Push Button Start issues

[Scott Courtney]

Hello,

          I have been having issues with my push button start inside the vehicle. It has gotten me stuck 5 times now. After the 4 time my wife took it to the dealership and they said it was 2 bad remotes and that was on Wednesday.  Sunday I went to run some errands and stopped at a gas station and got back into the truck and hit the start button and nothing again. Called roadside service and had them send a tow truck to come get it. The tow truck driver had to drag my truck up on the flat bed as the steering column was locked and the parking brake was also on. I also previously brought this truck in for a hard shift problem and they drove it for 10-15 miles and said they could not reproduce customer complaint.  This truck is sparingly used as I have another vehicle to drive during the week for work. I use this truck for towing our camper, and for my everyday driving when not working. It has about 8700 miles on it. I have always been a Chevy Owner, but got away from them for a couple of years and got a Nissan. When we bought the camper had to have something bigger so I went back to Chevrolet. It has been an udder disappointment! I am hoping they can fix it for good or I will get rid of it.  Has anyone else have this issue with push button start? 

[rusty503]

There have been numerous posts about the same type of issues. One thing I keyed on was an issue with the bolts in the underhood fuse box not fully tightened. There is a TSB for the issue. It is for 2019 but I have seen posts about the issues on later models. Do a search.

May not fix your issue but it is easy to check.

 

[MMYYZ]

On 11/8/2020 at 5:11 PM, Scott Courtney said:

Hello,

          I have been having issues with my push button start inside the vehicle. It has gotten me stuck 5 times now. After the 4 time my wife took it to the dealership and they said it was 2 bad remotes and that was on Wednesday.  Sunday I went to run some errands and stopped at a gas station and got back into the truck and hit the start button and nothing again. Called roadside service and had them send a tow truck to come get it. The tow truck driver had to drag my truck up on the flat bed as the steering column was locked and the parking brake was also on. I also previously brought this truck in for a hard shift problem and they drove it for 10-15 miles and said they could not reproduce customer complaint.  This truck is sparingly used as I have another vehicle to drive during the week for work. I use this truck for towing our camper, and for my everyday driving when not working. It has about 8700 miles on it. I have always been a Chevy Owner, but got away from them for a couple of years and got a Nissan. When we bought the camper had to have something bigger so I went back to Chevrolet. It has been an udder disappointment! I am hoping they can fix it for good or I will get rid of it.  Has anyone else have this issue with push button start? 

Yes.  Had this problem and the problem where the starter cranks and won't stop (never fires up).   Dealer can't reproduce it and it doesn't throw a check engine light so they throw their hands in the air.. stooges.

My brother suggested bad relay contacts on the starter so that'll be my next review.  DAMN I hate these push button starts.  Where do i put the key in?

[Jaymac601]

I have a 2021 and having the exact same issues. I’ve experienced this 4 times. 1st two times the truck eventually started, but I took it to the dealership anyway and let them know what was going on. I was told, we can’t recreate the issue and was sent in my way. On the 3rd time(the truck stopped on the hwy) I ended up burning out the starter trying to get off the median!!!! Nothing worked and I tried so long the truck died. I ended up having the truck towed to the dealership. The dealership said it was a starter and bad btry fuse. Here it is 1 month later and I’m having the issue again this time at work!! After the 4th attempt it finally turned over.I have about 18,500 miles and I’m not feeling confident about chevy

[Mike Borowski]

My engine start button’s bezel around it doesn’t sit right, it’s wobbly if that makes sense. Not sure if it’s always been like that. Anyone know if the whole thing pops off and I can try re-seating it?

[Anon12345]

30 minutes ago, Mike Borowski said:

My engine start button’s bezel around it doesn’t sit right, it’s wobbly if that makes sense. Not sure if it’s always been like that. Anyone know if the whole thing pops off and I can try re-seating it?

 

You can buy a whole new push button assembly for i think $40?

[Mike Borowski]

10 minutes ago, Anon12345 said:

 

You can buy a whole new push button assembly for i think $40?

Do you happen to know the part number or what to search for?

[Anon12345]

On 4/21/2022 at 5:42 PM, Mike Borowski said:

Do you happen to know the part number or what to search for?

 

I tried to go back and find where i saw it with no luck. If i come across it again ill just send you the link in pm. 

[Ruger556]

Did anyone find the root cause of this no start condition?

Edited June 12, 2022 by Ruger556

[redwngr]

As a diagnostic, I would try using the fob start if the button start doesn't work. 

Both send a signal to the computers, and the computers manage the start routine.  This also means it is not necessary to hold the button until it starts.  (same is true for newer GM's with a key. 'Bump and release' the key to the start position and computers take over and do the rest.

 

I don't know if it is necessary to be out of the truck when using the fob. 

 

As a side note, it is not necessary to hold the button until it starts. 

 

 

If fob and button both don't initiate a start, that is extra info for the repair diagnostics. 

If the truck has the phone app active, the start request from the app cold also be tried.

 

[Ruger556]

So you're basically saying if the key fob will start the truck then the ecm is not at fault?

 

I found two TSBs that may be related to this issue, but wanted to hear from the two owners of how their problem was resolved. 

[Gangly]

On 6/12/2022 at 10:24 AM, redwngr said:

As a diagnostic, I would try using the fob start if the button start doesn't work. 

Both send a signal to the computers, and the computers manage the start routine.  

If the truck has the phone app active, the start request from the app cold also be tried.

Though I haven't experienced the issue myself, that is awesome information!

 

I know that if I was "in the moment" that I might not have considered the other two options, but hopefully this helps somebody else out and would be great information to provide a technician when needed.

 

[cranium2001]

If this happens, all you have to do is disconnect the battery and you'll be able to start the vehicle. I've had this issue twice in less than two weeks. I'm trying to find a fix.

[cranium2001]

On 6/12/2022 at 11:24 AM, redwngr said:

As a diagnostic, I would try using the fob start if the button start doesn't work. 

Both send a signal to the computers, and the computers manage the start routine.  This also means it is not necessary to hold the button until it starts.  (same is true for newer GM's with a key. 'Bump and release' the key to the start position and computers take over and do the rest.

 

I don't know if it is necessary to be out of the truck when using the fob. 

 

As a side note, it is not necessary to hold the button until it starts. 

 

 

If fob and button both don't initiate a start, that is extra info for the repair diagnostics. 

If the truck has the phone app active, the start request from the app cold also be tried.

 

The first time thus happened I did both. It still did not react to me stepping on the pedal and pushing the button. There is something just "not there", and you notice it as soon as you open the door. Mine said "programming fob". The fob was in my hand and nothing was in the cup holder.

[James Benningfield]

So my 2020 2500 6.6 gas, is having the same issue the push button not working just a click in the column. I replaced the battery and battery distribution bar, and the alternator is good. Took it to Chevy house they couldn't figure it out either. They just gave me a BS story of they get no codes and then came back and said they got an replace the starter code so bought a starter but the remote starts it every time even on the first cold start of the morning I'm at a loss can someone please tell me what's the problem and best fix please and thank you