My Aveo let me down tonight.

[hayesbcajh]

Got out of work 80 miles from home and the battery died. Nothing was left on. First cold day in a while and it just quit. Not even a flicker. Got a jump and let it run for 20 min before going to class. Hoping it will start when I get out of here. 1 year and 1 month old with 22k miles. I know it's not a major problem, but very disappointing. Not to mention it's cold waiting outside for half an hour when it's 17 degrees.

[bunyz06rabbitt]

That has to be more than a little frustrating especially when you're busy and got places to go and things to do. It happens to all of us sooner or later. Sure has happened to me. Are you sure your dome or courtesy light was not left on. Glove box shut good? Door shut good? Know what I mean? You may have a short to ground somewhere or a defective battery. If it "just quit" that would indicate computer or faulty wiring somewhere. If your'e still under warranty try taking it in 'cuz it may come back at you! It might also be the head unit you installed and the all 4 windows down in that downpour might also be a factor.

[AveoH]

Kinda sounds like the battery let you down and not the actual car. ;p

[zx2guy]

it could have been anything from the battery (cold weather hinders batteries, the summer heat is what kills them> it just becomes evident in winter) to the wiring, to the alternator. you must have an auto right? normally even with a dead battery you can "push start" a stick.

[hayesbcajh]

It's strange because it got even colder that night and I had no problem the next morning...and I left it outside, I normally put it in the garage. Ever since that night I have not had a problem (about 2 weeks later) which concerns me because now I'm nervous that it will happen again.
I do have a standard. Figured I would use roadside assistance since I have it. As far as push starting goes...will it really start with a dead battery? If the ignition system is electronic, where does the spark come from? Last time I push started a car was on a vehicle manufactured in 1980.

[zx2guy]

dont quote me on this but i am pretty sure. ive done it to my laser a couple times when my alternator went out. (its a 90) i cant really give you the why right off hand especially since the ignition is electronic. ill have to ask around to make sure. but ( i think it runs off a coil pack right? or is it distributer... our aveo my parents own so i dont know off hand) there should be some kind of "redundant" system that allows it.

[zx2guy]

ok i went back and did a little more research. when you push start a manual, you must have at least a little power.> what does this mean> i was wrong, if you have a COMPLETELY dead (and i mean no lights no nothin) you cant push start, however. if you even have a little power (say , lights but no crank, not even enough for a tick) then its still possible. you just need enough for it to hit. now i also hear of people who have gone down hills on completely dead batteries, and they were running by the bottom because it got enough of a charge through the alternator< i do not suggest this though, that is a good way to litterally blow something up.

[04AveoLSPJG5204]

First off, its strange that your battery died just sitting with nothing on. I left the parking lights on accidently when I went to the mall, and 4 hours later as it was getting dark (dont ask why I put them on) and I was walking to the car, I saw they were on. I had a feeling the Aveo wouldnt start, but it cranked right up.

Also, the fact that people with standard transmissions can get their cars started when they have a dead battery by push start is because the force of the road is turning the engine. Think of the way the drivetrain works, but backwards. You have the car key in on, transmission in Neutral, gain momentum (at least 20 to 25 MPH), hold the clutch down and shift to first, then pop the clutch and put it back down. You will notice the engine will start to run, and it was due to the force put on the flywheel. It starts the engine using the transmission. At this point all electrical components come back on, because the alternator is running. Its basically a way to save yourself if it dies. It sucks you cannot do that in an automatic.

[yupper]

this happened to me to. What mind was is I have a hatchback and the little
black lever that you open and close the hatchback with sticks so it was ajar all nite. Dead battery