2011 Aveo will not crank on cold days (typically below 30-deg F)

My 2011 Aveo will not crank when the temperature is under roughly 30-deg F and it has been sitting. Also, the Hold light that normally flashes on for a second or two when I turn to start position, does light whne this no crank issue arises. If I momentarily disconnect the battery terminal and re-install...car cranks and starts no problem.

I have removed, cleaned and used a heat gun to test the start/ignition switch and that does not appear to be the issue. Battery is brand new.

I believe the key to solving the problem is that when it won't crank is that if the battery is disconnected and immediately reconnected...car will then crank, start and run fine. So I beleive that the computer is "hung-up" and that a power reset clears it...but I don't want to replace the ECM until I hear from someone else.

Thanks

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Originally Posted by shubee2

My 2011 Aveo will not crank when the temperature is under roughly 30-deg F and it has been sitting. Also, the Hold light that normally flashes on for a second or two when I turn to start position, does light whne this no crank issue arises. If I momentarily disconnect the battery terminal and re-install...car cranks and starts no problem.

I have removed, cleaned and used a heat gun to test the start/ignition switch and that does not appear to be the issue. Battery is brand new.

I believe the key to solving the problem is that when it won't crank is that if the battery is disconnected and immediately reconnected...car will then crank, start and run fine. So I beleive that the computer is "hung-up" and that a power reset clears it...but I don't want to replace the ECM until I hear from someone else.

Thanks

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that Heat Gun Test you used for the Ignition Switch can be used to test the PCM in the Engine Compartment; see if gently heating the PCM causes it to crank; if it works go to your Dealer and have them replace the PCM.

Thanks. My son claims that he removed the PCM...brought it in the house, used a hair-blower on the module...got it warm, let it set for an hour in the house and then re-installed it in the car. Supposedly, car still wouldn't crank.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shubee2

Thanks. My son claims that he removed the PCM...brought it in the house, used a hair-blower on the module...got it warm, let it set for an hour in the house and then re-installed it in the car. Supposedly, car still wouldn't crank.

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okay then, the next step is to check the Starter Relay to see if its Operating correctly; have your son attempt to start it during one of the times it doesn't start, while you listen in the Engine Compartment with the Underhood Fuse Box Cover off to listen for the Starter Relay Clicking. if it is clicking , next would be to check Both the IGN-2 Fuse and Relay.

this is an interesting problem, but cranking isn't directive of the ecm, it controls running.

I would say it has to be the starter relay. the only things it could be are battery, starter relay, or starter. the ignition switch is possible, but less likely. Do the lights on the dash dim when you turn the key to crank? Is your brand new battery a decent one? cca?

Thanks. The lights do not dim. Battery was a Duralast (actually $160, so I hope it is decent). I hear a relay click on the fuse/relay box under the hood near the battery.

By the way, this is a great forum...thank to everyone for the feedback!!!

Update...it was 5-deg F this morning. Car would not crank. Changed the ignition fuses and starter relays...still nothing (no cranking). With the ignition switch in start position, the required/normal idiot lights turnoff (and other usual lights such as Airbag and such) when in start position.

Is there another module somewhere that is tied to the starting. To elaborate, in the old days, if you wanted the starter to start (crank), you had to hold the ignition in the "start" position. Nowadays, you can release the ignition switch from the start position and it will continue to crank until it starts or for a certain duration. I'm wondering if that same feature could be keeping the starter from engaging.

Latest: Outside warmed-up to 21-deg F...car started no problem. However, the CEL is on and I have the following DTCs:

U0001: High Speed Communication CAN Bus

U0100: Lost Communication with ECM/PCM A

U0101: Lost Communication with TCM

I'm wondering if something in the TCM could be shorting the CAN Bus when it is cold????

Curious if you have an update on this as I have a Saturn Outlook that is doing something VERY similar.


On cold mornings (which we've had a lot of lately), the dash goes nuts, no park gear indicator, it runs real rough, and it locks into 2nd gear. After the engine warms up, magically everything goes to normal.


Pulling DTC codes, it seems that TCM is not communicating.


My theory is that there is a bad connection in the TCM connector and that on very cold days there's enough contraction to break the connection and when it warms up, the metal expands just enough to make a reliable connection.


GM has a TSB on issues like this for a variety of cars....


If I may suggest something, get a heat gun and try heating up the connectors on the ECM and TCM and then try starting the car. NOTE: Don't get the heat gun too close to the connect as you might melt things, that would be bad.