Silverado Turn Key Nothing Happens; Solved

Many people report the key doesn’t work when turning and nothing happens in their Silverado. In this article we discuss the causes and fixes related to the “Silverado turn key nothing happens” problem.  So, stick to it until the end.

When the Silverado key fails, check all the battery connections, all grounds on the vehicle, as well as all ground wires. If you find something is loose or disconnected, then just repair it and check it by turning the key again.

The other option to check is the ignition switch. It’s a potential cause, but the first thing I’d try the next time is to move the shifter while turning the key to see what happens. The neutral safety could be the cause if it starts. The broken spring may no longer be holding the park lever securely, preventing the vehicle from starting.

What would cause a Chevy truck to not turn over?

There can be many reasons for this problem. But the most common causes are ignition switch failures and bad starter problems.

Chevy Silverado
Chevy Silverado

Starter problems.

All makes and models of starter motor failure exhibit the same symptom: the starter solenoid will click when you turn the key, but the engine won’t turn.

When tstarteris turned, you might also hear a whirring or rapid spinning sound. In this situation, it is important to check for failures in the starter solenoid and starter.

Ignition switch problems.

Depending on which position the key is in, the vehicle will either permanently lose power to some systems and components or only occasionally if the electrical portion of the ignition switch fails.

It’s possible that the car won’t start or that accessories like the air conditioner won’t turn on. The car occasionally won’t start when the key is turned, or it might stall out in traffic.

Before the ignition switch fails entirely, these symptoms might appear and disappear for a while.

What are the Silverado ignition switch symptoms?

There are some symptoms that strongly indicate that there is a problem with the ignition switch in the Silverado. So when you are experiencing one or more of those symptoms, it is the time to check and get the ignition switch repaired.

If you don’t already have this issue, chances are good that you own a Chevy truck that was made during this time period. Your life may be in danger if the ignition switch is malfunctioning because it may cause the airbags to deploy or cause power steering issues.

Stalling.

Stalling is the most obvious sign of a bad ignition switch. The malfunctioning switch disables the fuel pump or the ignition, which causes your Silverado to stall. The engine won’t be able to start until it receives that signal back in this situation.

Starts and then stops.

Here is what transpires. While the key “rests” in the run position, you aren’t getting power to the ignition or fuel pump. But when the starter is turned on, you get it. As a result, when you hit the starter, everything is powered. Your Silverado dies the moment you let go of the key.

Not starting.

The first occurs when the starter turns over but the ignition or fuel pump isn’t turned on due to a faulty ignition switch.

Without any spark, the engine will simply run. The starter not turning at all is the second method. This can be frustrating because a bad starter or battery is typically to blame for a starter that won’t turn over at all.

The battery is draining faster.

The opposite of the accessories, fuel pump, ECM, and ignition losing power is for them to continue receiving power even when the key is in the off position.

Symptoms of a Silverado bad starter.

Here is what you can experience when the starter fails in your Silverado. So, closely, by watching these symptoms closely you can simply guess where the problem is.

Silverado bad starter
Silverado bad starter

The engine will not crank.

Even after attempting a jumpstart, is your engine not starting to rev? At this point, you should dial a towing service and drive your vehicle to the closest Firestone Complete Auto Care. If a jumpstart doesn’t work, nothing other than a qualified technician will start your engine if a jumpstart doesn’t work.

Your car is emitting smoke.

The starter is a component of your car’s electrical system and is vulnerable to short circuits and blown fuses.

Your car’s starter may overheat if you’ve been trying to start it for a long time, which increases the likelihood of electrical problems and the accompanying smoke. Call for assistance if you see or smell smoke instead of turning the key more.

Something seems wrong.

A clicking sound when you turn the key or depress the start button is one of the signs of a bad starter. However, a starter’s demise can occur silently or it may be foreshadowed by a whirring or grinding noise, so pay attention!

You have lights but no movement.

You may have a problem with the starter if you try to start the engine and the dashboard illuminates but nothing happens to the engine.

Where is the starter on a 2014 Chevy Silverado?

The following YouTube video shows a detailed explanation about the positions of the starter, ignition switch and the other relevant parts.

Why won’t my key turn in my Chevy truck?

When the ignition switch lock cylinder malfunctions, it may become difficult or impossible to turn the ignition, or it may turn only after much wriggling and shaking.

The ignition could also turn and operate with the key out, or it could allow the key to be removed in any direction. Last but not least, the lock may fail to release your key or prevent it from inserting fully into the ignition lock cylinder.

Some related FAQs about Silverado turn key nothing happens.

How much time does a starter have?

A starter motor typically lasts 100,000 to 150 000 miles. The starter motor typically lasts the entire life of the car, but in some cars it can fail early.

When I turn my key and nothing happens, what does that mean?

When the ignition key is in the “Start” position and nothing happens, the starter motor is not turning the engine over. The most frequent cause of this is a dead battery; for more information, see How to Check the Battery above.

My truck has power, so why won’t it start?

A failed starter motor, a poor connection between the battery and the starter motor, or a blown fuse (if present) in the path between the starter and the battery are the typical causes of this issue.

We hope that our explanation provided you with the answer to your question, “Silverado Turn Key Nothing Happens” If you have any additional questions, please leave a comment below, and we will be happy to assist you further. Check out this link for a review for Toyota Master Key. Thank you very much.

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