Cobalt 06 - Starter Issues(?)

[weston]

Hello. I'm new to the forums. I have an 06 cobalt that refuses to start. When our problems started was when she went out on a cold morning and tried to start it, it started flashing all of the lights in the dash and making a rapid clicking noise that stopped when I pressed the max air button. No engine turnover.

We had it taken to a mechanic he said the codes were coming back as ECM errors. We towed it to the dealer they gave us an estimate of a grand, eww. I got an 2006 cobalt ecm from a junk yard and plugged it in.. Nothing. We replaced the battery. Now when we try to start it the lights don't flash, but it makes a clicking noise, and there's a real strange high pitched noise coming from around the engine that happens when i turn the ignition.

My friends are telling me it's the starter and if it is I can locate it by following the positive battery cable back to where it is. I had trouble doing that. So I found online that I can take the intake manifold off and see it? I've been trying to do that. I got the manifold loose but there's just one hose connected to it I cannot remove, facing it the hose is to my right. Real frustrating.

I want to smack the starter with a hammer and kick the solenoid back in to see if it will start after that. Am I taking the wrong approach? WHAT is the trick to getting this hose off, and what is this hose? Should I be getting under the car instead of taking this manifold off?

Thanks for the help.

 

[YelloEye]

There is no max air button, so which button are you talking about?

That ecu you got from the junk yard won't work with your car unless it's programmed to your Vin.

Try putting your ECM back in and starting it with the new battery.

 

[weston]

The recycle air, return air button.

We were told that the ecu should work since it's same year model and it's an lt, but i will try putting the old one in with the new battery and give you an update. Thanks

 

[weston]

I put the old ecu back in with the new battery and I got absolutely nothing. Turning the ignition causes literally nothing to happen, no lights/no dash lights/no crank/no click, nothing. It's as if the battery is not connected.

With the junk yard ecu in the dash lights come on, I can turn on the headlights, and when I turn the ignition I get the high pitched noise and the clicking but no start.

I'm going to check the fuse box if I get the chance tm. Any other suggestions or questions? Getting sick of this thing, I feel like it could be so many different issues and I'm just trying to narrow it down. :/

 

[YelloEye]

When the ignition is on with the new ecu, does the security light stay lit?

 

[weston]

i'll plug it back in tm after work and let you know

 

[weston]

I plugged the new one back in, now nothing is happening with either one... No lights, no crank, I get nothing when I turn the ignition with both ecu's.

 

[YelloEye]

Battery still have power? Fuses? Power wires hooked up right?