cobalt problems

so my girls car has been acting up for about a year now (2005 chevy cobalt base model), it does it randomly and to different severity. usually about once every 3 months for a day or two, but still random throughout the day. it seems to only happen when idling or going in reverse. one time it tripped a random multiple cylender misfire code and would not start for 15 min. after the car is shut off the code clears. i took it to a shop and they said it ran fine all day and they couldnt find ANYTHING wrong with it, not 2 hours after it died in an inersection. i also got the same thing from a different mechanic. i replaced the plugs and wires last summer and it still does it. regular oil changes, used the injector cleaner every few tanks for a couple months and it didnt help, no odd guage readings, just randomly happens.





IMG_0557.MOV - YouTube



i got a vid of what it sounds like, and also i saw the check engin light fashing while this was happening, shut the car off, it started up with a light sputter with no code and she drove off w/o a problem.



if anyone has any clue on a good spot to start that would be very helpful, the list of things that could cause this from my research range from a bad fuel pump to a loose ground wire on the top of the transmition case. (about 54 posible causes from the list i got)

Check your.... Spark plugs, fuel injectors, injectors harness to make sure there's no bad ground that allows it to short and not let fuel in, fuel lines, fuel filter, fuel pump, throttle body, intake system, air filter.... If none of that is it, rebuild the engine it sounds like

Man I bet it's your MAP sensor, happened to a buddy of mine, or a clogged cat (there was a recall on some cobalts(for faulty cats))

rob22aaron said:

Man I bet it's your MAP sensor, happened to a buddy of mine, or a clogged cat (there was a recall on some cobalts(for faulty cats))

Click to expand...

never knew this could cause this kinda problem, and we did the software upgrade but i dont think she ever got the cat done. i will look into it asap
thanks for the tip

No problem man.

The purpose of the OBD is an off-shot of the Emissions computer. All the computer has to do is keep the emissions low. However some dunce thought that I the computer felt that it could not tune the engine that I could turn on a light. Then some moron got the really stupid idea. What would happen if the computer thought that what it detected could cause damage to the Engine or You? Ah..... FLASH the light to try and get your attention. Stop NOW! If that light should start to FLASH Stop! and check it out. Do not wait until the next Oil Change.

Please check me out on this one.

---------- Post added at 02:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:08 PM ----------

I have a 2010 Cobalt Basic. I have been running with a CarChip (Black Box) from Davis.

It has shown me that the Battery has been charging to 15 volts. I have been watching it. !5 volts will Boil (Gas) the Battery. I lately changed the Battery, but no change. Car basically runs OK. Once in a while the steering acts up.

I have been watching it Two days ago the Steering went out as I was going down a steep, windy, dirt road.

I started with the Battery / Starter Connections. I am dismayed with the Ground Point on the Strut, Still Had the Paint on it! I took these 6 apart, scraped off the paint, and put in Star Washers, and some electrical past. The CCA went from 125 to 350. The charge on the battery has stopped going to 15 volts.

I have an appointment at a Local shop to start taking a look underneath to see what we can find with the steering. 15 miles down the road.

One trick. Use a block of wood, or a rubber mallet, NOT STEEL, and poke and bang around. You may force the problem to show its' hand.

You do not give a location. Might give some ideas.

You also do not give your age. again how long have you been driving?

Boston, Salt was a problem. When I would go looking for a problem, I would take apart the Computer plugs, and put some Dielectric Paste on them. This helped. You could be cutting corners, and used some cheep Bad gas?

My '08 gave me a misfire code twice when the car was newer, Dealer could not find anything wrong. I shut it off and it started up each time and it ran fine. Another Cobalt mystery.

Hello Songs,

I reached out to you on a different thread as well. If you are interested in having your dealership look into these concerns again, please let me know. I would like to reach out to your dealership on your behalf. Please private message me your name, VIN, phone number, and dealership name.

Erica Tiffany
Chevrolet Customer Care