My chevy malibu wont start. it turns over but wont start. tried new battery, not the problem. changed fuel filter, still the same thing, turns over, but wont start.

I have a 1999 Cutlas Olds, recently i have been having an issue with the car starting. When i turn the key it will not make a sound nor does it start, other times it will start right up. Can some one please direct me because im not sure what could be wrong.

2001 Chevy Malibu would not crank. Theft system was blinking,turned key to on
position until theft light cleared {about 10 minutes} turned to off position and it started when I restarted.

Hey Debbie. When a car wont start, there can be many things that can cause this. It can get real frustrating real quick. I will give you some things that it may be. If you are good at cars, you need to test for fuel and spark. Make sure fuel is going to the engine and make sure your ignition is sparking. If you are not good on cars, check these. Make sure your fuel pump is kicking on when you first turn the key. You should hear a humming sound for a second or two. If you do, the pump is working. If not, it may be bad. If you haven't changed the fuel filter in a long time, it may be clogged. A filter is cheap, usually 10-20 dollars. A fuel pump is 100-200 dollars. Check your air filter and make sure the engine is getting air. The filter may be clogged/real dirty. You could check the fuel pump fuse/relay, only if you didn't hear the pump. Your timing belt may have broke. You need to spray starter fluid into your carburetor. You will have to take off the air hose to do so. Once you spray it in, try to start the car. If it starts and dies, you have a fuel issue. If it stays the same and doesn't start, you will have to check the ignition system. This included the spark plugs/coils, distributor, dist.cap, rotor, cam sensor , crank sensor, ecm. I know it is a lot to take in but it could be any of these. Let me know if you know the engine good. There are things you can check, if you know how to check them. The only way to check for the problem is by checking each possibility. If you have a question Debbie, let me know. I am here to help. Thanks for choosing FixYa.