Chevrolet Onix 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 fails to start leaves you stuck on the side of the road trying to figure out the problem. The good news is that a number of familiar culprits make an Onixs 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 reasons your Chevy Onix won't start and offer helpful tips to get your car started again.

Dead Battery

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

Signs of a dead battery:

• Silence upon turning the key – no engine cranking
• Electronics 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 Onix using another vehicle or jump box can deliver enough charge to get it cranked.

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

Bad Alternator

If your battery tests fine but your Chevy Onix still won't crank, the issue may be a bad alternator. This key component charges your battery when running and powers the electronics.

Clues of a bad alternator:

• Battery warning light coming on
• Electronics dimming
• Hard time starting, particularly following 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 fuel/air mixture in the cylinders to power your car. When they are fouled or worn out, your Onix may not start due to no spark.

Signs of bad spark plugs:

• Poor fuel economy
• Rough idle
• Engine sputtering

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

Ignition System Issues

Issues with ignition components like the switch, lock cylinder, fob, or wiring can prevent your Chevrolet 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 crank the engine. If it's damaged, your Chevy Onix may not turn over.

Symptoms of a bad starter:

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

The Fix: Have your starter tested and replaced 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 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 Onix from starting.

Symptoms of a clogged filter:

• Difficulty starting
• Engine sputtering
• Decreased fuel economy

The Fix: Replace 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 required to combust the air/fuel mixture. Low compression from worn parts can lead to 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.

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 Onix won't start.

Symptoms of a bad timing belt:

• No start
• Unusual clicking sound

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 Onix.

Detached or Loose Battery Cable

A loose battery cable can disrupt electricity current in your Chevy. This common problem can prevent starting.

Symptoms of a bad cable:

• Corroded terminals
• Power loss from moving 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.

Bad Relays

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

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 issue, it can be tough to pinpoint the exact issue yourself. In some cases, getting aid 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 Onix|Chevrolet Onix starting again ASAP.

3. Chat with a Chevy Mechanic Online

This is a superb choice for most DIYers or car buff. It's many times  a simple repair you can do yourself, like switching out or powering up the battery. In these cases, if you understand what to do in a stepwise fashion, you can do it yourself, you don't need to pay a mechanic on-site. Alright, it's your fortunate day, an online mechanic can offer all the help, advice, and recommendations you require, immediately by online chat. You can then execute the straightforward mend on your own.

The best online mechanic we propose is JustAnswer, and through our link, you can get a trial of their assistance for just $5, ask unlimited questions for a week, get the help you require, and you do not need to keep going with the assistance after that. We love JustAnswer for this purpose, professional 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 online analysis and advice. The benefits of asking a mechanic online are:

• Convenience: Get help from home without having to schedule an appointment or wait at a shop.
• Fast replies; Mechanics respond in minutes 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 knowledge; Seasoned licensed mechanics have the expertise to address Chevy Onix|Chevrolet Onix 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 an Onix or your Chevrolet Optra 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 “steering wheel won't lock and Chevy wont start“, consider our ask Chrevrolet mechanic online free service.  In just minutes, you can get expert Chevrolet knowledge to help get your beloved Onix fired up again.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)