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

In this comprehensive guide, we're going to look at the top 14 causes your Chevy SSR doesn't start and provide helpful suggestions to get your car running again.

Dead Battery

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

Signs of a dead battery:

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

The Fix: Keep jumper cables available for a dead battery situation. Jump starting your Chevy SSR using a good battery or jump box can supply enough juice to get it started.

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

Faulty Alternator

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

Clues of a bad alternator:

• Battery warning indicator illuminating
• Electronics fading
• Difficulty starting, particularly following short trips

The Fix: Get your alternator inspected ASAP 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 fire the air/fuel ratio in the cylinders to power your car. When they are dirty, bad, or corroded, your SSR 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 wear out. Most last 30k+ miles. Have your plugs checked and change any faulty ones. Using quality gas prevents buildup.

Ignition Problems

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

Signs of ignition trouble:

• No noise upon turning key
• Instrument panel flickering
• Key won't turn

The Fix: For fob issues, try the battery. For other problems, have the system inspected and repaired 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 start the engine. If it's worn out, your Chevy SSR may not turn over.

Symptoms of a bad starter:

• No noise upon turning key
• Clicking but no turnover
• Unusual noises

The Fix: Have your starter inspected and repaired 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 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.

Blocked or Clogged Fuel Filter

A clogged fuel filter can constrain fuel flow to the engine, preventing your Chevy SSR from turning over.

Symptoms of a clogged filter:

• Difficulty starting
• Engine sputtering
• Decreased fuel economy

The Fix: Replace the filter when due or if suspected 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 delivers 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 sound 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.

Timing Belt Failure

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

Symptoms of a bad timing belt:

• No start
• Unusual ticking noise

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 SSR.

Loose or Detached Battery Cable

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

Signs of a bad cable:

• Corroded terminals
• Power loss from moving 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 SSR 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 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 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 situation, it can be tough to pinpoint the exact cause yourself. In some cases, seeking 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 SSR|Chevrolet SSR starting again ASAP.

3. Chat with a Chevy Mechanic Online

This is a superb choice for most DIYers or car buff. It's often  a straightforward mend you can do on your own, like switching out or powering up the battery. In these instances, if you understand what to do in a stepwise fashion, you can do it on your own, you do not have to pay a mechanic in person. Well, it's your lucky day, an online mechanic can provide all the assistance, guidance, and recommendations you require, right away by online chat. You can then carry out the easy mend on your own.

The top online mechanic we propose is JustAnswer, and through our link, you can get a trial of their service for just $5, request endless questions for a week, get the help you need, and you don't have to continue the service 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 accessible 24/7 to provide online analysis and recommendations. The advantages of consulting with a mechanic online are:

• Convenience: Get help from home without having to schedule an appointment or wait at a shop.
• Fast responses; Mechanics answer back in minutes 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 knowledge; Skilled licensed mechanics have the know-how to solve Chevy SSR|Chevrolet SSR 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 SSR or your Chevrolet Starcraft 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 wont start clicks once then nothing“, consider our ask Chrevrolet mechanic a question service.  In just minutes, you can leverage expert Chevrolet knowledge to help get your beloved SSR starting again.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)