Chevrolet Matiz 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. Luckily, some common problems lead to Chevy Matiz not starting, many of which can be fixed DIY or quickly by a mechanic.

In this comprehensive guide, we're going to look at the top 14 causes your Chevrolet Matiz won't start and offer helpful tips to get your car started again.

Dead Battery

The most common reason a Chevy doesn't crank is a dead or drained battery. Your battery supplies the initial jolt of electricity to turn over 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 for a dead battery situation. Jump starting your Chevy Matiz using a good battery or jump box can supply enough juice to get it started.

You can also try cleaning corroded 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 Matiz still won't turn over, the culprit may be a bad alternator. This vital part charges your battery when running and powers the electrical system.

Signs of a bad alternator:

• Battery warning light coming on
• Electronics dimming
• Difficulty 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.

Faulty Spark Plugs

Spark plugs fire the air/fuel ratio in the cylinders to power your car. When they are dirty, bad, or corroded, your Matiz may not start due to no spark.

Signs of bad spark plugs:

• Poor fuel economy
• Rough idle
• Engine misfiring

The Fix: Spark plugs need regular replacement as they wear out. Most last 30k+ miles. Have your plugs inspected and change any bad ones. Using quality gas helps avoid buildup.

Ignition Problems

Issues 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, try the battery. For other problems, have the system diagnosed 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 Matiz may not crank.

Signs of a bad starter:

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

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 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.

Clogged Fuel Filter

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

Signs of a clogged filter:

• Hard time starting
• Engine misfiring
• Decreased fuel economy

The Fix: Change 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.

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
• Hard time starting
• Stalling after starting

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 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.

Timing Belt Failure

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

Symptoms 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 Matiz.

Detached or Loose Battery Cable

A loose battery cable can block 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 Matiz 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 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 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 issue, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause 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 Matiz|Chevrolet Matiz starting again ASAP.

3. Chat with a Chevy Mechanic Online

This is a fantastic possibility for most DIYers or car enthusiasts. It's frequently  an easy repair you can do yourself, like changing or powering up the battery. In these cases, if you are aware of what to do one step after another, you can do it on your own, you do not have to pay a mechanic locally. Well, it's your lucky day, an online mechanic can offer all the help, guidance, and recommendations you need, right away by online chat. You can then perform the simple mend on your own.

The best online mechanic we propose is JustAnswer, and through our link, you can get a free trial of their service for just $5, request unlimited questions for a week, get the assistance you need, and you don't have to keep going with the service after that. We love JustAnswer for this reason, 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 online analysis and advice. The advantages of asking a mechanic online are:

• Convenience: Get help from home without having to schedule an appointment or wait at a shop.
• Fast answers; Mechanics reply quickly 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 logged in writing, providing helpful reference.
• Expert assistance; Experienced licensed mechanics have the knowledge to troubleshoot Chevy Matiz|Chevrolet Matiz 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 Matiz or your Chevrolet Meriva 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 wont start but has power“, consider our free Chrevrolet mechanic advice service.  In just minutes, you can access expert Chevrolet knowledge to help get your beloved Matiz fired up again.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)