Intermittent starting - no crank

[pcguy]

Still trying to figure out the cause and effect here, but there are times when it just won't turn over. No click, no crank and at the moment I have failed to notice if the dash lights up when I turn the key on.

Have tried the other key once and it started right up. Also got it to start using the suspect key by first doing a remote start/stop. It then fired right up????

Anyone else notice anything like this?

More to follow.........

 

[Eric Smit]

My advice; take the suspect key to the dealer and have them reconnect the key to your car.

Any advice given by Eric Smit is to be taken with a grain or two of salt, and any problems or malfunctions related with/to the advice are the sole responsibility of the third party. Compensation will not be provided.

 

[Sonic]

Which engine do you have?

 

[pcguy]

Which engine do you have?

1.8L Auto

 

[Sonic]

Either the key, the ignition, or the sensor in the transmission that detects if its in gear or not. Those are my 3 guesses.

 

[pcguy]

I think I'll mark the two FOB's and see if I can narrow it down that way. Seems it doesn't ever do it after you run the car a while. Maybe a bad battery? Just got the car this last week.



Correction, it will do it no matter how often/long you use the car. See latest posts from 2/7/12 below.

 

[pcguy]

battery test ok.........

 

[AndrewGS]

Sounds like the transponder in the key is messed up. The RF transmitter for the remote is fine, but the coded transponder is flaky.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Still trying to figure out the cause and effect here, but there are times when it just won't turn over. No click, no crank and at the moment I have failed to notice if the dash lights up when I turn the key on.

Have tried the other key once and it started right up. Also got it to start using the suspect key by first doing a remote start/stop. It then fired right up????

Anyone else notice anything like this?

More to follow.........

pcguy,
I would like to congratulate you on the purchase of your new Sonic!! I would like to apologize for the frustration that this issue has caused you. I would suggest that you take your vehicle and both sets of your keys back to the dealership and have them look into this for you. They are in the best position to diagnose this issue for you. I would like you to keep me posted on this issue. If you have any further questions please feel free to message me.
Thank you,
Stacy Chevrolet Customer Service

 

[pcguy]

Well, here's the latest. It does appear to be either key as both of them do it off and on. This morning running errands, the issue came up about 8 times while shopping in town.

One cure, as previously stated, was to start the car with the remote start and then to turn it off with the remote. Then without having removed the key, it starts right up. This worked again this morning.

Previously I switched keys (key B) with the wife and it happens with either key, randomly. Once when it would start with Key A, I remove it and Key B started it right up.

Then this morning, when it was acting up again, I removed Key A and reinserted Key A, and it started right up. While this may help to get me going and this may be a clue, it definintely doesn't isolate the onset.

More to follow........

 

[pcguy]

pcguy,
I would like to congratulate you on the purchase of your new Sonic!! I would like to apologize for the frustration that this issue has caused you. I would suggest that you take your vehicle and both sets of your keys back to the dealership and have them look into this for you. They are in the best position to diagnose this issue for you. I would like you to keep me posted on this issue. If you have any further questions please feel free to message me.
Thank you,
Stacy Chevrolet Customer Service

Hello Stacy, is this your normal haunt? I believe we've had discussions on the CF when you were filling in for Justin.

Thank you for the suggestion above, but of course, this is an intermittent problem and usually can not be demonstrated at will. This morning we were at the dealership when the problem had been quite prevalent in the last couple of startups - sat in the parking lot for a half hour before we gave up.

Earlier, when I had been speaking with the advisor, he suggested something along the lines of your above with the caveat to bring it in when it is happening. Hmmmm.

I suggested to him that he call Chevrolet Engineering to find out what may be going on. It seems like the comment fell on deaf ears and I have no idea if he is doing that or not. I definitely was not reassured.

Perhaps you could see if any of the engineers have a solution to this or a possible place to start.

I have discovered that when these cars throw a code, some of the codes disappear in 20 minutes or so. Should this be throwing a code? If it should, would I be able to immediately contact OnStar and have them identify the code, next time this happens?

Many thanks..........

I have quoted myself from my above post about the symptoms from earlier this morning in case you want to conveniently copy and paste this entire message and forward to someone in the know.

Well, here's the latest. It does appear to be either key as both of them do it off and on. This morning running errands, the issue came up about 8 times while shopping in town.

One cure, as previously stated, was to start the car with the remote start and then to turn it off with the remote. Then without having removed the key, it starts right up. This worked again this morning.

Previously I switched keys (key B) with the wife and it happens with either key, randomly. Once when it would start with Key A, I remove it and Key B started it right up.

Then this morning, when it was acting up again, I removed Key A and reinserted Key A, and it started right up. While this may help to get me going and this may be a clue, it definintely doesn't isolate the onset.

More to follow........

 

[AndrewGS]

Does it ever have a problem starting remotely? If not, it could be the key reader in the column.

 

[pcguy]

Does it ever have a problem starting remotely? If not, it could be the key reader in the column.

Of course, here on the coast in CA the need for the remote start isn't there (didn't even realize I would get that when I ordered it). Have tried the remote start about 7 times and it has always worked - all but 2 of those were performed to get going again because of the no start problem.

 

[AndrewGS]

Of course, here on the coast in CA the need for the remote start isn't there (didn't even realize I would get that when I ordered it). Have tried the remote start about 7 times and it has always worked - all but 2 of those were performed to get going again because of the no start problem.

If I were the service dept. I know where I'd start the diagnosis (no pun intended). The factory service manual should have this issue in the diagnosis section.

 

[pcguy]

Dwelled on this a bit and remembered a couple of things. When the key is in the run position the display appears just like it would if the engine is running, which appears normal.

When you turn the key to start, the display disappears regardless of whether the problem is present (ie the engine won’t crank), or not. This may suggest that the keys/reader/transponder are not the part of the problem.

The following is new information and something that occurred twice yesterday when the engine was actually starting. The starter paused/seemed sluggish just a bit – not the usual crisp sound of a healthy start. This kind of makes it look like either the starter or the starter solenoid/circuit. The only thing that doesn’t line up with that idea is the remote start - but of course that could easily be a coincidence.

Will be organizing all this info and emailing the service guy. The bad part of this is the response from service about requiring a demonstration of the problem. I suppose that eventually I will get stranded somewhere and the problem will be demonstrated.

 

[Papasonic]

Have the battery connections at the battery, and connections; battery to the starter; and battery to the engine and chassis ground been examined? That is an area often overlooked, and is critical that all connections be clean and tight. First place to start!
Papasonic

 

[pcguy]

Have the battery connections at the battery, and connections; battery to the starter; and battery to the engine and chassis ground been examined? That is an area often overlooked, and is critical that all connections be clean and tight. First place to start!
Papasonic

Totally agree - did some of that, but the starter/solenoid are not readily accessible. Have an appointment for Tues AM to have it checked out.

Of course, if a part is needed, another 50 mile round trip will be needed. Hopefully this won't leave me (or much worse, my boss) stranded in the meantime.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Dwelled on this a bit and remembered a couple of things. When the key is in the run position the display appears just like it would if the engine is running, which appears normal.

When you turn the key to start, the display disappears regardless of whether the problem is present (ie the engine won’t crank), or not. This may suggest that the keys/reader/transponder are not the part of the problem.

The following is new information and something that occurred twice yesterday when the engine was actually starting. The starter paused/seemed sluggish just a bit – not the usual crisp sound of a healthy start. This kind of makes it look like either the starter or the starter solenoid/circuit. The only thing that doesn’t line up with that idea is the remote start - but of course that could easily be a coincidence.

Will be organizing all this info and emailing the service guy. The bad part of this is the response from service about requiring a demonstration of the problem. I suppose that eventually I will get stranded somewhere and the problem will be demonstrated.

pcguy,
I have forwarded your information on to my supervisor. I see that you are taking your vehicle back into the dealership next week. I would like you to keep me updated on the outcome of that visit as well please. If I get any information on this issue I will be sure to keep you updated.
Also I am here filling in for Vanessa while she has been out of the office. I am happy to assist you in any way that I can.
Thank you,
Stacy Chevrolet Customer Service

 

[LS1notFOUND]

is this the factory remote start or a dealer installed remote start? A previous co-worker of mine had a very similar issue with his SUV a few years ago that was brand new...but the dealer did the remote start, not the assembly line...and I think its a joke that they try to pass it off as such in some cases.

Sometimes remote starts when not installed at the factory can wreck all kinds of things if done improperly or a loose connection. What you describe sounds like whatever relay or "ok to go" signal that is supposed to be sent isn't making it past the remote start/remote start module etc...which means when you remote start it, you bypass that problem all together because the remote start already has sent that signal. Basically a piggyback on the ignition system....or in your case a hassle.

Its basically a resistor reading system from what I gather that matches the key.

I'd imagine remote start on the west coast would be valuable to get the ac going ahead of time in those summer months

 

[pcguy]

Just got the Sonic on the 17th and the problem was evident from the first time we tried to leave the dealership with it. I didn't even know the remote start was going to be included. All factory..........

Never thought about using it for AC cooling - might be handy for those rare visits inland. Here on the coast the average summer temp is about 66, which is why I live here - don't get along well with hot weather. Found that out with my 4 year stint in TX many years ago.

BTW, thanks for that insight........