V1 Laplansm's #252 Goblin - '10 NA Automatic

[laplansm]

Good evening,

I received my kit this morning, so I thought I would start my build log. I purchased a 2010 NA automatic Cobalt this past October, and the kit early November. I have very little mechanically knowledge, but I decided to undertake the challenge of building a kit car. Already I have enjoyed the experience and learned quite a bit about the inner workings of a car. I'm looking forward to the assembly of the kit. I will starting working on it tomorrow.

The donor is already dismantled. Almost every bolt was a challenge. But a good impact wrench did the trick. I'm not sure what else to mention about the donor. Also, I sent in my wiring harness because I didn't want to deal with the headaches. My wiring harness came back to me with kit so I can get to work right away.

 

[SmsDetroit]

Welcome.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

Welcome to the forum. Great start on your build with the kit coming soon. Give us some details like, what chassis number, track or city, standard or extended frame? How many miles on your donor? And maybe most importantly where are you located?

 

[Ark :D]

Welcome. That donor looks pretty rough, did it run before disassembly?

 

[laplansm]

Hello again,

I'm #252 standard city Goblin. My donor had 84,000 miles. I'm located in small town in Northern NY. I plan on jumping through all the NY registration hoops when I'm ready for that.

My build has been coming along quickly. I painted the frame last Saturday and let it bake in the sun on Sunday. I started the assembly and started off with some problems. My hoses didn't pull easy through the frame and I finally go them through with the help of my truck. After that everything has been going smoothly and quickly. I was missing the power steering bracket with my kit, but I have one coming to me soon.

I ultimately ended today with engine in and all the wiring and fuel lines connected for my first start up. I just connected the power steering without the bracket installed. I ended up checking all the grounds and those seem to be connected. I was wondering if the power steering unit needs to be grounded to the frame? Maybe this is possible reason for the no start.

I also have the dreaded power steering message. I looked through other posts and read them. Sounds like a communication issues. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should check first?

Also, I will post pictures once I get them downloaded on my phone

 

[laplansm]

Welcome. That donor looks pretty rough, did it run before disassembly?

Yes the donor ran lights worked with no check engine light.

 

[Ark :D]

Power steering message usually indicates a lack of end-to-end communication on the tan and tan/black high speed data pair. It should start at the OBDII port, the go to the power steering, then (turns to brown and brown/white) to the BCM, then (turns back to tan and tan/black) to the ECM.

 

[laplansm]

Thank you!!! I will check continuities tomorrow.

 

[Ark :D]

Does your butterfly react when you press the throttle pedal? Check that too, while you're at it.

 

[laplansm]

No the butterfly doesnt move.

 

[Ark :D]

Then you almost definitely have a data wiring issue. You should try re-seating all the BCM and ECM plugs, putting a lot of pressure on them while you push the levers over.

Check the 50-amp fuse near your battery.

Do you get a mileage readout on your cluster when the ignition on?

 

[Ross]

I found that a compressed air cleaning helps on the electrical connectors.

 

[laplansm]

Then you almost definitely have a data wiring issue. You should try re-seating all the BCM and ECM plugs, putting a lot of pressure on them while you push the levers over.

Check the 50-amp fuse near your battery.

Do you get a mileage readout on your cluster when the ignition on?

Yes, I do get a mileage readout and temperature. The 50amp fuse looks good and I looked through the fuses in the fuse box. All look good. I will try to clean the connectors and reassemble the fuse box.

 

[laplansm]

An update from yesterday. I didn't have much time to look at the wiring today, but I did check the data wires all the way to the ECM and everything checked out. So I decided to go through the fuse block again, and the ECM fuse was blown. I guess that is what I get for not paying attention. Anyways, Lowes closes soon and I can't go out to get a fuse today. But I'm sure that is the reason for my communication issues.

 

[laplansm]

The first start is complete!!! Two blown fuses was the culprit. It took me awhile, but I figured that the BCM had fuses as well. Also, it helps if your starter wires are plugged in. But other than that, she started up on the first turn.