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2006 Chevy Cobalt starting issues


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atprice
New User

Feb 9, 2018, 11:13 PM

Post #1 of 4 (2302 views)
2006 Chevy Cobalt starting issues Sign In

2006 Chevy Cobalt Coupe LS 2.2L 4 cyl Miles 86,500 Manual Transmission

Hello all,

I've been having starting issues these past two - three weeks. It started out of nowhere one day. The cranking lagged slightly but it would still start. The second time it happened on that first day, the message center said "Check Charging System." I've never had this message appear since when i purchased it in 2008. Other times it would work fine. This went on for a few days and then I had a chance to take it to the mechanic so that he could check the battery or alternator. He said both were fine and returned the car to me. He also couldn't catch the starting issues that I had had throughout the week randomly. So he couldn't witness it himself or recreate it. He said bring it back if it happens more than intermittently.

Also, that week my E brake light stayed on driving to work one day (2 mile drive) and another trip back home (the next day) another light came on. Both lights cleared by the time I got to work or home and both lights weren't correct as my E brake was down.

After the mechanic checked it out - It was behaving for about 5 days until yesterday and today. Back when it all began i started to put the key in the ignition and turn it to load all the power to see if it was always working properly. Everything always comes on. When I did this, it always cranked correctly afterward. After about three days, I still did this and then the cranking issues returned.

I've uploaded a video of my car starting twice in a row tonight so that you can see the issues I'm having. In the video, the gauges will turn on in sync with the engine. The second time in the video will show you that the gauges lag even though the engine is on.

Hope this makes sense as I tried to describe everything as best as I could.

Thank you for your time and help

https://youtu.be/bkGObbKPOYA


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Feb 10, 2018, 2:12 PM

Post #2 of 4 (2263 views)
Re: 2006 Chevy Cobalt starting issues Sign In

Have you showed that video to your mechanic? It looks to me like a possible battery issue or excessive resistance in the starting circuit causing a dropout. How old is the battery? Are the connections clean and tight? You stated that the brake light and some other light were lit. Do you remember if the other light was the ABS light? Sometimes if you have low charging system voltage, those lights will come on.
The gauges will run a self test when you turn the ignition on. If voltage dips down too much during cranking, it will self test again causing the lag.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Feb 10, 2018, 2:14 PM)


flat rate mechanic
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flat rate mechanic profile image

Feb 25, 2018, 3:04 PM

Post #3 of 4 (2160 views)
Re: 2006 Chevy Cobalt starting issues Sign In

Sounds like a bad battery to me. I would bring it to a local shop to have it tested. If it checks good they will need to do an amp draw test on the starter. If it drawing any more than 250 amp its time for a new starter. Providing all connections are tight and clean.

(This post was edited by flat rate mechanic on Feb 25, 2018, 3:07 PM)


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Feb 25, 2018, 3:06 PM

Post #4 of 4 (2154 views)
Re: 2006 Chevy Cobalt starting issues Sign In

Flat rate mechanic. Please remove your signature ASAP. Links and advertising are not allowed here.



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