All power -No crank/No start

[Kens2010LTZ]

Hey folks!
I'm not a very active member but am hoping to get some assistance or guidance here.

I have a 2010 LTZ, 4 cyl, 55k

Issue: Vehicle would not start this morning. Everything seem to power on (remote lock-unlock-trunk, radio, climate control, interior/exterior lights, etc.) and dash appears to light up as normal, but I get nothing from the engine when attempting to start. Remote start does not engage either.

This same issue happened about this same time last year. Vehicle was still under warranty at the time and was towed to the dealership. However, upon their first attempt to start it, she fired right up, of course. Diagnostics were ran with no negative results shown so problem was unknown. Vehicle was returned and has operated daily as normal ever since without a hint of an issue, until this morning. Both incidents it seems to have been the first sub-freezing temps of the season. This was certainly the case last night and I am pretty sure it was the case previously.

Things I have done in hopes to resolve:

Removed and cleaned battery cables

Removing battery cables and let sit for about 30 minutes

Jumping (neighbors F150)

Turning key to run position and letting sit for 10-15 minutes, then to off letting sit for 5 minutes. This I found as a "trick" related to possible malfunctioning anti-theft system that causes similar no start issues, however my anti-theft light does not stay on. Just thought Id give it a try as I am at my wits ends here on this.

Not sure what other information I can provide. Really at a loss here. I am leaning towards possibly an engine/coolant temp sensor giving inaccurate readings (I'm grasping here). Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance for any input or assistance.
Ken

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

@Ken, on page 8-8 of the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu owner’s manual it reads that the Roadside Assistance program is provided for up to 5 years or 100,000 miles whichever happens first. I recommend contacting them and having the vehicle towed. This might be something covered under the Powertrain warranty.

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

[greenman]

Originally Posted by Kens2010LTZ

Hey folks!
I'm not a very active member but am hoping to get some assistance or guidance here.

I have a 2010 LTZ, 4 cyl, 55k

Issue: Vehicle would not start this morning. Everything seem to power on (remote lock-unlock-trunk, radio, climate control, interior/exterior lights, etc.) and dash appears to light up as normal, but I get nothing from the engine when attempting to start. Remote start does not engage either.

This same issue happened about this same time last year. Vehicle was still under warranty at the time and was towed to the dealership. However, upon their first attempt to start it, she fired right up, of course. Diagnostics were ran with no negative results shown so problem was unknown. Vehicle was returned and has operated daily as normal ever since without a hint of an issue, until this morning. Both incidents it seems to have been the first sub-freezing temps of the season. This was certainly the case last night and I am pretty sure it was the case previously.

Things I have done in hopes to resolve:

Removed and cleaned battery cables

Removing battery cables and let sit for about 30 minutes

Jumping (neighbors F150)

Turning key to run position and letting sit for 10-15 minutes, then to off letting sit for 5 minutes. This I found as a "trick" related to possible malfunctioning anti-theft system that causes similar no start issues, however my anti-theft light does not stay on. Just thought Id give it a try as I am at my wits ends here on this.

Not sure what other information I can provide. Really at a loss here. I am leaning towards possibly an engine/coolant temp sensor giving inaccurate readings (I'm grasping here). Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance for any input or assistance.
Ken

No sound from the starter at all? Even while jumping? Are you getting voltage to the solenoid terminal on the starter during a crank attempt?

Lots of possible causes & it will be pretty hard to gather evidence to track it down unless you can use a multimeter or at least a test light.

[greenman]

Originally Posted by Chevrolet Customer Svc

@Ken, on page 8-8 of the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu owner’s manual it reads that the Roadside Assistance program is provided for up to 5 years or 100,000 miles whichever happens first. I recommend contacting them and having the vehicle towed. This might be something covered under the Powertrain warranty.

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

Odds that it's a PTW-covered issue are pretty slim. And if it's not a covered problem, isn't the OP charged a towing fee? I can't remember how RA works.

[coral reef]

This happened a couple of times on our 08 malibu LS. Both times it happened I pushed in the button on the shifter handle and kind of shook it a little and it started right up. Ours could also not be duplicated because it only happened a few times at random intervals. It's been a long time since it's happen and we have 89k on our car which we bought new. Anyway, you might give that a shot.....also I go a recall notice today saying that sometimes the car can become disengaged in park and roll away, lol, and not to contact the dealer until 'early 2013.' Wow, they must not be in any hurry to fix it.

Good luck and let us now if you figure it out!

[coral reef]

Originally Posted by greenman

Odds that it's a PTW-covered issue are pretty slim. And if it's not a covered problem, isn't the OP charged a towing fee? I can't remember how RA works.

Yep, that's how it works, been there done that!

[greenman]

Originally Posted by coral reef

This happened a couple of times on our 08 malibu LS. Both times it happened I pushed in the button on the shifter handle and kind of shook it a little and it started right up. Ours could also not be duplicated because it only happened a few times at random intervals. It's been a long time since it's happen and we have 89k on our car which we bought new. Anyway, you might give that a shot.....also I go a recall notice today saying that sometimes the car can become disengaged in park and roll away, lol, and not to contact the dealer until 'early 2013.' Wow, they must not be in any hurry to fix it.

Good luck and let us now if you figure it out!

A shifter range selector switch issue or shifter cable issue are certainly two of the possibilities for a no crank condition. There are several others.

[Kens2010LTZ]

Thanks for the responses all!

Still not sure what's going on here. After trying what little I could think of as described above, as well as what was offered up here, there was change. No crank/no start.

However, after letting the vehicle sit for about 3 hours without any attempts of starting or fiddling with this or that and while doing other research on the matter, I went out to try and start it and viola! Cranked right up and has every start since with no issue.

The one thing I have been doing different is parking in the garage (wife is not too happy about that of course, ha). I do plan to park it back out in the elements on the next hard cold we get, as long as its not a workday, in order to see if my theory of some sort of coolant/engine temp sensor could be an issue.

I'm really at a loss on this.

Again, thanks for the input. Stayed tuned.

[greenman]

Originally Posted by Kens2010LTZ

The one thing I have been doing different is parking in the garage (wife is not too happy about that of course, ha). I do plan to park it back out in the elements on the next hard cold we get, as long as its not a workday, in order to see if my theory of some sort of coolant/engine temp sensor could be an issue.

An ECT sensor problem cannot cause a no crank. But these issues can:

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#PIC5234: Intermittent No Crank No Start With No DTCs - (Sep 1, 2009)


Subject: Intermittent No Crank No Start with no DTCs


Models: 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu

2007-2010 Pontiac G6

2007-2010 Saturn Aura




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The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern:
Condition:
Intermittent No Crank No Start.

Cause:
A customer or technician may comment on the above condition. This could be the result of any of the following:

Misadjusted or damaged transmission shift cable. Park Neutral (PN) switch installation or internal failure. Loose or broken battery ground cable to ground stud (mostly on the 3.5L engine on the ground stud on the trans) Loose or damaged cable at the B+ post at the starter.

Follow the below steps to determine the root cause and necessary repair.

Recommendation/Instructions:
Carefully inspect transmission shift cable for any signs of damage. Replace cable if any damage is found.
Check transmission shifter and cable adjustment
In an attempt to duplicate the condition try shifting from any shifter position into the park position carefully, not slamming it in park. After shifting in to park try starting vehicle. If the vehicle does not start unless you push the shifter hard in to park you will need to adjust the shift cable as described (09077A)

Check output from Park Neutral switch to ECM for proper signal. Check all terminals for loose or poor connections at Park Neutral switch and ECM. If all appear okay replace the Park Neutral switch.
Loose or damaged nut/cable at the B+ post on the starter. (PIC5100) If post is damaged the starter will need to be replaced.
Loose battery ground at the ground stud. This issue is mostly been seen on the 3.5L engine, however some cases on 4 cylinder also. Check for loose connection between terminal and stud. Check for poor crimp between the terminal end and the cable. Check for broken cable strands at the crimp which may create high resistance. Replace the ground cable if a poor crimp is found or the cable has any sign of damage. If fastener is loose tighten fastener to proper torque.
Poor terminal connection at ECM or UBEC. Remove and do a terminal inspection and lube as per TSB (08-05-22-009A)
Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.