Chevrolet Orlando 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 immobilized and uncertain about the cause. Fortunately, there are several well-known issues that can cause an Orlando to not start, and you can repair many of them on your own or with a mechanic's help.

In this comprehensive guide, we're going to look at the fourteen most common causes your Chevy Orlando won't start and offer helpful tips to get your car running again.

Drained or Dead Battery

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

Signs of a dead battery:

• Silence upon turning the key – no clicking or turnover
• Electronics not powering on
• Hard time starting in cold weather

How to Fix It: Keep jumper cables on hand in case of a dead battery emergency. Jump starting your Chevrolet Orlando using a good battery or jump box can supply enough juice to get it started.

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

Bad Alternator

If your battery checks out but your Chevy Orlando still won't crank, the culprit may be a faulty alternator. This vital part charges your battery when running and energizes the electronics.

Clues of a bad alternator:

• Battery warning indicator illuminating
• Electronics fading
• Hard time 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.

Bad or Fouled Spark Plugs

Spark plugs ignite the fuel/air mixture in the cylinders to run your car. When they are dirty, bad, or corroded, your Orlando may not start due to no spark.

Clues of bad spark plugs:

• Poor fuel economy
• Rough idle
• Engine sputtering

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

Ignition Problems

Problems with parts 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 fixed 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 worn out, your Chevy Orlando may not crank.

Signs 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.

Not in Park or Neutral

If your transmission isn't in Park or Neutral, your Chevrolet's safety features will prevent it from starting.

The Fix: Shift into Park/Neutral and try once more. 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 delivery to the engine, preventing your Chevrolet Orlando from turning over.

Symptoms of a clogged filter:

• Hard time starting
• Engine misfiring
• Decreased fuel economy

The Fix: Replace the filter when due or if thought clogged. Use quality gas and replace 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 draws gas from the tank to the engine. If it fails, your Chevy won't start due to no fuel.

Symptoms of a bad pump:

• No pump noise upon turning key
• Hard time 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 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 synchronizes the camshaft and crankshaft. If it breaks, the valves and pistons won't be timed properly and your Chevy Orlando won't start.

Symptoms of a bad timing belt:

• No start
• Unusual clicking sound

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

Detached or Loose Battery Cable

A loose 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: 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 Orlando 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 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 issues for a no start problem, it can be tough to determine the exact issue 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 Orlando|Chevrolet Orlando starting again ASAP.

3. Chat with a Chevy Mechanic Online

This is a great possibility for most DIYers or car enthusiasts. It's often  a straightforward mend you can do yourself, like changing or recharging the battery. In these situations, if you know what to do in a stepwise fashion, you can do it yourself, you are not required to pay a mechanic on-site. Well, it's your fortunate day, an online mechanic can supply all the help, advice, and advice you require, right away by online chat. You can then carry out the easy fix on your own.

The best online mechanic we suggest is JustAnswer, and through our link, you can get a free trial of their service for just $5, inquire endless questions for a week, get the assistance you need, and you are not obligated to continue the assistance after that. We love JustAnswer for this purpose, specialist auto mechanic help for just $5 is an unbeatable price.

The certified mechanics at JustAnswer's Ask a Mechanic service are available 24/7 to provide remote diagnostics and advice. The advantages of asking a mechanic online include:

• Convenience: Get help from home without having to schedule an appointment or wait at a shop.
• Fast answers; Mechanics respond in minutes 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 assistance; Seasoned licensed mechanics have the know-how to solve Chevy Orlando|Chevrolet Orlando 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 Orlando or your Chevrolet Prisma 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 turns over but wont start“, consider our ask a Chrevrolet mechanic a question for free service.  In just minutes, you can access expert Chevrolet knowledge to help get your beloved Orlando going again.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)