A Chevy Impala delivers excellence, dependability and is a fuel efficient choice for millions of car buyers over the past 50 years. Eventually problems arise and you have to troubleshoot your way to the cause. The steps may vary slightly depending on the year and model of your Impala but there are some basic things to look for when you suddenly encounter car problems.
Look over the connections on the battery to ensure that they are secured correctly. If they are not you can experience problems with the electrical system, lights and radio not coming on and a possible clicking sound when using transmitting devices and other accessories. Another problem could be within the "Body Control Module." This can be pricey since there is only one "Body Control Module" made for each vehicle and each is synced with the VIN. You can search for one online or check with your local dealership. Once purchased, take it to be synced properly by a technician.
Look at the battery and the alternator to decide which is actually the culprit for your car not starting and your battery dying frequently. Check to see if the battery cables are connected correctly and securely along with the ground wires. An improper connection will cause the battery to die faster than usual. If everything looks good with the battery your problem could be a faulty alternator.
Turn the engine over several times and notice the car does not start the first time but after several attempts starts up? This can indicate problems with your fuel pump. One way to fix this is when you go to start your car turn the key to the on/off position without actually turning it completely over. This tells the fuel pump to begin to cycle, which may help. Purchase a fuel pressure gauge to check the pressure after you turn the engine off. You may find the fuel lines draining back into the tank when the car sits for a bit, which will cause the stutter when you try to start the engine. If the smell of rotten eggs invades your senses this is a pretty good sign you have a faulty regulator.
Take your car in for a tune-up if it has been awhile and you are finding little things going wrong periodically and persistently. A complete tune-up includes changing the spark plugs and wires, distributor cap and rotor, fuel and air filter changes. Several tests will be done to check the fuel pressure and injection system and possible replacement of the oxygen sensor.
