Chevrolet Prizm 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 stuck on the side of the road trying to figure out the problem. Luckily, some common problems lead to Chevy Prizm not starting, many of which can be fixed DIY or quickly by a mechanic.

In this comprehensive guide, we will examine the top 14 reasons your Chevy Prizm doesn't start and offer helpful tips to get your car running again.

Drained or Dead Battery

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

Signs of a dead battery:

• Silence upon turning the key – no engine cranking
• Accessories not powering on
• Hard time starting in cold weather

The Fix: Keep jumper cables on hand in case of a dead battery situation. Jump starting your Chevy Prizm using another vehicle or jump box can deliver enough charge 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 recharging if old.

Bad Alternator

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

Signs of a bad alternator:

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

The Fix: Get your alternator inspected ASAP 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 dirty, bad, or corroded, your Prizm 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 degrade. Most last 30k+ miles. Have your plugs checked and change any faulty ones. Using quality gas helps avoid buildup.

Ignition System Issues

Problems with parts like the switch, lock cylinder, fob, or wiring can prevent your Chevrolet from starting.

Symptoms of ignition trouble:

• No noise upon turning key
• Dashboard malfunctioning
• Key won't turn

The Fix: For fob issues, replace the battery. For other problems, have the system diagnosed 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 crank the engine. If it's damaged, your Chevrolet Prizm 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.

Not in Park or 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 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.

Blocked or Clogged Fuel Filter

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

Symptoms of a clogged filter:

• Difficulty starting
• Engine misfiring
• Decreased fuel economy

The Fix: Replace 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.

Bad or Failing Fuel Pump

The fuel pump transfers gas from the tank to the engine. If it fails, your Chevy won't start due to no fuel.

Signs of a bad pump:

• No pump noise 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 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.

Broken Timing Belt

The timing belt synchronizes the camshaft and crankshaft. If it breaks, the valves and pistons won't be timed properly and your Chevy Prizm 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 Prizm.

Detached or Loose Battery Cable

A loose battery cable can disrupt electricity flow in your Chevrolet. 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.

Faulty Relays

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

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 issues for a no start situation, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact issue 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 Prizm|Chevrolet Prizm starting again ASAP.

3. Chat with a Chevy Mechanic Online

This is a superb possibility for most DIYers or car enthusiasts. It's many times  a simple mend you can do yourself, like replacing or recharging the battery. In these situations, if you know what to do in a stepwise fashion, you can do it yourself, you do not have to pay a mechanic in person. Well, it's your lucky day, an online mechanic can offer all the help, guidance, and advice you need, right away by online chat. You can then perform the easy mend yourself.

The top online mechanic we propose is JustAnswer, and through our link, you can get a trial of their assistance for just $5, ask endless inquiries for a week, get the assistance you require, and you don't have to keep going with the service after that. We adore JustAnswer for this purpose, professional auto mechanic help for just $5 is an unbeatable price.

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

• Convenience: Get help from your house without having to schedule an appointment or wait at a shop.
• Fast answers; Mechanics reply quickly with likely issues 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; Experienced licensed mechanics have the expertise to address Chevy Prizm|Chevrolet Prizm 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 Prizm or your Chevrolet Rezzo 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 makes clicking noise“, consider our how to talk to a Chrevrolet mechanic service.  In just minutes, you can leverage expert Chevrolet knowledge to help get your beloved Prizm started again.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)