Chevrolet D20 Won’t Start: Top 14 Causes & Solutions

The silence that fills your inactive Chevy when you turn the key and it won't start can be extremely annoying. A Chevy that fails to start will leave you immobilized and uncertain about the cause. Luckily, some common problems lead to Chevrolet D20 not starting, many of which can be fixed DIY or quickly by a mechanic.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the top 14 causes your Chevy D20 doesn't start and offer helpful tips to get your car running again.

Dead Battery

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

Indications of a dead battery:

• Silence upon turning the key – no engine cranking
• Electronics not powering on
• Hard time starting in cold weather

How to Fix It: Keep jumper cables on hand for a dead battery situation. Jump starting your Chevrolet D20 using a good battery or portable charger can supply enough charge to get it started.

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

Faulty Alternator

If your battery tests fine but your Chevy D20 still won't crank, the culprit may be a bad alternator. This vital part charges your battery while driving and energizes the electronics.

Clues of a bad alternator:

• Battery warning light coming on
• Electronics dimming
• Hard time starting, particularly following short trips

The Fix: Get your alternator checked right away 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

Spark plugs ignite the air/fuel ratio in the cylinders to power your car. When they are fouled or worn out, your D20 may not start due to no spark.

Signs of bad spark plugs:

• Poor fuel economy
• Rough idle
• Engine misfiring

The Fix: Spark plugs need periodic replacement as they degrade. Most last 30k+ miles. Have your plugs checked and change any bad ones. Using quality gas prevents buildup.

Ignition System Issues

Issues with ignition components like the switch, lock cylinder, fob, or wiring can prevent your Chevrolet from starting.

Signs of ignition trouble:

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

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

Starter Failure

The starter motor engages when you turn the key to crank the engine. If it's worn out, your Chevy D20 may not crank.

Signs of a bad starter:

• No noise upon turning key
• Clicking but no turnover
• 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.

Not in Park or Neutral

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

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 flow to the engine, preventing your Chevy D20 from turning over.

Signs of a clogged filter:

• Hard time starting
• Engine sputtering
• Decreased fuel economy

The Fix: Change 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.

Bad or Failing Fuel Pump

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

Signs of a bad pump:

• No pump noise upon turning key
• Hard time starting
• Stalling after starting

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

Compression Issues

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

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.

Timing Belt Failure

The timing belt keeps the camshaft and crankshaft. If it snaps, the valves and pistons won't be timed properly and your Chevy D20 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 D20.

Loose or Detached Battery Cable

A detached battery cable can disrupt electricity flow in your Chevrolet. This common problem can prevent starting.

Signs 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 D20 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.

Empty Gas Tank

Running your tank completely empty 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 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

With so many potential issues for a no start issue, it can be tough to identify the exact problem yourself. In some cases, getting help 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 D20|Chevrolet D20 starting again ASAP.

3. Chat with a Chevy Mechanic Online

This is a wonderful possibility for most DIYers or car buff. It's frequently  a simple repair you can do on your own, like switching out or powering up 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 locally. Well, it's your fortunate day, an online mechanic can provide all the help, guidance, and advice you require, immediately by online chat. You can then perform the easy mend yourself.

The best online mechanic we propose is JustAnswer, and through our link, you can get a free trial of their assistance for just $5, ask unlimited questions for a week, get the assistance you need, and you don't have to continue the service after that. We love JustAnswer for this purpose, professional auto mechanic assistance for just $5 is an unmatchable price.

The qualified mechanics at JustAnswer's Ask a Mechanic service are available 24/7 to provide online analysis and recommendations. The benefits 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 replies; Mechanics reply quickly 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 saved in writing, providing helpful reference.
• Expert help; Skilled licensed mechanics have the know-how to solve Chevy D20|Chevrolet D20 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 D20 or your Chevrolet Deluxe 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 after getting gas“, consider our ask a Chrevrolet mechanic online free service.  In just minutes, you can get expert Chevrolet knowledge to help get your beloved D20 going again.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)