Chevrolet Spin 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 won't start will leave you stuck on the side of the road trying to figure out the problem. Luckily, some common problems lead to Chevy Spin not starting, many of which can be fixed DIY or quickly by a mechanic.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the top 14 causes your Chevrolet Spin doesn't start and offer helpful suggestions to get your car running again.

Drained or Dead Battery

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

Signs 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 situation. Jump starting your Chevy Spin using a good battery or jump box can deliver enough juice to get it started.

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

Bad Alternator

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

Signs of a bad alternator:

• Battery warning light coming on
• Electronics dimming
• Hard time starting, especially after short trips

The Fix: Get your alternator checked ASAP 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 fuel/air mixture in the cylinders to run your car. When they are dirty, bad, or corroded, your Spin may not start due to no spark.

Signs of bad spark plugs:

• Poor fuel economy
• Rough idle
• Engine hesitating

The Fix: Spark plugs need regular replacement as they wear out. Most last 30k+ miles. Have your plugs inspected 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 Chevrolet from starting.

Symptoms of ignition trouble:

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

The Fix: For fob issues, try 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 Chevy Spin may not crank.

Signs of a bad starter:

• No noise upon turning key
• Clicking but no cranking
• Unusual grinding or whining

The Fix: Have your starter tested and replaced 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 Chevrolet's safety features will prevent it from cranking.

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

Signs 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 change often. 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 Chevrolet 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 worn parts can lead to a no start.

Symptoms 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 Chevy Spin won't start.

Symptoms of a bad timing belt:

• No start
• Unusual ticking noise

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 Spin.

Loose or Detached Battery Cable

A detached battery cable can block electricity current 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.

Bad Relays

Relays control power to components like the starter, fuel pump, and computer. Failure can prevent your Chevy Spin 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 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 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 problem, it can be challenging to identify the exact problem yourself. In some cases, using aid 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 Spin|Chevrolet Spin starting again ASAP.

3. Chat with a Chevy Mechanic Online

This is a wonderful choice for most DIYers or car aficionados. It's frequently  an easy repair you can do on your own, like changing or recharging the battery. In these cases, if you understand what to do step by step, you can do it on your own, you are not required to pay a mechanic locally. Alright, it's your lucky day, an online mechanic can supply all the help, guidance, and advice you need, immediately by online chat. You can then perform the straightforward fix yourself.

The finest online mechanic we propose is JustAnswer, and through our link, you can get a free trial of their assistance for just $5, ask endless inquiries for a week, get the assistance you need, and you are not obligated to continue the service after that. We adore JustAnswer for this purpose, expert auto mechanic assistance 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 perks of consulting with a mechanic online are:

• Convenience: Get help from the comfort of your residence without having to schedule an appointment or wait at a shop.
• Fast answers; Mechanics answer back 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 knowledge; Experienced licensed mechanics have the know-how to troubleshoot Chevy Spin|Chevrolet Spin 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 Spin or your Chevrolet SS 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 “bad alternator Chevy wont start“, consider our Chrevrolet mechanic question and answer service.  In just minutes, you can get expert Chevrolet knowledge to help get your beloved Spin going again.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)