2005 Chevrolet Cobalt electrical

LAXBEACH15

MEMBER
2005 CHEVROLET COBALT
56,000 MILES

There has been a lot of rain and I guess that got in the trunk where the battery is.
I tried to unlock my door and that didn't work so I got my other keys thinking the battery in the fob died. That didn't work either. My car didn't want to crank but it did, I ran it a little and then it completely died. I went to check the battery in the trunk where I was greeted with a puddle so the battery was bathing in what I think was rain somehow. Before my car died it flashed the power steering message in the driver information center. Could that mean there is more damage than it appears or does the DIC flash certain messages at a loss of power? I have had the steering fixed by recall already if that helps. I talked to someone else and they think the cars battery might be dead.

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LAXBEACH15

MEMBER
5 POSTS

Further observation. Why would all of the above happen? I am not able to unlock/lock the car, start the car anymore, but my alarm system still seems to be working regularly. I have not tested other systems on the cars accessory mode in the ignition. Do they have all those systems wired in a way to where some components can work on a low battery and some not work? I'm just worried about the computers and stuff. It doesn't have active Onstar for sure though, if that means anything.

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Tuesday, July 9th, 2013 AT 4:19 AM

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Try resetting your alarm system first. Make sure battery is good. You may have atrunk leak causein gwater to go to battery. Instructions in pic

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Tuesday, July 9th, 2013 AT 5:00 AM

LAXBEACH15

MEMBER
5 POSTS

Thank you for your answer. It ended up being the AC Delco battery, I guess it leaked the acid by old age, the battery lasted about 6-7 years which seems pretty good. I would've got a new Delco but I'll just wait to get one in my next GM. The acid corroded one of the battery cables so that was why my car shut off after a while. My further question now goes to the electrical powersteering system. I had the EPS motor replaced under recall in 2010, and I have not had any problems with it until this happened. It seems to be out again or perhaps it's the fuse. I've heard that the EPS has it's own computer so does that computer need to be reset or maybe is it just the fuse? I've read cases that before the recall they would replace the whole steering column, If it needs to be replaced are you aware of if they sale the motor individuly now without replacing the whole steering column?

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Monday, July 15th, 2013 AT 5:27 AM