He called me tonight and said his car won’t start It’s a 2006 Chevy colbalt, I tried jumping it and no go. All lights come on like normal but when turning the key nothing happens other then the headlights go dark. I tried the remote start and nothing I’m going to go back in the morning and check all the fuses but could it be a bad starter or relay? Every thing was working fine and now it won’t start. No clicking nothing Thanks for any advice
Could be multiple things. I'm stuck in the habit of wiggling the gear select on older vehicles for park/stop switches.. That Cobalt has a starter relay. And of course a computer. (Jumpstarting scares them..And me.) Ignition switch is another suspect. Key cylinder. Found one mention of underseat wiring harness being a culprit.(And on another make a connection under the seat was loose.) And then there's crazier stuff...
That's wack! There are several comments on YouTube confirming that it actually worked for them too. Crazy stuff if true.
Doesn't sound like the battery, if everything works until you hit the key! Starter relay or solenoid?
To me the headlights dimming indicate the starter relay is doing its job, the starter is getting full current yet refuses to turn. I'd start by measuring current draw at the battery when the key is turned. Hopefully it's just a battery or starter.
I’d have the battery checked out first. If it’s completely bad, it won’t jump either. There’s a ton of things that could be wrong. But a battery ( even at today’s cost) is normally the cheapest fix. Of course, if it ain’t it, then you just wasted your money. So take it in and have it checked out Sent from my iPad using Michigan Sportsman mobile app
OLD SCHOOL MECHANICS would indicate a bad starter as mentioned if you can get to it whack it a few times with a hammer while trying to start it
Wonder if the headlights go dark due to electrical load or if it's a normal function of the ignition system? If it's from load, then the starter is toast or the engine won't turn for some other reason. I would locate starter and feel or visually inspect this wire. Cannot believe they still left them to the elements in 06.
Starter solenoid contacts often get pitted and corroded after many years and the car will do exactly as you state .
This... My 2010 Ram did the same thing. Wouldn't take a jump. Turned out battery was toast. First time I had seen that...battery not taking a jump. Could've been the jump vehicle..
Do not wack the starter with a hammer!!! The starters for years for years have been made with permanent magnets instead of field coils. If you hit the starter with a hammer you will crack the magnets, and then you will for sure will have to have it replaced, even if it was not the original problem.
I had a similar problem with my old van...when I drove it in the heat, and stopped, it wouldn't start. Not sure what the lights did, but no clicky, nothing. Stuck a remote charge on it, and replaced the starter on it. Even brought it to the mechanic, and they couldn't figure anything out. My problem only happened when it was hot. Finally figured out the starter relay thing, and $10 and 10 minutes later, and never had the problem again.
The very first thing I do is clean the terminals and battery. Check voltage while I'm at it. 90% of the time that's all it is is bad connection. If you're reading over 12v it should take a jump even if it's a weak battery under load. Than i would move on to starter voltage check. And so on
