![]() ![]() It sounds awful as the timing belt or chain slaps the timing coverĬhevy Cobalt Shuts Down When Driving: Top CausesĪlways start your Chevy Cobalt shuts down while driving diagnosis by looking to see if there are any stored trouble codes. It may be intermittent, there should be trouble codes Usually, the battery light will be on before the engine dies You won’t hear the fuel pump priming (check below for the sound)Īnytime, particularly after a big bump or hard corneringĪfter the battery light has been on for a while You should hear the fuel pump priming, the gas tank should sound hollow There should be a button to deactivate this feature (check the owner’s manual) Click the links in the “Cause” column to get to the relevant section of the article for your car. Use this table to help you quickly determine why your Chevy Cobalt shut down while driving. Shuts Down While Driving Quick Help Table If it is, you’ll want to start with whatever trouble code you get from an OBD2 scanner. Before looking at anything, is the check engine light on? Vehicles are a lot harder to control without power brakes or steering.īelow is a list of the most common reasons your Cobalt would randomly die while driving. Good luck diagnosing your Chevy Cobalt’s alternator problems.If your Chevy Cobalt is shutting down while driving, it’s a real safety hazard. If it does go off, at least you know you can safely drive it somewhere with enough power going to the engine. If you have reason to believe that your alternator is not charging the battery all the way, and you are out and about, see if turning off all of the accessories (including climate control) and lights that you safely can gets the warning light to turn off. Does it appear to be shiny or glazed? Is it too tight or too loose? If the alternator can’t turn properly, it certainly can’t charge your Cobalt properly.Ĭonclusion: Chevy Cobalt Alternator Problems Visual Inspection– With the engine off, take a look at the belt that turns the alternator.Also the alternator bushings can go bad, which can mess with it’s geometry causing odd noises. The alternator may have worn out bearings, which lead to grinding or a hum that almost sounds like nails on a chalkboard spinning. Sounds– You may hear the serpentine belt squeal when you start the engine.When it can’t turn freely it may produce a noticeable rubber smell. Rubber Smell– If the serpentine belt that turns the alternator has gone bad, is out of adjustment, or has gone bad, it may not be able to turn freely anymore.Eventually the warning light will go on letting you know that the battery is not charging.īeing aware of the smells and sounds that your Cobalt makes is a great way to notice when something has gone wrong, and help you identify any potential alternator problems. When your alternator is going bad, one of the first things that you may notice is that the headlights and dashboard lights begin to fade. If the battery tests fine, it’s pretty safe to say that it is time to take the alternator in for testing. Most parts stores (or even Wal-Mart) will do this for you free of charge. Usually the battery light will have been on for a bit, the vehicle runs fine, and when you go to start it back up it won’t crank.Īt this point, you’d want to have the battery tested. The alternator may be charging still, but just not enough to cover the electrical needs of your Cobalt.Ī dead battery is the end result of an alternator not charging enough. It’s a warning light that indicates that the voltage in the battery is not sufficient. If your alternator is no longer capable of charging the battery, the battery light will come on. Here’s a good YouTube video on how to accomplish just that. All that you need is a good terminal brush. We always recommend this step since it’s free to do, and often solves the problem. Are they clean and free of corrosion? If they are covered in whitish crust, a good cleaning may be all that you need to do. Your Cobalt’s battery will not be able to keep the accessories and engine systems running for long without a properly functioning alternator.īefore diving in and reading this section on Cobalt bad alternator symptoms, take a look at your battery posts. If you suspect that you have alternator problems, it’s something that should be dealt with before you end up stranded somewhere. One of the most critical engine components in your Chevy Cobalt is the alternator. ![]()
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