Q: Check gauges light is on and car won't start - 1990 Chevrolet C2500 Suburban
The car was running fine. However, when I was about to start it yesterday, there was a check gauges warning on. I failed to start the car. There was no sound of a turnover, no cranking, nothing. Upon turning the key, there would be a sudden jump of the temperature gauge towards the red zone. Then, the check gauges would be illuminated. What is the problem with my car?
Recommended Services
| Battery Replacement | $247.05 - $377.49 | Get a Quote |
| Ignition Switch Replacement | $178.14 - $866.79 | Get a Quote |
| Car is not starting Inspection | $94.99 - $114.99 | Get a Quote |
| Warning Light is on Inspection | $94.99 - $114.99 | Get a Quote |
Hello. Most of the time, the symptoms you are describing are caused by the battery failing. If there is a bad connection at the battery or if the voltage in the battery is low, then this will occur. If the battery is fine, then the ignition switch is the most common failure for these issues. To have the problem verified, consider having a qualified pro from YourMechanic diagnose the starting issue and Check Gauge Light firsthand in order to have the correct repair made.
The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our
terms of service
for more details
Get an instant quote for your car
Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing
What others are asking
Car will not idle.
When dealing with an older vehicle such as this, the most common cause of a poor idle is a carburetor problem. Before condemning the carburetor, the engine should be inspected for any loose or leaking vacuum hoses. The ignition timing...
Fuel injectors misfiring
Hello. If you are getting codes for the injectors themselves then they may be electrically failing and in need of replacement. I would typically check their resistance with an ohm meter to verify if they are bad, as a bad...
Airbag & seat belt signs come on and off continually
Hello there, A few different problems can cause airbags faults such as these. The most common problems are with the seat passenger sensor, wiring, or the seatbelt pretensioner. The wiring for the seatbelt can be very sensitive and any change...
Car keeps dying after a few minutes of driving
A car that dies after it warms up is a sign of an electrical module that can no longer handle the heat it is generating. Which module it is will require someone to diagnose it. What I would need to...
Car jerks and slows down
Hey there. This may be a sign of a dirty or failing mass air flow sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/mass-airflow-sensor-replacement). The mass air flow sensor is a unit in the intake system that monitors air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior...
I need help to solve the code p0304 on my 2007 mustang gt i changed the coil and the sparkplug and the check engine light is still
Hello, thank you for writing in. You started out in the right direction as spark is typically what you check first when you have a misfire. With that out of the way, you do want to scan the vehicle again...
I have Pontiac G6, it shakes when idle. Usually when I drive and stops on signal. I read some code and it shows P0300 and P0301.
The codes P0300 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0300-obd-ii-trouble-code-random-multiple-cylinder-misfire-detected-by-jamahl-walker) and P0301 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0301-obd-ii-trouble-code-cylinder-1-misfire-detected-by-jamahl-walker) are coming up for a misfire on cylinder number 1. Check the cylinder for spark, fuel, and air. Check the spark plug (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/spark-plugs-replacement) and make sure that it is firing. The spark plug...
I accidentally put engine oil in coolant reservoir, what should I do?
You should suck out the coolant reservoir since the oil will float on the water it will stay near the top. You can use a siphon to get oil or majority of oil out.
Related articles
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
Until Until just the past few years, the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic were the kings of the compact car class, and domestic manufacturers had almost nothing in the way of competition for these models. With the 2012 Chevrolet...
How to Buy a Good Quality Tire Pressure Gauge
Keeping Keeping an eye on your tire pressure is vital. Low tires wear poorly, and they can have a negative effect on your fuel economy. It also makes them more susceptible to damage – a blowout can ruin anyone’s day....
The Top 5 Selling Cars in Alaska in 2012
Alaska Alaska requires a different kind of vehicle to handle both the terrain and the wintery conditions. While some of the most popular options for the Alaskan terrain in previous years included options such as the Subaru Forester and the...
Browse other content
Maintenance
Services
Estimates