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Chevrolet Cobalt Electrical Problems

337 messages,  Last post on Feb 17, 2013 at 4:07 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Cobalt Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Cobalt, Electrical, Coupe, Sedan

    
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Messages Page 7 of 34

#59 of 337 Re: UPDATED COBALT ISSUES [leannemarie] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jun 17, 2008 (2:05 pm)

Replying to: leannemarie (Jun 17, 2008 8:51 am)
Bulletin No.: 06-07-30-004C
 
Date: June 27, 2006
 
TECHNICAL
Subject:
Various Concerns With Shifter and/or Ignition Key (Replace Shifter Assembly/Shifter Components or Ignition Lock Cylinder)
 
Models:
2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
2005-2006 Pontiac Pursuit (Canada Only)
2007 Pontiac G5
 
with Automatic Transmission 4T45-E (RPO MN5)
 
Supercede:
 
This bulletin is being revised to add models and model years. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 06-07-30-004B (Section 07 - Transmission/Transaxle).
 
Condition
 
Some customers may comment on any of the following concerns:
^ The shifter is hard to move or binds.
 
^ They cannot remove the ignition key.
 
^ It takes high effort to rotate the key.
 
Cause 1
 
The shifter button may be sticking in the handle.
 
Cause 2
 

 
The pin that activates the micro-switch may have moved out of position (refer to illustration above). This causes the micro-switch to fail to engage when the vehicle is placed in Park. If this condition is present, the customer will not be able to remove the key from the ignition.
 

 
The illustration above shows the switch in a correct position.
 
Cause 3
 
Metal flashing left in the cylinder may cause a high effort to rotate the key.
 
Cause 4
 
The slider may be binding in the guides. This may cause the shifter to become difficult to operate.
 
Correction 1
 
Verify that the shifter button is inoperative by evaluating if the park pawl pin on the shifter assembly moves when activating the button. If the parking pawl does not move when the button is activated, the shifter handle will have to be replaced. Refer to Floor Shifter Control Knob Replacement in SI.
 
Correction 2
Important: A change has been made to the shifter assembly for service. The replacement shifter assembly will read PRNDIL (Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, Intermediate and Low).
 
Verify that the micro switch is out of position. Replace the shifter assembly. Refer to Floor Shifter Control Replacement in SI.
 
Correction 3
Important: Refer to instruction sheet that is supplied with the lock cylinder kit. BO 47869 is an essential staking tool and must be used for the repair.
 
Replace the ignition lock cylinder. Refer to Ignition Lock Cylinder Replacement in SI.
 
Correction 4
 
Replace the slide indicator and guides in the shifter following the procedure below:
1. Apply the parking brake.
 
2. Remove the upper console trim. Refer to Trim Plate Replacement-Console Front in SI.
 
3. Remove shifter knob. Refer to Floor Shifter Control Knob Replacement in SI.
 
4. Remove the indicator plate. Use a flat-bladed screwdriver to release the locking tabs.
 
5. Remove the shifter indicator lens.
 
6. Pull up on the indicator and remove it from the assembly.
 
7. Remove the two front rails by unsnapping the front and lifting up, and then back, to remove the rails from the shifter assembly.
 
8. Install the new guides. Place the hook end into the assembly and push down. It will snap into place.
 
9. Install the new slide indicator. With the transmission in neutral, place the slide over the shifter and into the guides. Move the slide indicator down the guides in the front and rear.
 
Important: Replace the shifter indicator lens if damage is present due to the slider binding or if it becomes damaged during disassembly.
 
10. Install the shift indicator lens.
 
11. Install the shift indicator plate.
 
12. Install the shifter knob. Refer to Floor Shifter Control Knob Replacement in SI.
 
13. Install the upper console trim. Refer to Trim Plate Replacement-Console Front in SI.
 
=====================================================
 
============================================================
 
Bulletin No.: 05-08-44-010B
 
Date: November 09, 2005
 
TECHNICAL
Subject:
Radio Displays Locked Message Intermittently (Reprogram Radio)
 
Models:
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
2005 Pontiac Pursuit (Canada Only)
 
with Radio (RPO U1C)
 
Supercede:
 
This bulletin is being revised to provide additional corrective action information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 05-08-44-010A (Section 08 - Body and Accessories).
 
Condition
 
Some customers may comment of the following radio concerns:
- Inoperative or "dead" CD mechanism
 
- CD loads but won't play
 
- CD spins but no audio is heard
 
- Radio clock displays 12:00 while CD plays
 
- Radio VF display does not dim when the vehicle dimmer control is decremented
 
- Radio VF display momentarily flickers
 
- Radio VF becomes inoperative
 
- Radio displays ERR
 
- Radio displays LOC, disabling the radio
 
If the customer turns the vehicle "off" and then back to "on" the radio message may clear itself and the radio functions normally. This condition may be intermittent.
 
Cause
 
Due to a software issue, the radio may not be able to verify the vehicle VIN number and then goes into LOC mode.
 
Correction
 
DO NOT REPLACE THE BCM OR RADIO.
Important: Programming will cause the radio to lose station pre-sets. Note the station presets to they can be reset after programming.
 
A radio software update (calibration P/N 1327) has been released to address the conditions listed above. The software is available on TIS software update version 11.0 dated 10/30/05, or later.
Note: Using the software update on a radio other than the part numbers listed below may cause the radio to go "dead" and require replacement.
 
The software update ONLY applies to the following U1C radio part numbers: 15278465, 15235437, and 22712714. Radios which have been programmed with the new software will have a PROM ID of 052F.
Important: Verify the PROM ID prior to programming. Use the following steps to verify the PROM ID using the Tech 2(R).
 
1. Enter "Diagnostics".
 
2. Select Model Year = "2005".
 
3. Select Vehicle Type = "Passenger Car".
 
4. Select Make = "Chevrolet".
 
5. Select Product Line = "A".
 
6. Select F6: Body and Accessories.
 
7. Select "Entertainment".
 
8. Select F4: Module ID Information.
 
9. Select F1: Radio.
 
10. If the PROM ID = 052F, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PROGRAM THE RADIO. THIS MAY CAUSE THE RADIO TO GO "DEAD". If the PROM ID is anything other than 052F, proceed with programming using the steps listed below.
 
Reprogram the radio using the Tech 2(R). If using Tech 2(R) software version 25.010 or later, programming can be done using the "remote" method. If using an earlier version of Tech 2(R) software, programming must be done following these steps for "pass-thru" programming:
1. Enter SPS Programming.
 
2. Select Pass-Thru Programming.
 
3. Build the vehicle (i.e. year, make and model).
 
4. Verify the VIN.
 
5. Select the RAD (Radio) module for programming.
 
6. Select "Base Radio" (RPO U1C).
 
7. After programming is complete, the screen will instruct you to turn the ignition off for 30 seconds.
 
8. Reset the clock and station presets.
 
Warranty Information

#60 of 337 Re: UPDATED COBALT ISSUES [Mr_Shiftright] by leannemarie

Jun 18, 2008 (6:15 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 17, 2008 2:05 pm)
Thank you so much ~ I'm trying to hard to research enough so that I can walk in there and sound like I know what I"m talking about. any more info is always appreciated, but I will see how I do with this...

#61 of 337 They don't all dick you around. by sarah_duh

Jun 25, 2008 (4:17 pm)

My Cobalt was having issues with the motor in the steering wheel turning on and jerking the wheel back and forth. I had taken it to several different car shops, avoiding the dealer like the plague, but nobody could figure out what was causing the steering wheel to shake and the helicopter-like sound coming from under the hood.
I finally took it to the local dealer and they were so helpful, it was refreshing. I bough my cobalt used and was told there was no warranty left on it, but the gentleman who helped me found out that there was one, it just hadn't been transferred to me. Despite that, he considered it still warranteed and investigated the problem.
It turned out that GM had issued a bulletin stating if you can't get the vehicle to replicate the noise or the shaking, don't do anything about it. Under the off-chance that you can replicate the issues, the motor in the steering wheel needs replacing. The man who helped me couldn't replicate the problem as it only happens at freeway speeds, but he ordered the new part and will be installing it in 3 business days. He said he likes to treat his customer's and their vehicles as he would want himself and his vehicles treated. Now that is what customer service is about.
Other than that, my Lazer Blue Cobalt LS Coupe has been nothing but a dream. I'm the 4th owner of that baby, I've put nearly 8,000 miles on it since late December when I bought it, and it still runs like a champ. Sound system still works great, she still looooves to go fast, and the seats are still comfy for my frequent 2-hour drives on the weekends. And who the hell thinks those things have small back seats? You can't fit 3 full grown adults because Americans are FAT, but trust me, they definitely leave enough room to party. Or move.
The lazer blue cobalt coupe was my dream car from the moment I saw it, and honestly, it still is.

#62 of 337 Re: They don't all dick you around. [sarah_duh] by poncho167

Jun 28, 2008 (5:08 am)

Replying to: sarah_duh (Jun 25, 2008 4:17 pm)
The rear seat is a little tight but that wouldn't deter me from buying the car. Three average sized adults can fit back there but I wouldn't want to be back there for any long drive. The tight seat situation is pretty common in the compact car class so this isn't just a Cobalt thing. Yes, I agree most Americans need to stop eating.
 
The Cobalt was one of the first cars to have the electric steering instead of the typical power steering drive belt that robs gas mileage. The had issues with the power steering motor for the first couple years of production including its tendency to over-react to steering input. From what I hear everything has been corrected and electric power steering is now found in many brands of cars now.

#63 of 337 Crazy Door locking..? by jane28

Jul 08, 2008 (12:45 pm)

Hey what was the solution on any one who had the power door lock issue? My car is unlocking/locking itself when it is off or on.. randomly throughout the day. Can anyone help me with this.

#64 of 337 Re: Crazy Door locking..? [jane28] by leannemarie

Jul 08, 2008 (1:04 pm)

Replying to: jane28 (Jul 08, 2008 12:45 pm)
I haven't had that issue with my Cobalt, though I did have it with my first car - a Corsica. Ended up being the beginning of the death of that car.
Is it sporadically or only when you reach high speeds?

#65 of 337 Re: Crazy Door locking..? [leannemarie] by jane28

Jul 08, 2008 (1:24 pm)

Replying to: leannemarie (Jul 08, 2008 1:04 pm)
very sporadic.. even when the car is off and sitting in the driveway.. just started doing this too.. also.. my door chime started acting up about a month ago for no reason. I would open the door but hadn't left anything on and it would ding.. and then sometimes it doesn't do it. And once.. don't know if this is related.. but I was turning left and my brights were on.. and when I hit my blinker my headlights went out for about a half a second ( as I was turning..) On a VERY dark road. It was scary.. the dealer said I probably clicked the lights off while I was turning on the blinker.. it hasn't happened again but I don't really think that was it. I hope this car doesn't die. I am SO upside down.

#66 of 337 Re: Crazy Door locking..? [jane28] by jane28

Jul 08, 2008 (1:26 pm)

Replying to: jane28 (Jul 08, 2008 1:24 pm)
I forgot this, but another thing that started a few days before the crazy locking/unlocking started.. is that my passenger window won't roll down from the passenger control. It would roll up.. but not down.. and sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. But from my driver control, it all worked.. so weird.

#67 of 337 Re: Electrical issues, Stalling [jrector74] by tcliff

Jul 23, 2008 (10:53 am)

Replying to: jrector74 (Jul 03, 2007 10:34 pm)
My 2005 cobalt stalled out starting in July 07 every time I turned Right..not left, not straight..only right. This after owning it 6 months.. The digital indicator panel would go crazy too. Dealer put a data recorder on it for over a month..no good cause was found. They told me to remove all the keys from my key ring and just use the iginition key by itself. BAD answer..but it has worked ok now over a year. No stalling or indicator problems. Also, sometimes radio goes LOCKED..restart fixes it.

#68 of 337 Re: cobalt 06 [cmtracy] by tcliff

Jul 23, 2008 (11:07 am)

Replying to: cmtracy (Dec 25, 2007 7:25 am)
You're correct that the stalling problem some of us have is very dangerous. Very easy to get rear-ended while we coast along trying to re-start the car in neutral. has happened to me many times (05 cobalt). Dealer said to remove all keys from my key ring and just use the one ignition key..so far so good (1 year now). But this problem is more widespread than I thought.

Messages Page 7 of 34

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