Intermittent starting - no crank

[pcguy]

What does "cycle the locks" mean exactly?

 

[tjfees]

What does "cycle the locks" mean exactly?

I wasn't paying attention to what he was doing. Whatever it was, it did not take long. I'll ask him tomorrow.

 

[sonic12]

Update:

I got my sonic back today. They were able to duplicate the no crank situation. The under hood fuse block relay center was replaced. I drove it a few times here and there without issue but its too soon to tell if it fixed yet.

 

[pcguy]

What was it exactly that made them able to replicate the problem?

 

[sonic12]

What was it exactly that made them able to replicate the problem?

Reading the invoice it says they started it throughout the day with not problems. They spoke to the Technical Assistance Center and were advised to replace the fuse block it they could get it to no crank one time. Then it just says they got it to no crank.

 

[pcguy]

Would you ask them what they did to make it happen. The answer to this question is important, especially if they made it happen with some method other than the bent key/press button described above.

If they were able to make it happen in some other way, then the problem takes on a new scope and it means that even if one adheres to the requirements of the key not being bent, you may still experience the problem - that's troubling.

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

 

[sonic12]

Would you ask them what they did to make it happen. The answer to this question is important, especially if they made it happen with some method other than the bent key/press button described above.

If they were able to make it happen in some other way, then the problem takes on a new scope and it means that even if one adheres to the requirements of the key not being bent, you may still experience the problem - that's troubling.

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

I will ask. The last couple times I had the no start situation my key definitely was not bent. I tried to start from the onstar iphone app as well as the remote start on the fob with no success.

It has been one full day since the fuse block repair and all is well so far.

 

[sonic12]

Would you ask them what they did to make it happen.

I spoke to the service adviser about how they were able to reproduce the no start. He said they drove it to get it warm then shut it off and tried to start it again.

It has been 4 days since the repair and still good for now.

 

[pcguy]

Sounds like your situation, though similar in symptoms, was caused by something different. It also sounds like there was never any diagnosis that allowed the problem to be demonstrated at will and that the problem occurred more frequently than the issue of the bent key/pressed button.

 

[tjfees]

Mine has been starting for a little over a week now - every time. I keep the key straight and turn it more slowly. The last time they replaced the keys and the theft deterrent module.

 

[Casper]

I had another experience with no unlocking or flashing when using the fob.
As a nervous reaction I pushed the key open button, it "flicked" out, I quickly closed it, and I pressed the remote again, it functioned as normal!
So I did bend and unbend the key in the process, maybe it is related to the remote itself?
I only use the car a couple of times a week right now, so I will just watch the situation, it's not a big issue to me at the moment.

 

[pcguy]

Well, two weeks later and no other instances of the "no crank" problem. BTW, I can only make the problem happen if the key is not fully extended - unlike what I posted above, pressing the button causes no problem, unless the key is not straight.

 

[Red Sonic LT]

New victim

Well I just got the car this Saturday and this morning the car would not crank, here I thought maybe the battery, but checked ok, so I went and got the other set of keys, and nothing. I have the 1.8 auto btw. So looked up this post and tried extending the key and locking and unlocking the car, and nothing. So I didnt wanna run late for work, I left it and had the wife get it towed to the dealer. We will see what the verdict is. I only got the 1.8 because my wife needed and auto, but now that they have the 1.4 auto this could be a reason to change it

 

[tjfees]

Well I just got the car this Saturday and this morning the car would not crank, here I thought maybe the battery, but checked ok, so I went and got the other set of keys, and nothing. I have the 1.8 auto btw. So looked up this post and tried extending the key and locking and unlocking the car, and nothing. . . . QUOTE]

My Sonic has been starting with no problem since 2-15-12, the last time it was in the shop for this problem. Here are a couple of reference numbers that might help your dealer investigate yours:

Dealer Technical Assistance Case# 71-1037643121
Pat McGrath Chevyland, Cedar Rapids, IA
Coy Russell, Case Mgr. 319-294-1119

GM Customer Assistance Case# 71-1038000189

Hope this helps!

 

[Red Sonic LT]

Ok so we get the car back yesterday, at closing time, so they didn't have time to tell me what's up with it. My wife drives it around, I'm like cool it's fixed. And what happened this morning when I try to take it? Right same thing again won't start. Tried the different keys again and made sure they were properly extended. Guess its going back.

 

[pcguy]

Ok so we get the car back yesterday, at closing time, so they didn't have time to tell me what's up with it. My wife drives it around, I'm like cool it's fixed. And what happened this morning when I try to take it? Right same thing again won't start. Tried the different keys again and made sure they were properly extended. Guess its going back.

What did they say they had to do to fix it when you picked it up? Please let us know what the end result looks like.

 

[tjfees]

Ok so we get the car back yesterday, at closing time, so they didn't have time to tell me what's up with it. My wife drives it around, I'm like cool it's fixed. And what happened this morning when I try to take it? Right same thing again won't start. Tried the different keys again and made sure they were properly extended. Guess its going back.

I went throught the same thing with mine until it was fixed. A few things for you to do:

Keep a daily journal and document every detail. I got my case numbers out of my journal that you see in my previous post. If your state has a lemon law you can use your journal as evidence in any legal proceedings.

Make sure your dealer's service dept. gets the GM field engineer involved. He has ready access to their database and can look up those case numbers.

Go on the Chevrolet web site and log a Customer Service request. I think it was on the "Contact Us" page.

Threaten resorting to your state's lemon law and read up on it. I did at one point in my frustration.

You can still be "polite" with those trying to help you with the problem. Always point to the "car's problem" and not individuals unless, of course, they become a problem. Everybody I worked with was great and were genuinely concerned.

Hang in there and be open to communication with all involved. It's an ordeal, but I got through it.

 

[Red Sonic LT]

My wife picked up the car, so she didn't ask, but I will look at the service form they gave her and head my way to the service dept myself after work, and have a talk with the people there.

 

[Red Sonic LT]

Ok so got the car back today and I am looking at the service reports, my wife got to pick it up, so I was not able to talk to a tech. But here goes what the reports say.
Cause: codes PO615, PO617, P2078, 40101 ECM AND BCM FOLLOWED DIAG FOR P0615 OPEN CIRCUIT BAD CRIMP AT G104 RECRIMPED WIRE IN TERM. ALL K N6653 WIRE TO WIRE REPAIR
FC 0211.
That was the first report from the first time.

This is the second one
A CUSTOMER GETTING VEHICLE TOWED IN AGAIN WILL NOT START AGAIN, MM FOUND ALL FIVE GROUND WIRES CORRODED WITH GLUE. HAD TO CUT 4 INCHES OUT OF ALL WIRES AND REPLACE.

That's what they both say now, I asked my wife if they said anything to her. She says something about a ground, and the starting mechanism. So my guess could be the negative ground wire on the starter to the battery of some sort. We will see if this really fixed the issue.

 

[LS1notFOUND]

tjfees what exactly was said to cause your problem? i figure it something with the fancy starting module that also prevents accidental starter use. if you read the manual, all you have to do is flick it forward and the car should start on its own. obviously thats not happening. just curious is all