Every 3-4 months, my car won’t start. It does turn over though.
This started about 1 year ago. Every 3-4 months, my car won't start. It turns over, almost starts, and then dies. Then turning the key, it will continue to turn over, but just won't start. The first time it happened, someone suggested giving it a jump. That worked. Not sure why. So that's what I do every time it happens now. I have no idea what's causing this or seeing any trends for when it happens. Like I said, it only happens every few months. It doesn't start. I jump it. It starts. And then starts every time thereafter for a few months until it randomly doesn't want
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
If your battery is weak or has bad connections to the battery, then you may have problems starting the vehicle intermittently. This is due to low voltage to the starter which is taking all the power, while the electronic ignition and the electric fuel pump get cut short. This will cause the vehicle not to start.
You may think the vehicle is turning over okay, but the starter is taking in all of the power just to turn over the motor. You should get the battery and it’s cables checked, as well as the charging system, for any problems by a qualified mechanic so they can diagnose the problem and do any repairs needed to prevent this problem in the future.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
The most common reasons a Chevrolet Colorado won`t start are a dead battery, an alternator problem, or failed starter.
How long do Chevy Colorados last? Proper maintenance plays a big role in longevity, but the Colorado can be expected to last 200,000 to 300,000 miles.
The inertia switch is located behind the trim on the left-hand side of the vehicle, forward of the front door post, below the fascia.
If your vehicle won`t start, it`s usually caused by a dying or dead battery, loose or corroded connection cables, a bad alternator or an issue with the starter. It can be hard to determine if you`re dealing with a battery or an alternator problem. Here`s how to know which one is the culprit.
If the starter engages but does not disengage when you let go of the key, the solenoid is likely bad and the starter may suffer significant damage as a result. Sometimes your car starts, sometimes it doesn`t. Intermittent operation can be a sign of a failing starter solenoid.
The Vortec 3500 I5 (and its sister engines) have proven to be fairly reliable and trouble-free — with one exception. The factory valve seats in some 2004 to 2006 SUVs with the 2800 or 3500 engines apparently were not up to the normal hardness standards and may experience a premature wear problem.
The truck has been very reliable. The truck gets excellent mileage as well. The 5 cylinder engine gets great gas mileage along with being powerful enough to haul big loads. Like the dependability of this truck.
Drivers who take good care of their engines can expect to get 200,000 miles or more out of them. However, there are some factors that can shorten the lifespan of this engine.
The EPA`s city/highway/combined fuel economy ratings for the 2023 Chevy Colorado equipped with 4WD and the L3B engine are 17/21/19 mpg.
Note: The fuel pump shut off switch reset button is usually located either under the dash in the driver compartment or under the driver or passenger seat. Just move the seat forward and pull back on the carpet or popping off the cover under the seat to access the switch.
The EGR valve is located in the engine compartment (underneath the hood).
Bad Sensors
One common culprit for this problem is the crankshaft position sensor, which measures the position and speed of the crankshaft. The computer uses the information from this sensor to know when to fire the spark plugs. If the sensor isn`t working, the spark plugs won`t fire, keeping the engine from starting.
Bad Spark Plugs
If the engine holds compression well, and the fuel system is working correctly, but it still won`t start, that tells us that your car`s spark plugs may not be working. The spark plugs ignite the air/fuel mixture inside the engine`s cylinders. It`s the resulting explosion that actually powers your car.
Fuel Pressure & Fuel Pump
When the fuel pump starts to go bad, that pressure will start to go away when the engine isn`t running. This is one of the most common reasons that your car won`t start after it`s sat for many hours.
What Is The Difference Between a Vortec and an LS Engine? Nothing really. Engines with the LS designation were typically set up for passenger car duty while the Vortec line was for GM`s SUV and truck lines.
The 3.5 EcoBoost life expectancy has improved greatly in recent years, and Ford reports the turbo engine to offer approximately 150,000 miles. However, if you take care of the engine and get regular maintenance and services, it can last up to 250,000.
The 2.8L Duramax turbo diesel engine delivers the highest torque, fuel economy, and towing capacity in the Colorado family.
Despite its rather lengthy list of problems, the GM 3.6 V6 is known to be quite bulletproof. The v6 power plant is powerful and tech-laden. Its Achilles heel though has to do with its engine oil changes.
Only one engine is offered, the 2.8 L turbo diesel, built by GM Thailand.
If you take care of your Chevy Colorado and maintain it religiously, you can get anywhere between 250,000 to 300,000 miles out of it. With the regular 15,000 miles a year, you can expect 16 to 20 years of driving experience with a Colorado.
You can make your engine last longer by having a detailed plan for how you will care for it and reduce the risk of early engine trouble. Your engine care plan should include regular tune-up visits, oil changes, warming your engine and cooling it down properly and lightening the load as much as possible.
Overall, the 6.0 vortec is an extremely dependable and reliable motor. These engines frequently last beyond 300,000 miles with minimal issues beyond regular maintenance. However, making it to 300,000 miles will likely require some non-engine repairs and maintenance, such as suspension components.
The 2022 Chevrolet Colorado has a predicted reliability score of 85 out of 100.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Every 3-4 months, my car won’t start. It does turn over though.
ANSWER : If your battery is weak or has bad connections to the battery, then you may have problems starting the vehicle intermittently. This is due to low voltage to the starter which is taking all the power, while the electronic ignition and the electric fuel pump get cut short. This will cause the vehicle not to start.
You may think the vehicle is turning over okay, but the starter is taking in all of the power just to turn over the motor. You should get the battery and it’s cables checked, as well as the charging system, for any problems by a qualified mechanic so they can diagnose the problem and do any repairs needed to prevent this problem in the future.
Read Full Q/A … : Every 3-4 months, my car won’t start. It does turn over though.
Car won’t turn over. No lights come on when I turn it. Can’t even lock my doorsvor push the seat up or back.
ANSWER : Your probably correct, it sounds as though your battery is done. But it also sounds like you have charging system issues. I’m not sure that fixing your battery and charging system will solve the problem with the car shutting off, but it’s possible that it will and it’s a darned good place to start. By contacting Your Mechanic, you can have a technician come to your home or office to check out your car and help you figure out what to do next.
Read Full Q/A … : Every 3-4 months, my car won’t start. It does turn over though.
So I have a hyundai sonata se push to start. My car won’t turn on, power is working, I push tof start but it won’t crank. I don’t
ANSWER : Hi there. It sounds like you have a failed starter. However, without proper testing there is no way to be 100% sure. I suggest having the battery tested first with a digital battery tester that provides current voltage, cold cranking amps, and state of health. Also inspect for corrosion on the terminals and cables as this will cause excessive resistance and not allow proper voltage/amps to the starter. Other possible failures could be in the wiring harness, relay, fuses, or communication network. I suggest having a qualified technician perform an inspection to avoid replacing unnecessary parts. Your Mechanic has several available technicians that can assist you with a car does not start inspection.
Read Full Q/A … : Every 3-4 months, my car won’t start. It does turn over though.
Battery and oil light come on when trying to start car, take keys out try again car starts no problem and lights go away
ANSWER : Of course, don’t switch gears without being fully stopped, unless your Owner’s Manual or the manufacturer has alternative advice. However, the gear shift issue has no relation to the no-start problem you are describing. Inasmuch as you only have 6,000 miles on the car, the "constant on and off" that you believe has occurred is meaningless in comparison to the expected total vehicle service life. That is, assume what you perceive as "constant on and off", during merely 6,000 miles, might be equivalent to using the car "normally" for three years. A new car should be trouble free for at least 5 years, unless there is a defect, so your "constant on and off" is not a causal factor for any fault on the vehicle. What you might have is a defect in the ignition switch, or perhaps the immobilizer system, but if the problem is not in the switch itself, clearly there is an electrical problem.
If your vehicle is under warranty, by law the dealer MUST repair the issue you are describing within a prescribed time frame and number of "attempts", otherwise the dealer will run afoul of Federal and state Lemon Laws that give you very specific rights, and recourse (contact an Attorney; we are Mechanics, NOT attorneys). Consequently, if the vehicle is still under warranty, to save yourself money do be sure to seek a resolution from the dealer. If the vehicle is not under warranty, obviously a certified Mechanic from YourMechanic could identify the electrical fault and resolve this for you. If you want to go that route, please simply request a no start diagnostic -electrical system and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
Read Full Q/A … : Every 3-4 months, my car won’t start. It does turn over though.
My car will not start Intermittently. I purchased a new battery 2 weeks ago and yesterday the car wouldn’t start. Got a jump and
ANSWER : The issue you are having is probably due to an intermittent fault in the starter motor itself or a deficiency in the starter electrical circuit, for example a large voltage drop due to a poor ground or a high resistance connection. These issues can be readily diagnosed and resolved on a mobile basis if you request a hard starting diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic, the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. Based on Toyota’s Factory Service Manual, the battery should not be disconnected if the vehicle engine is running. The battery acts as a large resistive voltage sink and consequently taking the battery out of the circuit, while the alternator is still running, can create a voltage spike on the car’s electrical system which is not good for voltage sensitive components such as the engine computer. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
Read Full Q/A … : Every 3-4 months, my car won’t start. It does turn over though.
The car crank but won’t start
ANSWER : Hi there. This does sound like an issue with the wiring. If the check engine light is coming on every now and then this means that when it does not come on there is no power to the computer. This can be the wiring harness issue or an ignition switch problem. I would have to test for voltage to the computer when the problem is occurring to be able to find where the issue lies. If you need assistance, a certified YourMechanic technician can be dispatched to your location to inspect your vehicle’s non-start issue and suggest any necessary repairs.
Read Full Q/A … : Every 3-4 months, my car won’t start. It does turn over though.
Car won’t start. The check engine light, battery light, and oil change light are coming on. I tried jumping the car and nothing happened. Why won’t my car start?
ANSWER : Hi and thanks for contacting Your Mechanic. If sometimes your vehicle will start with the new alternator and sometimes it won’t, then there is a loose connection in your charging system. Check all of the wires to the alternator and to the battery. Make sure that the battery cables are clean and tight. Make sure that the wires to the starter are clean and tight. A loose ground to the ignition system will cause the vehicle to not crank over. Check all of the ground wires from the battery to the starter. Make sure that they are clean and tight. If you need further assistance troubleshooting your no start situation, then seek out a technician, such as one from Your Mechanic, that can assist you.
Read Full Q/A … : Every 3-4 months, my car won’t start. It does turn over though.
Vehicle won’t start, once it’s jump started it only stays running until you turn it off, then it work start again without jumping.
ANSWER : Hi there. There could be two problems here. It is possible that your battery is bad and will not take a charge from your alternator while driving. In that case every time you shut your car off you will not have enough juice to start it again. Inspect your battery – it should have at least 12.5 to 13 volts to start your car, if it doesn’t you will need to replace the battery. The second problem could be that your alternator is bad and not charging your battery, in this case you will need to replace your alternator. Both the battery and the alternator can be tested in your car. If you would like to have the car checked for you, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the starting problem and proceed with repairs.
Read Full Q/A … : Every 3-4 months, my car won’t start. It does turn over though.
