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

Sitting in your idle Chevy, turning the key, and hearing nothing but silence can be very aggravating. A Chevy that won't start will leave you stranded and clueless about the issue. The good news is that a number of familiar culprits make a Cruzes fail to start, and you can fix a lot of them yourself or with a mechanic's assistance.

In this comprehensive guide, we will examine the top 14 causes your Chevy Cruze doesn't start and offer useful suggestions to get your car running again.

Drained or Dead Battery

The most common cause a Chevy won't start is a dead or weak battery. Your battery provides the initial burst of electricity to turn over the engine and get it running.

Indications of a dead battery:

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

How to Fix It: Keep jumper cables available in case of a dead battery emergency. Jump starting your Chevrolet Cruze using a good battery or jump box can deliver enough charge to get it cranked.

You can also clean corroded battery terminals that are blocking a good connection. If problems persist, have your battery tested – it may need replacing if old.

Bad Alternator

If your battery checks out but your Chevrolet Cruze still won't turn over, the culprit may be a bad alternator. This vital part charges your battery when running and powers the electrical system.

Clues of a bad alternator:

• Battery warning indicator illuminating
• Electronics dimming
• Hard time starting, especially after short trips

The Fix: Get your alternator inspected immediately by a mechanic. A bad alternator can quickly drain your battery. This will need to be replaced by an experienced mechanic.

Faulty Spark Plugs

Spark plugs ignite the air/fuel ratio in the cylinders to power your car. When they are dirty, bad, or corroded, your Cruze 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 checked and change any bad ones. Using quality gas prevents buildup.

Ignition System Issues

Issues with parts like the switch, lock cylinder, fob, or wiring can prevent your Chevy from cranking.

Symptoms of ignition trouble:

• No noise upon turning key
• Instrument panel 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 worn out, your Chevrolet Cruze 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 replaced if faulty. This requires the help of a professional mechanic to diagnose and repair.

Transmission Not in Park/Neutral

If your transmission isn't in Park or Neutral, your Chevrolet's safety features will prevent it from cranking.

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.

Blocked or Clogged Fuel Filter

A clogged fuel filter can constrain fuel delivery to the engine, preventing your Chevrolet Cruze from turning over.

Symptoms of a clogged filter:

• Difficulty starting
• Engine sputtering
• Decreased fuel economy

The Fix: Replace the filter when due or if suspected clogged. Use quality gas and change 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.

Bad or Failing Fuel Pump

The fuel pump transfers 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
• Difficulty starting
• Stalling after starting

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 damage can cause 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 Cruze won't start.

Signs of a bad timing belt:

• No start
• Unusual clicking sound

The Fix: Have your belt checked and replaced immediately if broken. This requires a local professional mechanic to replace the timing belt of your Chevy Cruze.

Loose or Detached Battery Cable

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

Signs of a bad cable:

• Corroded terminals
• Power loss from wiggling 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 Cruze from starting or running right.

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

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.

Engine Flooding

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 possible reasons for a no start problem, it can be difficult to identify the exact cause yourself. In some cases, getting assistance 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 Cruze|Chevrolet Cruze starting again ASAP.

3. Chat with a Chevy Mechanic Online

This is a superb possibility for most DIYers or car enthusiasts. It's many times  a straightforward mend you can do yourself, like replacing or charging the battery. In these situations, if you know what to do step by step, you can do it yourself, you are not required to pay a mechanic in person. Alright, it's your fortunate day, an online mechanic can offer all the help, guidance, and advice you require, instantly by online chat. You can then carry out the straightforward repair yourself.

The best online mechanic we recommend is JustAnswer, and through our link, you can get a free trial of their service for just $5, request endless inquiries for a week, get the help you need, and you are not obligated to keep going with the service after that. We love JustAnswer for this purpose, professional auto mechanic assistance for just $5 is an unmatchable price.

The licensed 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 your house without having to schedule an appointment or wait at a shop.
• Fast answers; Mechanics answer back 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 saved in writing, providing helpful reference.
• Expert help; Experienced licensed mechanics have the know-how to troubleshoot Chevy Cruze|Chevrolet Cruze 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 Cruze or your Chevrolet CSV CR8 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 “Chevrolet wont start then starts later“, consider our live Chrevrolet mechanic service.  In just minutes, you can access expert Chevrolet knowledge to help get your beloved Cruze going again.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)