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2012 Chevy Cruze is going Crazy

6961 Views 8 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  cruze.control
Hi Guys,

I bought a brand new 2012 cruze in February 2012. Saved a long time to get it and was so proud of myself. Anyway- in November of last year, I started having issues with it- not starting, constantly needing a jump- etc. Yet every time I would take it to get checked out, everything would come back fine. So frustrating!

Eventually the problems resolved on their own- i didn't have to buy a new battery or anything. However, now it's happening again. For three days in a row, my car hasn't started. When I turn it on, I check the battery voltage- always around 10 or 11. I keep getting 'service theft deterrent system' and 'service stabilitrack' signals on my dashboard, and when i put my foot on the gas, everything shuts off completely. Today I decided not to have it jumped, but to take it to the dealership to have it looked at while it's not working in hopes they'll figure something out- but do you guys have any idea what this could be? I work really hard for my money, I'm a single mom and the last thing I need is to spend money on a million 'diagnostic tests' that come back fine. I bought that car because of the issues I had with used cars in the past- now I feel like I'm spending more money on this than anything else! I'm so upset and I feel like I've wasted my money. This car has given me problems from month one.
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there is a recall on the negative battery cable,call the dealer and give them your vin# and they can see if it has ever been replaced on the recall,this could be part of the problem
also you need a new battery, 11 or 12 volts is no good, it should be 14.2 volts
good luck
Sounds like a loose or bad ground/power cable. Being a 2012, there have been quite a few people with weak batteries that have needed replacement, I replaced my battery in my 2012 over 2 years ago. If you live in a very hot environment batteries can easily need replacement every couple of years, I replace mine every 4-5 years before I ever experience any problems that could leave me stranded.
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11 or 12 volts is no good, it should be 14.2 volts
It won't be that high after turning on the car but before starting the engine. I'd expect 12 something. 11 is too low. With engine running, you should see at least 13 something (but right after a start it will be closer to 14).

But yes, a bad battery can be flaky. Not all testers can spot a battery that's gone flaky.
Go to the dealer and have do the negative battery recall. Don't take no for an answer. Then get a new battery. I think they should give you a new battery because of the recall. This only doing it if it becomes a problem stance from GM is a bunch of crap. They want you to wait till you are stranded to have a problem fixed. No one can tell what it does to the electronics if your negative cable is not connected properly. Voltages can do a lot of weird crap especially in computers and electronics.
I also have a 2012 Cruze and this morning the dash lit up and I got the Stabiltrac and Traction Control need service warnings. I also got the warning that the engine was operating under reduced power. (Great timing, I was merging onto the Interstate.) Is traction Control and Stabilitrac part of the powertrain warranty?
I also have a 2012 Cruze and this morning the dash lit up and I got the Stabiltrac and Traction Control need service warnings. I also got the warning that the engine was operating under reduced power. (Great timing, I was merging onto the Interstate.) Is traction Control and Stabilitrac part of the powertrain warranty?
Follow the link in post #4 above. This is the classic symptoms of the Negative Battery Cable not doing it's job. This is a special coverage so there shouldn't be any charge.
also, all the "service" lights. its a result of the low voltage that the cars getting. theres nothing actually to service
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