Chevrolet Venture 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 fails to start will leave you stranded and clueless about the issue. Luckily, some common problems lead to Chevy Venture 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 fourteen most common reasons your Chevrolet Venture doesn't start and offer helpful suggestions to get your car started again.

Dead Battery

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

Signs of a dead battery:

• Silence upon turning the key – no clicking or turnover
• Electronics not powering on
• Difficulty starting in cold weather

How to Fix It: Keep jumper cables on hand for a dead battery situation. Jump starting your Chevy Venture using a good battery or jump box can supply enough charge to get it cranked.

You can also clean corroded battery terminals that are blocking 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 Chevy Venture still won't crank, the issue may be a faulty alternator. This vital part charges your battery when running and powers the electronics.

Clues of a bad alternator:

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

The Fix: Get your alternator checked immediately 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 Venture may not start due to no spark.

Signs of bad spark plugs:

• Poor fuel economy
• Rough idle
• Engine misfiring

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

Ignition System Issues

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

Signs of ignition trouble:

• No noise upon turning key
• Instrument panel flickering
• 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 worn out, your Chevrolet Venture 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 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 blocked fuel filter can constrain fuel flow to the engine, preventing your Chevy Venture from turning over.

Signs 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 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.

Faulty Fuel Pump

The fuel pump draws 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 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.

Compression Issues

Proper compression is needed to combust the air/fuel mixture. Low compression from leaks can cause a no start.

Signs 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 Venture won't start.

Signs 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 Venture.

Loose or Detached Battery Cable

A loose battery cable can disrupt 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: 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.

Faulty Relays

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

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 issue, it can be challenging to identify the exact issue 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 Venture|Chevrolet Venture starting again ASAP.

3. Chat with a Chevy Mechanic Online

This is a superb possibility for most DIYers or car buff. It's many times  a straightforward fix you can do on your own, like switching out or recharging the battery. In these situations, if you understand what to do one step after another, you can do it yourself, you are not required to pay a mechanic on-site. Alright, it's your lucky day, an online mechanic can offer all the help, guidance, and advice you require, instantly by online chat. You can then execute the straightforward fix yourself.

The best online mechanic we propose is JustAnswer, and through our link, you can get a free trial of their service for just $5, request endless questions for a week, get the assistance you require, and you are not obligated to keep going with the service after that. We adore JustAnswer for this reason, expert 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 remote diagnostics and recommendations. The advantages of querying a mechanic online include:

• Convenience: Get help from your house without having to schedule an appointment or wait at a shop.
• Fast answers; 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 recorded in writing, providing helpful reference.
• Expert help; Experienced licensed mechanics have the know-how to solve Chevy Venture|Chevrolet Venture 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 Venture or your Chevrolet Vitara 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 “hit a pothole now Chevy wont start“, consider our ask a Chrevrolet mechanic free chat service.  In just minutes, you can get expert Chevrolet knowledge to help get your beloved Venture starting again.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)