Chevrolet Kalos 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 will leave you stuck on the side of the road trying to figure out the problem. Luckily, some common problems lead to Chevy Kalos not starting, many of which can be fixed DIY or quickly by a mechanic.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the top 14 reasons your Chevy Kalos won't start and provide helpful tips to get your car running again.

Drained or Dead Battery

The most common reason a Chevy doesn't crank is a dead or drained battery. Your battery delivers the initial jolt of electricity to crank the engine and get it running.

Signs of a dead battery:

• Silence upon turning the key – no clicking or turnover
• 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 Chevy Kalos using a good battery or jump box can deliver enough juice to get it started.

You can also clean corroded battery terminals that are blocking 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 Kalos still won't crank, the issue may be a faulty alternator. This vital part charges your battery while driving and powers the electronics.

Clues of a bad alternator:

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

The Fix: Get your alternator inspected right away 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 fire the fuel/air mixture in the cylinders to run your car. When they are fouled or worn out, your Kalos may not start due to no spark.

Clues 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 bad ones. Using quality gas helps avoid buildup.

Ignition Problems

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

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 diagnosed 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 damaged, your Chevy Kalos may not turn over.

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 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 Chevy'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 blocked fuel filter can constrain fuel flow to the engine, preventing your Chevrolet Kalos from turning over.

Signs of a clogged filter:

• Difficulty starting
• Engine misfiring
• Decreased fuel economy

The Fix: Change the filter per your schedule 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.

Faulty Fuel Pump

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

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.

Low Engine Compression

Proper compression is required to combust the air/fuel mixture. Low compression from leaks 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 keeps the camshaft and crankshaft. If it breaks, the valves and pistons won't be timed properly and your Chevrolet Kalos won't start.

Symptoms of a bad timing belt:

• No start
• Unusual clicking sound

The Fix: Have your belt checked and fixed right away if broken. This requires a local professional mechanic to replace the timing belt of your Chevy Kalos.

Loose or Detached Battery Cable

A detached battery cable can disrupt 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.

Bad Relays

Relays control power to components like the starter, fuel pump, and computer. Failure can prevent your Chevy Kalos 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.

Low Fuel or Empty 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 causes for a no start situation, it can be tough to identify the exact issue yourself. In some cases, using 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 Kalos|Chevrolet Kalos starting again ASAP.

3. Chat with a Chevy Mechanic Online

This is a fantastic choice for most DIYers or car aficionados. It's frequently  a straightforward mend you can do yourself, like changing or recharging the battery. In these cases, if you are aware of what to do one step after another, you can do it yourself, you are not required to pay a mechanic locally. Alright, it's your fortunate day, an online mechanic can offer all the help, advice, and advice you need, immediately by online chat. You can then execute the simple mend yourself.

The top online mechanic we recommend 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 do not need to continue the service after that. We adore 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 accessible 24/7 to provide remote diagnostics and recommendations. The advantages of asking a mechanic online are:

• Convenience: Get help from your house without having to schedule an appointment or wait at a shop.
• Fast responses; Mechanics respond rapidly with possible causes 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 knowledge; Skilled licensed mechanics have the know-how to address Chevy Kalos|Chevrolet Kalos 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 Kalos or your Chevrolet Kommando 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 starts but wont stay on“, consider our chat with a Chrevrolet mechanic for free online service.  In just minutes, you can get expert Chevrolet knowledge to help get your beloved Kalos started again.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)