I turned the key but did not start?

Tiny
ROBIN JORDAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2015 CHEVROLET CRUZE
  • 1.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 177,000 MILES
I replaced the plugs and coil pack. Award’s the car started just fine. I took it for a test drive. All good. A couple of hours later I went to start the car. All the lights came on when I turned the key, but it didn’t start. I saw my ground wire that is connected to my negative battery cable was broken off. Reconnected it but it still won’t turn over.
Tuesday, January 28th, 2025 AT 11:48 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,264 POSTS
So to be clear the engine does not crank over (starter), correct? If so, I would make sure the battery cables are clean and tight.

This guide can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Here is a video as well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YRW8fyNudY&t

Please go over these guides and get back to us. Please upload videos in your response of any problems so we can see what to help you with.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, January 28th, 2025 AT 6:28 PM
Tiny
ROBIN JORDAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
It’s not that I didn’t like the answer. It’s just that it’s not the problem.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, February 10th, 2025 AT 12:25 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,264 POSTS
"but it still won’t turn over?". This is why I asked if you meant running or cranking over.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, February 10th, 2025 AT 12:26 PM
Tiny
ROBIN JORDAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Oh sorry. Cranking. I turn the key and nothing happens.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, February 10th, 2025 AT 1:52 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,264 POSTS
If the battery is good, 9 times out of 10 this will be the starter or the starter relay as long as the battery cables are clean and tight, here is the starter wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works. Please go over the video again and here is a more in depth guide for the starter not working, I would also try swapping the starter relay out, also use a test light on the starter trigger wire while the starter is not working (you will need a helper to hold the key for you).

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

You can take the battery to the auto parts store for testing FYI. It could be just a bad starter motor which is common. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, February 11th, 2025 AT 9:59 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.