07 Cobalt ignition was replaced on a recall. Now it won’t start.
07 Cobalt ignition was replaced on a recall. I took it less than a quarter mile. I parked it and left it for a few hours then took it home also less than a mile away. Went out this morning it wouldn't start. Called every mech/tech I know, was told to take it back to the dealership because someone fucked it up. Called the dealership told them what was going on. It doesn't click or kick, I have power it just won't turn over. Their mech/tech told me my batt didn't have the juice needed or it was the aftermarket remote starter(in when bought never used by me), that they know what t
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
The very first thing to do is ensure that you have a usable battery. The battery should be fully charged and then load tested. If the battery passes a load test be sure it is NOT a marginal pass in which case you should definitely install a new battery to reduce diagnostic headaches. Batteries are a VERY important component in a car’s electrical system. Once you have a fully functioning, fully charged battery, if the starter motor does not work, that signifies an electrical problem in the starter circuit or a problem with the starter motor. Broadly, either the starter motor/solenoid assembly is faulty or the electrical circuit supplying the motor has a fault. That circuit begins at the battery and includes grounds, wiring (some of which is very heavy cabling), fuses, relays, the ignition switch and terminations. If the starter motor is getting power but it doesn’t work, the starter is condemned and replaced. Alternatively, if there is no power to the starter or there is a big voltage drop to the starter, then the circuit is traced until the fault in the circuit is found. Notably, faults can include high resistances, due to corrosion, wire strand breaks, or loose terminals, which can only be diagnosed using a voltage drop test. Regardless of what the underlying cause of the no start condition is, if you desire that a certified mechanic resolve this promptly, please simply request a no start diagnostic and the responding mechanic will get it diagnosed and repaired for you. Please let us know if you have further concerns or questions as we are always here to help you.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
The most common reasons a Chevrolet Cobalt won`t start are a dead battery, an alternator problem, or failed starter.
Chevy is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 Cobalts and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. “In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine,” according to the NHSTA recall alert.
Common reasons for this to happen:
An issue with the mass airflow sensor may manifest itself when a car starts and then stalls soon after starting. Fuel Pump Relay: The fuel pump relay functions much like a fuse for an electric fuel pump. The fuel pump relay engages as the vehicle is started and starts the fuel pump.
If your vehicle won`t start, it`s usually caused by a dying or dead battery, loose or corroded connection cables, a bad alternator or an issue with the starter. It can be hard to determine if you`re dealing with a battery or an alternator problem.
It could be a minor glitch in the battery terminals, a dead battery, a defective ignition switch and so on. Car starting problems are mainly related to the battery, car self-start system or fuel lines. Below are some of the common reasons why your car is not starting upon switching on the ignition.
If you or your family were hurt while driving a Chevrolet Cobalt produced between 2005-2010 because the ignition switch failed to hold its position properly, then you may be eligible for substantial compensation. GM has set aside $400 million to settle claims arising from its faulty ignition switches.
Connect the positive terminal of the battery to the positive side of the ignition coil. Also, identify the starter solenoid and connect it to the positive terminal of the battery. Next, unplug the ignition switch wire from the solenoid and then short the solenoid`s terminal to reach where the ignition switch connects.
To find it, you`ll need to lift up the carpet, it should be right next to the spare tire. Most car manufacturers started putting the batteries in the trunk to save space in the engine compartment and even out the weight distribution of the vehicle.
General Motors knew in 2004, a decade before it issued a recall, that its Chevrolet Cobalt had an ignition switch that could inadvertently shut off the engine while driving, according to depositions in a civil lawsuit against GM.
If the vehicle randomly shuts off while driving or stationary, there is usually an issue with the engine. Typical patterns here are issues with the ignition system, mixture preparation or fuel. A known error here is that the vehicle was refueled with the wrong type of fuel.
General Motors knew in 2004, a decade before it issued a recall, that its Chevrolet Cobalt had an ignition switch that could inadvertently shut off the engine while driving, according to depositions in a civil lawsuit against GM.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
07 Cobalt ignition was replaced on a recall. Now it won’t start.
ANSWER : The very first thing to do is ensure that you have a usable battery. The battery should be fully charged and then load tested. If the battery passes a load test be sure it is NOT a marginal pass in which case you should definitely install a new battery to reduce diagnostic headaches. Batteries are a VERY important component in a car’s electrical system. Once you have a fully functioning, fully charged battery, if the starter motor does not work, that signifies an electrical problem in the starter circuit or a problem with the starter motor. Broadly, either the starter motor/solenoid assembly is faulty or the electrical circuit supplying the motor has a fault. That circuit begins at the battery and includes grounds, wiring (some of which is very heavy cabling), fuses, relays, the ignition switch and terminations. If the starter motor is getting power but it doesn’t work, the starter is condemned and replaced. Alternatively, if there is no power to the starter or there is a big voltage drop to the starter, then the circuit is traced until the fault in the circuit is found. Notably, faults can include high resistances, due to corrosion, wire strand breaks, or loose terminals, which can only be diagnosed using a voltage drop test. Regardless of what the underlying cause of the no start condition is, if you desire that a certified mechanic resolve this promptly, please simply request a no start diagnostic and the responding mechanic will get it diagnosed and repaired for you. Please let us know if you have further concerns or questions as we are always here to help you.
Fuel pump engages. Batery good, alternator good volts, jump start helps when wont start. Temp does not matter. Intermittent?
ANSWER : Hello. Thank you for writing in. There are several reasons your vehicle may only start when jump starting. The first and most common is a build up of resistance that is causing you to need a boost of voltage to get the engine started. This may be due to poor battery cables, a bad ground connection, a poor starter solenoid, and a couple of other issues. The first thing you want to do is perform a visual inspection of the starting system. Make sure there is no corrosion build up in the battery cables. You can also check the resistance across these wires and make sure you have a solid connection between components. You then want to make sure the starter solenoid is doing its job. It is responsible for taking the small amount of electricity sent by the ignition and turning it into a huge electrical charge that is strong enough to push over the engine with the help of some gear ratios in its favor. Do some more testing, and stick to the basics before assuming its something seriously complicated.
Vehicle won’t start, once it’s jump started it only stays running until you turn it off, then it work start again without jumping.
ANSWER : Hi there. There could be two problems here. It is possible that your battery is bad and will not take a charge from your alternator while driving. In that case every time you shut your car off you will not have enough juice to start it again. Inspect your battery – it should have at least 12.5 to 13 volts to start your car, if it doesn’t you will need to replace the battery. The second problem could be that your alternator is bad and not charging your battery, in this case you will need to replace your alternator. Both the battery and the alternator can be tested in your car. If you would like to have the car checked for you, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the starting problem and proceed with repairs.
Why won’t my car start now? What else should we look at?
ANSWER : Hi. This sounds like the engine timing may still be off and needs to be rechecked for proper alignment. Some of the wiring to the crankshaft sensor may be damaged as well causing it not start as well. Also, the crankshaft that the crankshaft sensor reads could have broken or missing teeth on it causing a no start problem. If you would like help, consider having an expert automotive technician from YourMechanic come to your home or office to inspect and diagnose this issue for you, and make or suggest any repairs as needed.
My car won’t start, neither does my auto. Start. Sometime it might start if I jump it sometimes it won’t.
ANSWER : Hi there. There are a number of issues that will make a car hard to start. Everything from the electrical system to the fuel system to the actual starter itself can be the problem. Finding the root cause of a hard starting engine can take some investigation. Ignoring a hard starting issue can further damage the vehicle, which will often result in a more expensive repair. You might want to have a mobile mechanic complete a car is hard to start inspection so they can pinpoint the source of the issues you’re having and recommend the right repairs be completed.
The car crank but won’t start
ANSWER : Hi there. This does sound like an issue with the wiring. If the check engine light is coming on every now and then this means that when it does not come on there is no power to the computer. This can be the wiring harness issue or an ignition switch problem. I would have to test for voltage to the computer when the problem is occurring to be able to find where the issue lies. If you need assistance, a certified YourMechanic technician can be dispatched to your location to inspect your vehicle’s non-start issue and suggest any necessary repairs.
Installed a new ignition harness after the old one required repeated key giggling to start the car, now won’t start
ANSWER : When you replaced the harness you made the immobilizer lose its memory. The car is not starting because it needs to re learn the key values. I recommend having the vehicle checked by a certified mechanic to verify the cause of the starting issue. A technician from YourMechanic can do a thorough diagnosis and help you successfully relearn the immobilizer if you need assistance.
Car won’t start. When trying to start, starter makes a clicking noise and then closed back hatch recloses.
ANSWER : It sounds like there is some type of drain on the battery. When there is low voltage in a battery, it can cause several symptoms. The electrical systems can act very strangely when they don’t have the correct voltage being supplied. When a battery won’t hold a charge, it can be caused by a wiring issue, a bad battery, or some type of parasitic draw that can slowly pull voltage from the battery. Some electrical diagnosis done by a professional, such as one from YourMechanic, will be necessary to pinpoint the cause.