Chevrolet Cobalt Electrical Problems

I don't have any issues with my ignition or anything like that; This is a reply from a post I made re: my Ebrake and high beam indicator lights flashing on w/o reason, and my CD player giving me 'ERROR".
Replying to: wallstfun (May 25, 2006 11:30 pm
thanks for getting back to me ~ yes, I brought it up with the dealer. the told me i was the only one who's mentioned it and the lights aren't actually coming on, so not to worry about it. obviously i wasn't pleased with this response, so i had them check it out and apparently they found nothing out of the ordinary. However, I have found on other forums that this is a relativly common problem for the '06.
As for the CDs, no, they were not copies (im aware some players don't like them). But I've also seen this happen in other cars.
Don't get me wrong, i LOVE my cobalt (and im SURE it could stand up to any import, its a chevy). I'm just concerned that I may have invested in a vehicle that will bring me the same issues down the road as the intrepid. I was hoping that by possibly finding other ppl with this issue, i can get my dealership to actually do something. tho what can you do when you can't find the problem?
I'm a little stuck on what to do from here.... :confuse:
Replying to: wallstfun (May 25, 2006 11:30 pm
thanks for getting back to me ~ yes, I brought it up with the dealer. the told me i was the only one who's mentioned it and the lights aren't actually coming on, so not to worry about it. obviously i wasn't pleased with this response, so i had them check it out and apparently they found nothing out of the ordinary. However, I have found on other forums that this is a relativly common problem for the '06.
As for the CDs, no, they were not copies (im aware some players don't like them). But I've also seen this happen in other cars.
Don't get me wrong, i LOVE my cobalt (and im SURE it could stand up to any import, its a chevy). I'm just concerned that I may have invested in a vehicle that will bring me the same issues down the road as the intrepid. I was hoping that by possibly finding other ppl with this issue, i can get my dealership to actually do something. tho what can you do when you can't find the problem?
I'm a little stuck on what to do from here.... :confuse:
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As for the CDs, no, they were not copies (im aware some players don't like them). But I've also seen this happen in other cars.
Don't get me wrong, i LOVE my cobalt (and im SURE it could stand up to any import, its a chevy). I'm just concerned that I may have invested in a vehicle that will bring me the same issues down the road as the intrepid. I was hoping that by possibly finding other ppl with this issue, i can get my dealership to actually do something. tho what can you do when you can't find the problem?
I'm a little stuck on what to do from here.... :confuse:
On the subject of the vents building condensation, I have that to when I run the A/C on high. I did mention this to the dealer on an oil change and he said it was normal on the cobalt. That the vent design lets the dash around it get very cold causing the moisture to build. He said just watch the vent above the radio to take a tissue and dry it not to let the water run into the cd player. Bad design that we live with. It doesn't happen on any other setting but high.
:lemon:
They also replaced the shifter - i was also having problems with the key getting stuck in the ingition. The guy at the dealership said that almost every colbalt that he has seen has had trouble with the shifter - they were cheeply made. But he replaced it and it seems to be working well now.
I can see the low fule message on the display, if I ask for it. I looked though the manual but see no other dash warning of low fuel. can I add one. Will it flash on the display if it gets lower?
Here is one. It is called Electrical system groups & discussions.
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.ef14c39/?ed_displayMakeModelRelatedDiscussions!make=CATS&model=Electrical System
Here is another link where it has all repair topics.
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef14c39/?@@
No experience with aftermarket power windows except on Classic cars. Those seem to work fine but are pretty pricey and kind of a [non-permissible content removed] to install.
Have found with many cars that having excessive junk on the key chain has contributed to the issue.
Also...at times when I start it the windshield wipers turn on by themselves and run for a while before stopping. I can move the wiper switch but nothing happens.
Been to the dealer 3 times for all of these. Of course, it's never duplicated so they send me away.
Other than that it's a great car....much better than the Cavalier it replaced. Looks nicer, more power, better gas mileage.
The dealer is now ordering a whole new gas tank unit including fuel pump? So another trip back in a week or two. I owe too much money to trade it in on another car. Thanks
I don't know what to believe anymore. The dealer is very nonchalant about it and my salesman claimed the did nothing wrong & my response they did nothing RIGHT! Also asked if I wanted to trade car in and I said I should get a 2008 with no loss on my end and they didn't like that either. Heard again that they never get complaints and I'm the only one so I showed them the Edmunds complaints, no comment. I did contact 800# at GM and if there is a next time, I was told to open a case with Better Business Bureau. I do believe I have electrical problems also.
I even chose the bare bones package with no electrical windows etc so I would have less problems! Guess that didn't work. I also made the mistake of chosing a dealer with inconvenient hours never thinking I would be there so much!
Contact GM and BBB to start a paper trail. In PA, the lemon law is 1 yr/12 months so I don't qualify, I have 21K and am concerned about our winter coming up in the next 3 months. I hope they get it right this time.
I love the dealerships responses, like I have nothing better to do & make this stuff up about my car, barely missing 4 accidents with this car stalling.
Have found the condition is more likely to happen with those that have a lot of junk hanging on the key chain. Not saying you have a lot of junk on your key but that has been an issue with several cars besides the Cobalt.
i've got the same problem and ive been afraid to try it since i can't get the key out.
I am experiencing problems with my Cobalt as well. My biggest issue is the security lock flashing on my console when I go to start it in the morning. If I wait half an hour an try again it will usually start and then there are no problems until the next time. I've had it into the dealer 3x's with this issue but it starts for them and then they can't log an error code to identify the problem. My warranty is up, I'm tired of paying the dealer for nothing and nobody can figure this out. I've read through this forum and can't find any solutions. If there is anyone that can help me I'd really appreciate it. Other than that I love this car and thankfully haven't had any of the other problems some people on here have identified.
This is a great forum. Thanks for any help you can give me.
GM offered my free oil changes and tire rotations for 1 yr, BIG DEAL the car didn't run! I was so disgusted, I emailed the Lemon Law in my state and after a few weeks I did get some help.I received money for a down payment on a new vehicle and my attorney fees were paid by GM. GM did refuse to buy my lemon back of course, why should a big corporation take such a big loss. I could have lost my life. After the 3rd time my car completed died on an icy hill in Dec. I decided I couldn't drive it 50 miles a day anymore. Luckily, I proved my case and GM settled. I hope that everyone with 05 and 06 Cobalts can keep calling GM 866.697.7482 or www.gm.com. These cars should have been recalled. GM settled 3 weeks after my Lemon Law claim. Obviously, GM knew there is a problem. I appreciate all the feedback on this website also. The service manager was so rotten to me, I wouldn't buy a piece of gum from him. I always told the company line, "We never have trouble with cobalts", I guess my cobalt broke the mold here in Pittsburgh. I enjoyed the car, even purchased the extended warranty but the car never made it past 21K with me. Pretty pathetic for GM. Never again......
i have a 2005 cobalt and i may have the same problem . . . .
recently (2 months ago) i noticed that oen of my headlights didnt work when i unlocked it with my remote. so i figured i need a new bulb . . then it came back on so i forgot about it.
NOW when i hit my unlock on the remote BOTh low beams come on . .like theyre supposed to . . but when i put my key int he on position and go to start my car they both go off. High beams both work . . . but not the low beams . . . i can go up and hit the driverside headlamp and it will comeon but it wont work for the other low beam.
it happens more consistantly now than before so .. . im also curious how to fix it because i dont think a bulb replacement will do since they both work . . .
if you hear anything let me know
joseph
any help you can provide
joseph
yeah when i bought it . . it was totally an impulse buy . . it was actually a mistake but whatever. I havent had trouble with it at all really . . . i had to replace the MAP sensor and TPS sensor . .. but then found out those warnings were probably being set off by carbon build up in the throttle body . . but still i have 2 new parts on it lol.
other than that i really havent had any trouble with it . . just recently with the headlights . . and it has 108k miles so ive been pretty fortunate also . . . no other problems . .. the E brake light and highbeam display has come up once or twice but not for awhile.
yeah in hindsight i wouldnt have bought a new car at all . . . i LOVED My cavalier 1999 . . . i had NO trouble with it i sold it with 205k miles and got 3000 for it ha
well thanks again
Joseph