Why won't my Daewoo Lanos start or crank?

Short answer: On a Lanos that won't crank, or only cranks after you wiggle the shifter, start with the cheap stuff: the shifter position (try Neutral), the main fuses, the battery cables and the ignition switch. One Lanos owner replaced the transmission range sensor and even the engine computer with no luck, and a new ignition switch finally fixed it. If the car dies while driving and then clicks or grinds, the starter and the camshaft position sensor (which had a recall) need checking.

Symptom: You turn the key and get nothing, or a click. Sometimes it cranks only after you move the shifter around or try Neutral. Other times the car shuts off while driving and won't restart, with clicking or grinding when you try.

What to check first

1. Try starting in Neutral and with the shifter jiggled. If it starts in N but not P, the neutral safety switch (transmission range sensor) or the shift cable adjustment is the suspect.
2. Check the battery and cables. Clean, tight terminals and a battery that holds 12.4 volts or more rule out the most common cause.
3. Check the main fuses under the hood. A member pointed one owner to a 30-amp fuse (#2) in the ignition feed.
4. Watch the dash lights as you turn the key. If they flicker or go out in the Start position, the ignition switch is a strong suspect.
5. If it died while driving, look and smell around the top of the engine for a melted camshaft position sensor (see the recall section) and have the starter tested.

Likely causes

1. Worn ignition switch (electrical part behind the key). The fix in the 2002 Lanos thread after the range sensor and computer were replaced with no change.
2. Neutral safety switch or misadjusted shift cable. If the switch doesn't see Park or Neutral, the starter never gets power. Jiggling the shifter helping is the classic clue.
3. Starter motor or solenoid. A mechanic told the 2001 owner the starter was the problem after clicking and grinding.
4. Melted camshaft position sensor. Covered by a recall on these years. A failed sensor can make the engine quit and not restart.

What it usually costs

The 2002 owner bought a transmission range sensor (GM part 12450161) and a replacement engine computer before finding the ignition switch was the real problem, so the lesson from that thread is to test before buying parts. No owner posted a final bill, so get a written quote.

Is it safe to keep driving?

If it dies while driving, no. Losing the engine means losing power steering and brake assist. A car that only refuses to crank is safe to sit, but don't bypass the neutral safety switch, or it could start in gear. Verify with a mechanic.

DIY or shop?

DIY for battery, fuse and cable checks, and adjusting the shift cable. An ignition switch or starter is a moderate job. Daewoo is gone, but many parts are shared with GM, so ask the parts counter for cross-references.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Related recalls: NHTSA lists these recalls touching this area of the Daewoo Lanos: 01V020000 (2000-2001 model years, electrical system); 04V357000 (1999-2002 model years, engine and engine cooling); 04V394000 (1999-2002 model years, engine and engine cooling). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of this recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• NHTSA complaints: 24 keyword-matched complaints for Daewoo Lanos 1999–2002 (of 430 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-25; keywords: won't start or crank, no start, click, starter, ignition switch, stall, shut off, dies, neutral, range sensor, shift). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In Where is the transmission range sensor/neutral safety switch on a Daewoo Lanos? on Car Talk, a 2002 Lanos owner found the car would crank only after fiddling with the shifter. They replaced the range sensor and then the engine computer, but the problem stayed. A new ignition switch fixed it. Members also suggested checking the 30-amp main fuse and the shift cable.
• In Help! My car dies while driving and won't start! on Car Talk, a 2001 Lanos with about 96,000 miles died on the road and then only clicked or ground when the owner tried to restart. A mechanic blamed the starter. Members asked about the camshaft sensor recall on these cars and suggested checking it.
• In Non-starting on Car Talk, an owner of a 2000 Daewoo Nubira (a close sibling of the Lanos) got no crank until a tap near the transmission made it start. Members pointed to the neutral safety switch or linkage and the starter solenoid, and suggested trying Neutral.

Quick tip

Jiggling the shifter making it start points at the switch circuit, not the engine. Do the free tests in order (Neutral, fuses, battery, dash lights while cranking) before buying a $200 part you might not need.

Vehicle focus: 1999–2002 Daewoo Lanos (1.5L and 1.6L), with notes from the related Nubira.

Safety / mechanic note

Never bypass the neutral safety switch; the car could start in gear and move. Verify with a mechanic.