Chevrolet Spark 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 won't start will leave you stranded and clueless about the issue. Fortunately, there are several well-known issues that can cause a Spark to not start, and you can repair many of them on your own or with a mechanic's help.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the top 14 causes your Chevy Spark won't start and offer helpful suggestions to get your car started 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 crank the engine and get it started.

Indications of a dead battery:

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

The Fix: Keep jumper cables on hand in case of a dead battery emergency. Jump starting your Chevy Spark using a good battery or portable charger can supply enough charge to get it cranked.

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

Bad Alternator

If your battery checks out but your Chevrolet Spark still won't crank, the culprit may be a bad alternator. This key component charges your battery when running and powers the electrical system.

Signs of a bad alternator:

• Battery warning light coming on
• Electronics fading
• 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 run your car. When they are fouled or worn out, your Spark may not start due to no spark.

Clues of bad spark plugs:

• Poor fuel economy
• Rough idle
• Engine misfiring

The Fix: Spark plugs need periodic replacement as they degrade. Most last 30k+ miles. Have your plugs checked and swap any bad ones. Using quality gas prevents buildup.

Ignition System Issues

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
• Dashboard flickering
• 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 crank the engine. If it's damaged, your Chevrolet Spark may not crank.

Symptoms of a bad starter:

• No noise upon turning key
• Clicking but no turnover
• 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.

Clogged Fuel Filter

A clogged fuel filter can restrict fuel delivery to the engine, preventing your Chevrolet Spark from turning over.

Signs 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 Chevy 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.

Compression Issues

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 keeps the camshaft and crankshaft. If it breaks, the valves and pistons won't be timed properly and your Chevrolet Spark 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 Spark.

Loose or Detached Battery Cable

A detached battery cable can block electricity flow in your Chevy. This common problem can prevent starting.

Symptoms 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 Spark 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.

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 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 possible reasons for a no start problem, it can be tough to pinpoint the exact issue yourself. In some cases, using 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 Spark|Chevrolet Spark starting again ASAP.

3. Chat with a Chevy Mechanic Online

This is a superb option for most DIYers or car aficionados. It's frequently  an easy repair you can do yourself, like changing or charging the battery. In these instances, if you know what to do in a stepwise fashion, you can do it yourself, you do not have to pay a mechanic on-site. Well, it's your fortunate day, an online mechanic can supply all the help, guidance, and advice you need, instantly by online chat. You can then perform the easy repair on your own.

The best online mechanic we suggest is JustAnswer, and through our link, you can get a trial of their assistance for just $5, ask endless 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 purpose, specialist auto mechanic help for just $5 is an unmatchable price.

The certified mechanics at JustAnswer's Ask a Mechanic service are ready 24/7 to provide remote diagnostics and recommendations. The benefits 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 rapidly 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 saved in writing, providing helpful reference.
• Expert help; Skilled licensed mechanics have the knowledge to address Chevy Spark|Chevrolet Spark 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 Spark or your Chevrolet Spin 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 “new battery but my Chevrolet still wont start“, consider our Chrevrolet mechanic help online free service.  In just minutes, you can access expert Chevrolet knowledge to help get your beloved Spark fired up again.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)