Chevrolet Lanos 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 leaves you stranded and clueless about the issue. The good news is that a number of familiar culprits make a Lanoss 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 fourteen most common causes your Chevrolet Lanos won't start and provide helpful tips to get your car running again.

Dead Battery

The most common cause a Chevrolet doesn't crank is a dead or weak battery. Your battery supplies the initial burst of electricity to turn over the engine and get it started.

Signs 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 available in case of a dead battery emergency. Jump starting your Chevy Lanos using a good battery or portable charger can supply enough juice to get it cranked.

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

Bad Alternator

If your battery checks out but your Chevrolet Lanos still won't turn over, the culprit may be a faulty alternator. This key component charges your battery when running and energizes the electrical system.

Signs of a bad alternator:

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

The Fix: Get your alternator checked immediately by a mechanic. A bad alternator can rapidly deplete 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 run your car. When they are fouled or worn out, your Lanos 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 wear out. Most last 30k+ miles. Have your plugs checked and change any bad ones. Using quality gas helps avoid buildup.

Ignition System Issues

Problems 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, try 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.

Bad Starter

The starter motor engages when you turn the key to start the engine. If it's damaged, your Chevy Lanos 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 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 Chevy'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 restrict fuel delivery to the engine, preventing your Chevrolet Lanos from starting.

Signs of a clogged filter:

• Difficulty starting
• Engine sputtering
• Decreased fuel economy

The Fix: Change the filter per your schedule 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 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 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 worn parts can cause a no start.

Symptoms 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 aren't synchronized properly and your Chevrolet Lanos 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 Lanos.

Detached or Loose 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 Lanos 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.

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.

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 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 potential causes for a no start problem, it can be challenging to identify the exact problem yourself. In some cases, seeking aid 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 Lanos|Chevrolet Lanos starting again ASAP.

3. Chat with a Chevy Mechanic Online

This is a wonderful option for most DIYers or car enthusiasts. It's many times  a simple mend you can do on your own, like switching out or powering up the battery. In these cases, if you know what to do one step after another, you can do it on your own, you are not required to pay a mechanic in person. Alright, it's your fortunate day, an online mechanic can supply all the help, guidance, and recommendations you need, instantly by online chat. You can then perform the easy fix yourself.

The finest 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 require, and you are not obligated to keep going with the service after that. We adore JustAnswer for this purpose, professional auto mechanic help for just $5 is an unmatchable price.

The qualified mechanics at JustAnswer's Ask a Mechanic service are available 24/7 to provide virtual troubleshooting and advice. The benefits 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 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 logged in writing, providing helpful reference.
• Expert assistance; Experienced licensed mechanics have the know-how to troubleshoot Chevy Lanos|Chevrolet Lanos 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 Lanos or your Chevrolet Lova 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 clicking noise but battery is good“, consider our Chrevrolet expert live chat service.  In just minutes, you can leverage expert Chevrolet knowledge to help get your beloved Lanos going again.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)