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2010 Chevrolet Cobalt Base 2dr Coupe

2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
Trim Info:
Front Wheel Drive, 2 Door Coupe, Sub-compact
25 mpg city / 37 mpg hwy
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June 11, 2012, 3:00 pm

Courtney W
 

Question: Should I replace my Cobalt's battery?

Bought a used 2005 Cobalt on a Nissan dealer's lot. A few days after purchasing, I started up my car to see "POWER STEERING" on the display. My power steering was actually working fine, but when I drove home the car jerked and shook the entire way. Started car next day and problem was gone. Over the next couple weeks, even happening today, I've been having a problem where I'll start the car and my tachometer will start jumping while I'm parked, some of my lights will come on (so far I've had the check engine light and the car security light come on) and when THIS happens, my power steering is completely off. Can barely turn the wheel. After I shut off the engine and try re-starting the car a few times, these problems go away. It's totally random. Now, I've done thorough research on this and made myself aware of the electrical problems these cars have, along with the power steering recall issue. However, my car was fixed for this problem in the past. I went to my dealership last week to have them run a diagnostic check on the car, but they called me saying NOTHING showed up for them; that everything appeared to be fine. I asked about a new battery and the mechanic was totally against the idea of buying one because he said the battery "only helps to start up the car. The alternator would be the issue for something electronic like I'm experiencing." This morning, coincidentally, I get in my car and I had the same two problems I listed before, but this time I ALSO had trouble getting the car to start. The battery in my car right now is also the same one it came with in 2005, so I don't see how a 7 year old battery COULDN'T have something to do with it. Mainly I wanted to get a second opinion on replacing the battery, do you think it would help anything if I got a new one? And if not, what could you recommend for me?


 
 



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