Engine won't start?

Tiny
RYANSHAW
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT
  • 197,000 MILES
While driving at freeway speed car overheated, I stopped and added coolant, as it was low. Temp light went off. Later same day overheated again, as I pulled into a turn lane to get off of the freeway the cobalt died and wouldn't start again, some smoke coming from eng. Compartment. Now when I try to start it all I hear is (I think) the sound of the starter spinning. Car has 197,000 overall, but I replaced the engine with one that had approx. 40,000 on it about 10-12,000 miles ago. Replacement engiune was out of a Ion from Canada.
Tuesday, August 14th, 2012 AT 5:13 PM

72 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
The overheating has most probably blown the head gasket and this has resulted in low compression which would not allow the engine tio be started. Get a compression test to determine if the compression is within specs.

This guide will help us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down this guide and report back.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 14th, 2012 AT 5:31 PM
Tiny
PATJ2466
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
  • 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 144,000 MILES
My car is super charged and I drove it through water. The car died and has not restarted since. I removed plugs and blew air down in cylinders but no water. Oil looks milky though. Checked all four coils and they are fine. Replaced spark plugs. Car tries to start but is only firing on two cylinders, left to right cylinders two and three only ones firing. No ignition module on this model. I moved one and four coils to two and three positions and two and three cylinders still only ones firing. Removing air cleaner did not help. Unplugged every wiring connection I could find and inspected, also sprayed with contact cleaner, please help thanks!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 14,540 POSTS
Milky oil suggests it ate some water. Not good, usually it means the engine needs major repair or replacement as water does not compress. First change the oil (use whatever cheap oil that matches the weight called for, you may be working on a dead engine so no reason to put $50.00 oil in it) but you also do not want to keep circulating water through it.
Stick a spark tester on one and four to see if they are actually generating a spark or not.

Then run a compression test and see what you have in each cylinder. You want all four to be within the same range (175psi in each would be good 160 will work) I am going to guess they will not be in spec. (Hope I am wrong) If they are not run a leak down test and see where the leakage is.

As for the possible problems - bent con. Rods, holed/cracked pistons, holed/cracked head, blown head gasket.
Good luck, post back with results of tests.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PATJ2466
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
Did a compression test, looking at engine from under hood, left to right #1 150# #2 165#. #3 180. #4 120 it's really trying to start just won't. Havnt changed oil yet. Turns over good. Gonna check wire loom that connects to each coil this wknd. Noticed from trying to start only #1 cylinder fowling plug.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,710 POSTS
Hey Pat,

This might sound crazy but have you changed the air filter. If it is soaked with water the engine will have a hard time starting.

Please let us know what you find so it will help others.

Best, Ken
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PATJ2466
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
The air filter was pretty bad shape but we took it off weeks ago, didn't help. Did an ohm test on wire loom from coil packs to plastic connector not sure if anything is wrong with it or not. Really stumped any ideas would be great duly appreciated.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 14,540 POSTS
OK how about a simple test to see if it's fuel or spark related. Get a can of starting fluid and give it a couple sprays and see if it fires on all 4 that way. If it does you have a fuel problem. If not it's ignition related.

Also unplug the MAF and see if water damaged it.

#1 fouling could mean you have a seal leak in the blower.

One other. Is the check engine light on?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PATJ2466
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
No check engine light, had all plugs out and turned over and vaporized gas blows up out of all cylinders. Pretty sure it's ignition related.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
G. BRINKMANN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 51,000 MILES
My Cobalt shut down on us when the air intake became clogged.(Where the air filter is/long story) The car shut down and will not start now unless we prime it manually. It will crank but will not fire. Tried replacing the air sensor on top that is attached close to the filter box. That did not change any thing.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Start with the basics, and work your way up, Last tune up was? Wires plugs ALL filters? If all that is ok, check for a stuck EGR, then test fuel pump pressure, If it won't restart, determine what's missing, the engine needs three things to run, Spark at all plugs, gas to all cylinders, and compression in all cylinders, tho an engine may run lacking one in one cylinder, it won't run very well!
https://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_video/test_fuel_injection_pressure.htm
Go here and checkout our video.
https://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_video/test_engine_ignition_system.htm
and this one!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 14,540 POSTS
If you are actually seeing gas then it's dumping a lot of fuel, flooding it out. Unplug the MAF and hold the throttle wide open and see if the clear flood mode lets it fire.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PATJ2466
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
I will try that tonight and let u know. Fingers crossed!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PATJ2466
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
I unhooked maf sensor turned over with gas pedal pressed. Still no start. I did turn key on and and checked voltage at the plug in for each coil pack. All 4 plugs tested 12.4 volts. But still no fire from 1 and 4 spark plugs I put a code reader on but no codes, I did have battery unhooked so probably why no codes.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,710 POSTS
Hey Pat,

It sound slike it might be a shorted coil either on 1 or 4 becasue they are related. Here is a wiring diagram to help fix the problem.

Try unplugging one or the other to see if the park will come back.

Please let us know happens so it will help others.

Best, Ken
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PATJ2466
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
I did move good coil2 and 3 to 1 and 4 spot& 1 and 4 to 2 and 3 spot. Still only got spark from 2 and 3. But I'll try what u said. Need all the help I can get! Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,710 POSTS
Please run some tests and get back to us so we can continue helping you.

Best, Ken
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RDJ3381
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 123,000 MILES
After a radiator hose burst the car stall and cut off. After the car has cooled im unable to get it to restart when I turn the key to start the belts move but is just won't crank. What could the problem be
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Hi
When hose blew was engine running fairly hot? Possible water got into some of the electronics. Check for spark at plugs. Also does it crank slower than normal?
Let me know
Thanks for dlonate
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PATJ2466
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
What about crank sensor? Could that be the issue?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RDJ3381
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yea it cranks really slow like the bateery is weak
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Not Running Content

Car Cranking but Not Starting? Try This
VIDEO
Car Cranking but Not Starting? Try This
In­struc­tional re­pair video
Engine Not Starting
GUIDE
Engine Not Starting
Over the past 20 years at 2CarPros we have iden­ti­fied the top prob­lems that are eas­ily fixed. This guide can save you a trip to the re­pair garage or call­ing a tow truck and...
VIEW MORE