Chevrolet Kommando 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 immobilized and uncertain about the cause. The good news is that a number of familiar culprits make a Kommandos fail to start, and you can fix a lot of them yourself or with a mechanic's assistance.

In this comprehensive guide, we're going to look at the fourteen most common causes your Chevrolet Kommando won't start and provide helpful tips to get your car started again.

Drained or Dead Battery

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

Indications of a dead battery:

• Silence upon turning the key – no clicking or turnover
• Accessories 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 Kommando using another vehicle or jump box can deliver enough charge to get it cranked.

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

Bad Alternator

If your battery tests fine but your Chevrolet Kommando still won't turn over, the culprit may be a faulty alternator. This vital part charges your battery when running and powers the electrical system.

Clues of a bad alternator:

• Battery warning light coming on
• Lights fading
• Difficulty starting, especially after short trips

The Fix: Get your alternator inspected ASAP 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 Kommando 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 wear out. Most last 30k+ miles. Have your plugs inspected and swap any bad ones. Using quality gas prevents buildup.

Ignition Problems

Problems with ignition components 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, replace the battery. For other problems, have the system inspected and repaired 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 start the engine. If it's damaged, your Chevy Kommando 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 tested 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 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.

Clogged Fuel Filter

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

Symptoms of a clogged filter:

• Hard time starting
• Engine sputtering
• Decreased fuel economy

The Fix: Replace the filter when due or if suspected 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.

Symptoms 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 cause 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.

Broken Timing Belt

The timing belt synchronizes the camshaft and crankshaft. If it snaps, the valves and pistons aren't synchronized properly and your Chevrolet Kommando won't start.

Signs of a bad timing belt:

• No start
• Unusual ticking noise

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 Kommando.

Detached or Loose Battery Cable

A detached battery cable can disrupt electricity flow in your Chevrolet. 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 Kommando 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 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.

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 issue, it can be challenging to pinpoint the exact cause 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 Kommando|Chevrolet Kommando starting again ASAP.

3. Chat with a Chevy Mechanic Online

This is a superb option for most DIYers or car aficionados. It's many times  an easy fix you can do yourself, like changing or recharging 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. Well, it's your lucky day, an online mechanic can supply all the assistance, guidance, and recommendations you need, right away by online chat. You can then carry out the easy mend yourself.

The top online mechanic we propose is JustAnswer, and through our link, you can get a trial of their service for just $5, inquire unlimited inquiries for a week, get the help you require, and you do not need to keep going with the service after that. We love JustAnswer for this purpose, expert auto mechanic help for just $5 is an unbeatable price.

The certified mechanics at JustAnswer's Ask a Mechanic service are accessible 24/7 to provide virtual troubleshooting and advice. The benefits of asking a mechanic online include:

• Convenience: Get help from the comfort of your residence without having to schedule an appointment or wait at a shop.
• Fast answers; Mechanics respond quickly 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 recorded in writing, providing helpful reference.
• Expert help; Skilled licensed mechanics have the know-how to troubleshoot Chevy Kommando|Chevrolet Kommando 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 Kommando or your Chevrolet Lacetti 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 rapid clicking“, consider our chat with a Chrevrolet mechanic free service.  In just minutes, you can get expert Chevrolet knowledge to help get your beloved Kommando started again.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)