Chevrolet SS 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 won't start leaves you stranded and clueless about the issue. Luckily, some common problems lead to Chevrolet SS not starting, many of which can be fixed DIY or quickly by a mechanic.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the fourteen most common causes your Chevrolet SS won't start and provide helpful suggestions to get your car running again.

Dead Battery

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

Signs of a dead battery:

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

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

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

Faulty Alternator

If your battery tests fine but your Chevy SS still won't turn over, the issue may be a bad alternator. This key component charges your battery while driving and energizes the electrical system.

Signs of a bad alternator:

• Battery warning indicator illuminating
• Lights dimming
• Difficulty starting, especially after short trips

The Fix: Get your alternator inspected immediately 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 fire the air/fuel ratio in the cylinders to run your car. When they are dirty, bad, or corroded, your SS may not start due to no spark.

Clues of bad spark plugs:

• Poor fuel economy
• Rough idle
• Engine misfiring

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 helps avoid buildup.

Ignition Problems

Problems with ignition components like the switch, lock cylinder, fob, or wiring can prevent your Chevy from cranking.

Signs 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 diagnosed and fixed 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 worn out, your Chevrolet SS 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 inspected and repaired 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 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.

Blocked or Clogged Fuel Filter

A blocked fuel filter can constrain fuel delivery to the engine, preventing your Chevrolet SS from turning over.

Symptoms of a clogged filter:

• Difficulty starting
• Engine misfiring
• Decreased fuel economy

The Fix: Change the filter per your schedule or if thought clogged. Use quality gas and replace 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
• 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 damage can lead to 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 aren't synchronized properly and your Chevy SS won't start.

Signs of a bad timing belt:

• No start
• Unusual ticking noise

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 SS.

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 SS 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 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 issues for a no start situation, it can be tough 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 SS|Chevrolet SS starting again ASAP.

3. Chat with a Chevy Mechanic Online

This is a great choice for most DIYers or car enthusiasts. It's many times  a simple repair you can do on your own, like replacing or recharging the battery. In these cases, if you are aware of what to do one step after another, you can do it yourself, you don't need to pay a mechanic locally. Alright, it's your fortunate day, an online mechanic can offer all the assistance, advice, and recommendations you require, right away by online chat. You can then execute the simple mend yourself.

The best online mechanic we propose is JustAnswer, and through our link, you can get a trial of their service for just $5, ask unlimited inquiries for a week, get the assistance you require, and you don't have to keep going with the service after that. We love JustAnswer for this reason, specialist auto mechanic help for just $5 is an unmatchable price.

The licensed mechanics at JustAnswer's Ask a Mechanic service are accessible 24/7 to provide online analysis and advice. The perks of querying a mechanic online include:

• Convenience: Get help from home without having to schedule an appointment or wait at a shop.
• Fast responses; Mechanics reply 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 saved in writing, providing helpful reference.
• Expert knowledge; Skilled licensed mechanics have the knowledge to address Chevy SS|Chevrolet SS 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 SS or your Chevrolet SSR 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 “why wont my Chevrolet start“, consider our Chrevrolet mechanic online help service.  In just minutes, you can access expert Chevrolet knowledge to help get your beloved SS fired up again.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)