Chevrolet Spark 2005: Starting issue

OBD scan would be my 1st option, not trying to debunk 1000 possibilities.
 
Rickster said:
OBD scan would be my 1st option, not trying to debunk 1000 possibilities.
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You are right, but I'm trying to save money as best as I can.
The problem is that we are in a small town and that chances are not very good for someone to have a system that will work on the car.
PE is about 80km away, so a tow truck will be expensive.

Not sure how a call out charge would compare, probably a bit cheaper.
 
Symptoms sound to me like dead battery. Running the starter with the car in gear won't break anything.
 
I had the car towed to the local garage and are now waiting for an auto electrician from a neighboring town. He is expected to arrive tomorrow.

It looks like the ignition could be a problem. I wiggled with the key and the dash lights would either be very bright, very dim or totally dead.

When dead or very dim the wipers, radio, etc would either be dead or move very slowly.

When bright(normal) everything would work fine, but the engine does not crank. Sounds like the solenoid kicks in as well.
 
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Rickster said:
This may sound so stupid, but have you tried to jump start it?
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No I haven't. I did charge the battery outside the car, but did not think of trying to jump start the car.

The battery seemed okay on the charger's meter and the cells bubbled.
I tested with a multimeter in the car the next day and the battery showed 13.9V.

I know those are not conclusive tests, but I thought the battery seemed okay.
 
Hectic said:
No I haven't. I did charge the battery outside the car, but did not think of trying to jump start the car.

The battery seemed okay on the charger's meter and the cells bubbled.
I tested with a multimeter in the car the next day and the battery showed 13.9V.

I know those are not conclusive tests, but I thought the battery seemed okay.
Click to expand...

I would try jump start it.


Dont forget to put the lights and fans on in the spark, or poof.
 
Rickster said:
I would try jump start it.


Dont forget to put the lights and fans on in the spark, or poof.
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The car is at the garage, but it is a pity we didn't try that.

Why the need for the lights and fans? Would the surge be to big?
 
Call the garage and ask them to put a known good battery in the car and try it.
 
Okay they replaced the battery and the car is up and running.

I find it weird that a battery with no history of giving problems, died with one turn of the key, but it is up and running.

Thank you to all of you that provided advice.
I really appreciate it.
:)
 
Good job. I had a similar problem a while ago, hence my suggestion. The battery in the car even had one of those 'window' things that are supposed to inform you of the state of the battery - that was still indicating as perfect condition, multimeter showed voltage and charging, but the engine wouldn't even swing. Not even a click from the starter motor. Replaced the battery and sorted.
 
Battery????
That was whats wrong? How?,why?
Suppose could be a faulty unit, first time for everything.....

Never heard of such a thing, but you learn something new everyday....
 
eg2505 said:
Battery????
That was whats wrong? How?,why?
Suppose could be a faulty unit, first time for everything.....

Never heard of such a thing, but you learn something new everyday....
Click to expand...
I honestly don't understand.
The battery had no history of struggling and with one key turn, suddenly the battery is a goner.

I think they fixed the symtom, but not necessarily the cause.
I hope I'm wrong, as it it is my daughter's daily ride.

I charged that battery as well and all the cells showed bubbles and tested it in the car a couple of days later and almost tested at 14V.
 
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You sure its the battery? Like you said earlier you said changed battery with another

And it didnt work? Cant be 2 dead batteries?

Maybe something else blew? Ecu maybe?
Not unheard of to actually have more than 1 problem at the same time....
 
eg2505 said:
You sure its the battery? Like you said earlier you said changed battery with another

And it didnt work? Cant be 2 dead batteries?

Maybe something else blew? Ecu maybe?
Not unheard of to actually have more than 1 problem at the same time....
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It was a typo. I charged the battery, not changed it.
So only the one battery.

It seems that there were some wiring issues that were sorted out, including the immobiliser.
 
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