Chevrolet Jimny 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 fails to start leaves you stranded and clueless about the issue. The good news is that a number of familiar culprits make a Jimnys 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 Jimny doesn't start and provide helpful tips to get your car started again.

Dead Battery

The most common cause a Chevrolet won't start is a dead or drained battery. Your battery provides the initial burst of electricity to crank the engine and get it running.

Indications of a dead battery:

• Silence upon turning the key – no engine cranking
• Accessories not powering on
• Difficulty starting in cold weather

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

You can also clean corroded battery terminals if they prevent a good connection. If problems persist, have your battery tested – it may need recharging if worn out.

Faulty Alternator

If your battery tests fine but your Chevy Jimny still won't crank, the issue may be a faulty alternator. This key component charges your battery while driving and energizes the electronics.

Clues of a bad alternator:

• Battery warning indicator illuminating
• Lights fading
• Difficulty starting, particularly following short trips

The Fix: Get your alternator checked immediately 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 fire the air/fuel ratio in the cylinders to power your car. When they are dirty, bad, or corroded, your Jimny may not start due to no spark.

Clues of bad spark plugs:

• Poor fuel economy
• Rough idle
• Engine sputtering

The Fix: Spark plugs need regular replacement as they wear out. Most last 30k+ miles. Have your plugs checked and swap any faulty ones. Using quality gas prevents buildup.

Ignition System Issues

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

Signs of ignition trouble:

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

The Fix: For fob issues, replace 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 Jimny may not turn over.

Symptoms of a bad starter:

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

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 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 blocked fuel filter can restrict fuel flow to the engine, preventing your Chevy Jimny from starting.

Signs of a clogged filter:

• Difficulty starting
• Engine sputtering
• Decreased fuel economy

The Fix: Replace the filter when due or if thought clogged. Use quality gas and change regularly. 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 Chevy won't start due to no fuel.

Symptoms of a bad pump:

• No sound 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.

Compression Issues

Proper compression is needed to combust the air/fuel mixture. Low compression from leaks can cause a no start.

Symptoms 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.

Broken Timing Belt

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

Loose or Detached Battery Cable

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

Symptoms of a bad cable:

• Corroded terminals
• Power loss from wiggling 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

Relays control power to components like the starter, fuel pump, and computer. Failure can prevent your Chevy Jimny 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 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 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 causes for a no start situation, it can be challenging to pinpoint the exact issue yourself. In some cases, using assistance from an experienced mechanic can save you time 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 Jimny|Chevrolet Jimny starting again ASAP.

3. Chat with a Chevy Mechanic Online

This is a great option for most DIYers or car buff. It's many times  an easy repair you can do yourself, like changing or recharging the battery. In these instances, if you know what to do one step after another, you can do it on your own, you do not have to pay a mechanic on-site. Alright, it's your lucky day, an online mechanic can supply all the help, guidance, and advice you need, instantly by online chat. You can then perform the straightforward mend yourself.

The finest online mechanic we propose is JustAnswer, and through our link, you can get a trial of their assistance for just $5, ask endless inquiries for a week, get the assistance you require, and you don't have to continue the assistance after that. We love JustAnswer for this purpose, specialist auto mechanic assistance for just $5 is an unbeatable price.

The certified mechanics at JustAnswer's Ask a Mechanic service are available 24/7 to provide remote diagnostics and recommendations. The perks 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 answer back rapidly 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 recorded in writing, providing helpful reference.
• Expert assistance; Seasoned licensed mechanics have the know-how to solve Chevy Jimny|Chevrolet Jimny 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 Jimny or your Chevrolet Kadett 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 overheated now wont start“, consider our free online Chrevrolet mechanic chat service.  In just minutes, you can access expert Chevrolet knowledge to help get your beloved Jimny starting again.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)