Chevy Cobalt Intermittent Issue RESOLVED Instrument Cluster Gauges, Rough Shifting, Power Steering

[@BoomerElectronics]

THREE MONTH UPDATE (September 11, 2022): Problem has not returned whatsoever. I consider this issue resolved at this point. If for some reason the Cobalt ever starts acting up again, I'll post about it in a comment. Good luck everyone! November 28, 2024 update: Started having similar symptoms again over two years later. Found that oil had gotten into the same ECM connector, so the replacement oil pressure switch appears to be leaking. Ordering an OEM replacement from RockAuto and updating the description to contain the OEM part as well.

[@charlesjackson7232]

Have had this problem for 10+ years in a 2006 cobalt. 90,000 plus miles almost exactly as you explain. Sold a couple years back and just reacquired still with the same issues. I'll be checking this out in the morning! 36mpg on the way home! today

[@kokovsmirnoff1]

Thanks for this upload. I just had this issue and I got the parts, swapped out for the new switch, and it seems to have fixed the issue. I appreciate you taking time to add links to the parts and video to replace the switch.

[@BoomerElectronics]

No problem, glad that you got your Cobalt sorted out.

[@stevebentley5687]

Thanks for the video. All the other videos had me taking off a bunch of parts underneath when it was much easier to go from the top like you suggested. Oil was all over the clip sensor and on the TCM bottom sensor. Car already runs better. Had issues with it for two years so I’m crossing my fingers!

[@BoomerElectronics]

TWO MONTH UPDATE (August 9, 2022): Issue still has not returned. Will post one last monthly update and consider the issue resolved at that point if the problem does not reoccur.

[@caedendunning1159]

Dude thank you, saved me from ripping apart my trans mount and power steering system.

[@drivewaygarage1561]

Thanks for the video. I have the same issues and I hope to fix it tomorrow.

[@nickmoffatt4643]

I had the same symptoms on 2009 Pontiac G5. What caused it for me was a loose connection going into the BCM. The weight and tension from all the wires pulled one wire loose over time.

[@jorgieboi2499]

my 07 cobalt just started doing the exact same thing today. definitely going to look into this first. thanks for the video

[@BoomerElectronics]

Nice, hopefully it ends up being something simple like this. If you get a chance let us know how everything works after you've done the fix!

[@venividivici6418]

I'll check to see if this is the problem on mine. Thanks alot for this video.

[@technoman9000]

When you had this issue, did you ever get a random oil pressure warning light that went away after a few seconds? My 2010 cobalt now has a similar cluster issue, I wonder if it's related. I'll check this out!

[@BoomerElectronics]

No, I do not recall oil pressure light illuminating while this issue was occurring. Good luck to you.

[@BoomerElectronics]

ONE MONTH UPDATE (July 8, 2022): Car has been running great, has not acted up at all since changing the oil pressure switch and cleaning the oil out of the ECM. Will post another update in a month or if the issue returns.

[@jeremyphillips4477]

Do I just replace the power steering motor what is another option

[@pastorbrian700]

We own an 08 cobalt, which we purchased NEW. It's an LS, 5spd, have gotten 41.2 mpg on a road trip to Indiana before. Ours started with crazy symptoms just after the 36k warranty ran out several years ago. Front speakers completely quit, turn signals have no ticking sound, left signal front or rear no longer works at all (new bulbs no fix), gages go crazy from time to time, engine light stays on, engine runs ruff off & on... Car only has 111k miles on it as of today. I'll be checking into this fix, thanks.

[@BoomerElectronics]

The issue in this video would explain your gauges acting up. The turn signal sounds are played through the front driver side speaker, so your speaker not working is the cause of that issue. Based on my understanding this is a common issue with Cobalts because water is able to get inside the door and eat away at the speakers over time. My front speakers haven't worked in several years at this point. Good luck with your car.

[@jeremyphillips4477]

I started getting power steering hard for me to turn in Chevy cobalt what do I do next ?

[@BoomerElectronics]

There was a power steering recall for these cars years ago. If the car wasn't taken in for the recall then I'd suggest making an appointment at a dealer to get it fixed free of cost. www.thecarconnection.com/news/1043029_gm-recalls-chevrolet-cobalt-pontiac-g5-for-power-steering-problem

[@Ladybarber]

just wondering if there is an oil pressure sensor code that would come up when a diagnostic is done??? i am having same issues with my 2008 hhr . i have spent couple thousand already and issue not resolved. 3 different mechanics put hands on it already.

[@BoomerElectronics]

No, I never had a code related to the oil pressure sensor. If yours hasn't been replaced, then I'd definitely recommend looking into this.

[@Ladybarber]

I’m so bummed out. Seems nobody knows how to fix my HHR I asked mechanic to check it and also check transmission oil he said HHR didn’t need it. Apparently my car STRESSES the mechanics out.

[@BoomerElectronics]

@@Ladybarber I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully you can get it figured out. It definitely isn't a great time to be in the car market right now.

[@ElSteve-ORadioTM]

Can you please elaborate on the complete issues you're having? I may be able to assist you on what the issue could possibly be. I was in your position as well and spent nearly $500 dollars on an issue that should have only cost less than $10 dollars had I done the work myself. At the time, I was commuting back and forth for work over 60 miles away and needed my vehicle fixed promptly, and I didn't have the time to do it myself. Although, I had a pretty good feeling of what it was and advised the mechanic on my suspicion. Sure enough, it was exactly the issue. It seems to be an extremely common issue with these HHR/Cobalt/G5 engines since they are one in the same. Do let me know, and I'll gladly advise if vehicles symptoms are similar.

[@MrOmerta]

Cool ima check this out my cluster on 2010 cobalt 2.2 don’t move period. Ima also try the Tcm grounds I’ve seen hopefully get some type of results. Thx!

[@DoomGuySlayer96]

Might have to replace the steering column if you don't know how get ready to pay a hefty amount like me

[@rmenzies805]

I just had this happen today. Auto started the car and drove about 10 minutes to the bank and park. Come out of the bank to start the car and the "power steering" message lit up, wondered wtf and drove down the street with no power steering. Pull into a little parking lot and shut the car off. Pop the hood to see if anything obvious was loose which it was not, didn't touch of jiggle anything. Turn the car back on and everything was normal. Then drove around for about an hour for the rest of my errands and had no issue.... is likely to do this again?? And it it likely to fail while driving?? Its a 2008 cobalt LT. There is a slow leak which i only know to be the axl seal on the front passenger side... and that same tire the TPSM sensor is fried so I always have a TPSM light.. would that be related? Will cleaning and replacing the oil switch likely be the knly fix or are wires likely to be fried??

[@BoomerElectronics]

I am the original owner of my car, so I have a very long history with it and its issues. What you are describing sounds like a separate problem that is isolated to the power steering. I had a very similar problem occur many years ago while the car was still under warranty, and the dealer was able to fix it. Some time later there was a recall related to the power steering for all Cobalts, at which time I had the recall work done to my vehicle. I would recommend looking into if your car ever had this work performed. If not, you should be able to get a dealer to fix this problem for you free of cost. Article going over the recall: www.thecarconnection.com/news/1043029_gm-recalls-chevrolet-cobalt-pontiac-g5-for-power-steering-problem

[@gbaringtv5083]

i have the same problem inmy 2007 chevy cobalt, how can I fix it?

[@BoomerElectronics]

Assuming the same connector is full of oil then you need to spray it out thoroughly with contact cleaner and replace your oil pressure sensor. There's links and information in the description of parts used and a video showing how to change the oil pressure sensor.

[@JOSEJUANCHEL22RAMIREZCALVA]

​@@BoomerElectronicshola ami cobalt 2008 le prendio un candado y está las revulociones locas y cambios bruscos k puede cer medijeron k era la yabe ya compre la yabe nueva con 6 meses de garantía

[@johnnyholmes6738]

Thank you, this fixed the symptoms you described on a 2007 Cobalt. Everything to fix the problem was at the local Autozone. Duralast oil pressure switch part #PS449, OEMTOOLS Oil pressure switch socket part #25254 and CRC QD electronics cleaner. The socket was 1/2 drive, so I used a reducer so a 3/8 ratchet would work. I used the video link in this comment to replace the oil pressure switch, I did not have to remove the air pump. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iovKknRpgqumeck

[@2faded4it]

I have 2005 cobalt. Speedometer bounces, tranny over-shifts, and turning left the power steering seems to release intermittently. Could this be the speed sensor?

[@BoomerElectronics]

Hard to say, but if you've already looked into the ECM connector as shown in this video, then the speed sensor seems like a reasonable place to investigate from the very basic research I did.

[@mcbraxy3664]

I’m having the same issue as you no speedometer hard shifting hard think when going into reverse little backfire I have cut back the section of corroded wires stripped the wire that was still covered cleaned the oem copper ground on the front by the oil filter the one under the coolant and I cleaned the extra ground wire going to under the driver side headlight I still have no power steering and still shifts rough did the speed sensor on the transmission work for you I’m probably gonna get that next

[@Colby12431]

jus bought a colbalt today...this happened after i drove it around for about 2 hours....what parts do i need ?

[@BoomerElectronics]

Part numbers and links are in the description. That'll fix the core issue, but you'll also need to be sure to clean all of the oil out of the plastic connector. I doused it with contact cleaner and that worked fine.

[@sampaul1563]

so i’m having this problem but my head unit won’t turn on. how could these be related

[@BoomerElectronics]

I would imagine that's an unrelated problem since the issue shown in this video was highly intermittent, and I don't recall having any problems related to my head unit.

[@DoomGuySlayer96]

Have the exact same issues with my 07 ponitac g5 dropped mine off at the shop said it was a bad steering column ground wire 1400$ to fix insane but im saving up now

[@marcelaaamaya8260]

update?

[@BoomerElectronics]

It'll be two months exaxtly on August 8th, and the issue has NOT returned! Looks good so far. 👍

[@MashaNaidenko]

Any idea how much it would cost to take it to the shop? :)

[@BoomerElectronics]

The price is going to vary quite a bit depending on who you bring it to. Also, assuming that the issue in this video actually is the problem, this is definitely not going to be the first place someone at a shop looks. If you have any friends who are mechanically-inclined, I would recommend them checking this connector out first if you're having this issue since it is a relatively easy place to check.

[@AgustinHernandez-kx3qy]

This is happening to mee

[@AJ-vj3es]

Has there been any problems since? Currently having the same issues right now with my 09 cobalt. I have a misfiring cylinder code which is why I thought the bucking problem was occurring, however after I changed my spark plugs one day the car started running fine, the same night it snowed pretty hard and the problems started the morning after, I’ve been having this exact problem since, no idea what’s causing it or how to fix it.

[@BoomerElectronics]

This problem has not reoccurred for me, going on 7 months. The only notable thing that happened during that time with the car is the alternator dying a few months ago, but swapping it out fixed that issue and I have no reason to believe it was related at all to this problem (this issue had been present between two separate alternators in the past). I would definitely recommend checking out the connector shown in the video if you haven't already for signs of oil.