiring can prevent your Chevy from cranking.

Signs of ignition trouble:

• No noise upon turning key
• Dashboard malfunctioning
• Key won't turn

The Fix: For fob issues, try the battery. For other problems, have the system diagnosed and fixed professionally. If you need a new Chevy key fob you can get one online here.

Bad Starter

The starter motor engages when you turn the key to crank the engine. If it's damaged, your Chevrolet Caprice may not crank.

Symptoms of a bad starter:

• No noise upon turning key
• Clicking but no cranking
• 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

If your gearbox isn't in Park or Neutral, your Chevy's safety features will prevent it from starting.

The Fix: Shift into Park/Neutral and try once more. 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

A clogged fuel filter can constrain fuel flow to the engine, preventing your Chevy Caprice from starting.

Signs of a clogged filter:

• Hard time starting
• Engine misfiring
• 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

The fuel pump draws gas from the tank to the engine. If it fails, your Chevy won't start due to no fuel.

Signs of a bad pump:

• No pump noise upon turning key
• Hard time starting
• Stalling when running

The Fix: Have your pump tested. If faulty, a mechanic near you will need to replace it.

Low Engine Compression

Proper compression is required to combust the air/fuel mixture. Low compression from worn parts can lead to a no start.

Signs of compression issues:

• Hard time 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.

Timing Belt Failure

The timing belt synchronizes the camshaft and crankshaft. If it breaks, the valves and pistons won't be timed properly and your Chevrolet Caprice won't start.

Signs of a bad timing belt:

• No start
• Unusual ticking noise

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 Caprice.

Loose or Detached Battery Cable

A loose battery cable can block electricity flow in your Chevy. This common problem can prevent starting.

Symptoms of a bad cable:

• Corroded terminals
• Power loss from moving cables
• Frayed wiring

The Fix: Scrub 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

Relays control power to components like the starter, fuel pump, and computer. Failure can prevent your Chevy Caprice from starting or running right.

Identifying 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.

Empty Gas Tank

Running your tank bone dry can cause a no-start due to lack of fuel. This seems obvious however it often happens because of an inaccurate or broken fuel gauge.

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

Sometimes an engine can flood with too much fuel, preventing starting due to wet spark plugs. This is most common in older carbureted engines.

The Fix: Press the gas pedal fully and crank briefly to clear 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

With so many potential issues for a no start issue, it can be challenging to determine the exact problem yourself. In some cases, using aid from an experienced mechanic can be time-saving and give you peace of mind.

These are the 3 ways to get a mechanic's help in starting your Chevy again.

1. Local Auto Repair Garage Near You

This is the regular way to get it repaired, however, it can be very wasteful in time and money, transporting your vehicle to them, plus expensive garage fees as they often have expensive overhead costs etc, that they have to pass on to the customer.

2. A Mobile Mechanic Near You

Having a qualified mobile mechanic come to your Chevy and repair it on-site can be a great time and money saver. The best mobile mechanics we can recommend in the USA are RepairSmith and YourMechanic. We have recommended them thousands of times, and they both have great prices, services and coverage across most of the USA.

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 Caprice|Chevrolet Caprice starting again ASAP.

3. Chat with a Chevy Mechanic Online

This is a great choice for most DIYers or car aficionados. It's often  a simple fix you can do yourself, like changing or charging the battery. In these cases, if you are aware of what to do step by step, you can do it on your own, you don't need to pay a mechanic locally. Alright, it's your fortunate day, an online mechanic can provide all the assistance, advice, and advice you require, right away by online chat. You can then perform the simple repair yourself.

The top online mechanic we propose is JustAnswer, and through our link, you can get a trial of their service for just $5, ask unlimited inquiries for a week, get the assistance you need, and you are not obligated to continue the assistance after that. We love JustAnswer for this reason, professional auto mechanic assistance for just $5 is an unmatchable price.

The certified mechanics at JustAnswer's Ask a Mechanic service are available 24/7 to provide remote diagnostics and advice. The advantages of asking a mechanic online are:

• Convenience: Get help from the comfort of your residence without having to schedule an appointment or wait at a shop.
• Fast answers; Mechanics respond in minutes with potential reasons 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 knowledge; Skilled licensed mechanics have the expertise to address Chevy Caprice|Chevrolet Caprice 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 Caprice or your Chevrolet Captiva 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 “my Chevrolet wont start in the cold and it's not the battery“, consider our Chrevrolet repair questions service.  In just minutes, you can access expert Chevrolet knowledge to help get your beloved Caprice going again.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)