Chevrolet Suburban Won't Start? Quickly Solved! (2024) (2024)

As a certified auto mechanic with in excess of twenty years of experience, I’ve seen a fair share of Chevys that fail to start. Hi, I’m Robby and I get how annoying this can be for people, especially when you have things to do and places to be. But don’t panic! In this article, I’ll share my inner knowledge on the top reasons your Chevy Suburbanwon’t start, in addition to useful tips to get you back on the road speedily.

With advanced certifications in electrical systems and engine performance, I’ve found and fixed just about every “no start” issue out there. I’ll talk you through how to analyze your Suburban’s symptoms, figure out the cause, and determine if it’s a home remedy or best left to a professional mechanic. I’ll also give recommendations for products that can help you solve your issue, as well as make sure it doesn’t happen again in the future.

Dead Battery in a Chevrolet Suburban

The most common cause a Chevrolet won’t start is a dead or weak battery. Your battery supplies the initial jolt of electricity to turn over the engine and get it running.

Signs of a dead battery:

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

How to Fix It: Keep jumper cables available for a dead battery situation. Jump starting your Chevy Suburban using another vehicle or jump box can supply enough charge to get it started.

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

Bad Alternator in a Chevrolet Suburban

If your battery tests fine but your Chevrolet Suburban still won’t turn over, the culprit may be a faulty alternator. This vital part charges your battery when running and powers the electronics.

Signs of a bad alternator:

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

The Fix: Get your alternator checked right away 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 in a Chevrolet Suburban

Spark plugs ignite the air/fuel ratio in the cylinders to power your car. When they are fouled or worn out, your Suburban may not start due to no spark.

Clues of bad spark plugs:

• Poor fuel economy
• Rough idle
• Engine hesitating

The Fix: Spark plugs need periodic replacement as they wear out. Most last 30k+ miles. Have your plugs inspected and change any faulty ones. Using quality gas prevents buildup.

Ignition System Issues in a Chevrolet Suburban

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

Symptoms of ignition trouble:

• No noise upon turning key
• Dashboard 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.

Bad Starter in a Chevrolet Suburban

The starter motor engages when you turn the key to crank the engine. If it’s damaged, your Chevrolet Suburban may not crank.

Signs of a bad starter:

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

The Fix: Have your starter tested and replaced if faulty. This requires the help of a professional mechanic to diagnose and repair.

Transmission Not in Park/Neutral in a Chevrolet Suburban

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 in a Chevrolet Suburban

A blocked fuel filter can restrict fuel delivery to the engine, preventing your Chevy Suburban from starting.

Signs of a clogged filter:

• Difficulty starting
• Engine misfiring
• Decreased fuel economy

The Fix: Replace the filter per your schedule 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 in a Chevrolet Suburban

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 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.

Low Engine Compression in a Chevrolet Suburban

Proper compression is needed to combust the air/fuel mixture. Low compression from worn parts 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.

Broken Timing Belt in a Chevrolet Suburban

The timing belt synchronizes the camshaft and crankshaft. If it breaks, the valves and pistons aren’t synchronized properly and your Chevrolet Suburban won’t start.

Symptoms of a bad timing belt:

• No start
• Unusual ticking noise

The Fix: Have your belt checked and replaced immediately if broken. This requires a local professional mechanic to replace the timing belt of your Chevy Suburban.

Loose or Detached Battery Cable in a Chevrolet Suburban

A detached 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 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 in a Chevrolet Suburban

Relays control power to components like the starter, fuel pump, and computer. Failure can prevent your Chevy Suburban 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 clear 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 difficult to pinpoint the exact problem yourself. In some cases, seeking help from an experienced mechanic can save you time 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 Chevrolet Mechanic Near You

Having a qualified mobile mechanic come to your Chevrolet Suburban 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.

3. Chat with a Chevy Mechanic Online

This is a great possibility for most DIYers or car enthusiasts. It’s many times an easy repair you can do on your own, like replacing or charging the battery. In these instances, if you are aware of what to do in a stepwise fashion, you can do it yourself, you are not required to pay a mechanic locally. Well, it’s your lucky day, an online mechanic can offer all the assistance, guidance, and advice you require, immediately by online chat. You can then carry out the straightforward mend yourself.

The top online mechanic we suggest is JustAnswer, and through our link, you can get a trial of their service for just $5, inquire unlimited questions for a week, get the assistance you require, and you are not obligated to continue the service after that. We love JustAnswer for this reason, specialist auto mechanic assistance for just $5 is an unbeatable price.

The certified mechanics at JustAnswer’s Ask a Mechanic service are available 24/7 to provide virtual troubleshooting and recommendations. The perks of querying 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 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 assistance; Seasoned licensed mechanics have the know-how to solve Chevy Suburban|Chevrolet Suburban 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 Suburban or your Chevrolet Tacuma 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 no click“, consider our speak to a Chrevrolet mechanic service. In just minutes, you can leverage expert Chevrolet knowledge to help get your beloved Suburban started again.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) When a Chevrolet Suburban Won’t Start

Chevrolet Suburban won’t start but lights come on?

If your Chevrolet Suburbans lights illuminate but it still won’t start, the issue is likely not related to the battery. It’s highly possible there is a problem with the engine starter. Investigate if you hear any clicking sounds when attempting to crank the key. If so, the starter motor is attempting to activate but failing. Get a mechanic examine the starter motor – it may need to be repaired or replaced.

Chevrolet Suburban won’t start but has power?

When your Chevrolet Suburban has power (lights, radio etc work) but fails to start, there may be a fuel delivery problem. Issues like a faulty fuel pump relay could prevent fuel getting to the engine. Without enough fuel, combustion can’t happen and the engine won’t start. Check around the back seat when turning the key – you should hear the fuel pump prime for a few seconds. If not, have a mechanic check the fuel system.

Chevrolet Suburban won’t start but battery is good?

If your Chevrolet Suburban’s battery tests fine and is fully charged, but the car still refuses to start, the underlying cause is likely electrical. Possible issues include a bad ignition switch, broken sensor, or wiring problems. As electrical issues can be tricky, diagnosis by a professional mechanic is best. They can correctly pinpoint the specific electrical fault and have it repaired.

Chevrolet Suburban won’t start just clicking?

When you turn the key and there’s only a clicking noise but the engine fails to turn over, the most common cause is a faulty starter motor. The click comes from the starter solenoid trying to engage the starter motor, but the motor itself fails to crank the engine. As the starter motor needs mechanical repair or replacing, consult with a reliable mechanic to get your Chevrolet Suburban running again.