I recently purchased an 05 Cobalt SS S/C that was in an accident. I have the car put back together except for the factory air cleaner box, which was destroyed in the accident. I tried to start it up, but it would only idle up, run for a second and shut off. I know the mass air flow sensor is not functioning, but would this cause her to do what I am describing? Help would be appreciated.

 

sounds like the theft system is active and not letting the car run, is the theft light on??? not very farmiliar with gm passlock III, but i know thats exactly what passlock II does.

 

thats it right there.. your car doesnt know how much fuel to give it, if it doesnt know how much air its getting

 

Both make sense. I just hope its one or the other, or both, and not something else entirely. Thank you both for your help. Anything else it could be? The car starts, idles kinda rough, and when you press on the gas pedal it doesnt take any gas. Kinda like when a fuel pump is gone.

 

Yea it's the mas air , just get a stock air box as there are alot of people selling them in the classifieds area or just get a CAI.

I take it you bought this from a auction & you have the stock key?

So did you get a good deal on it ?

 

If it was your theft system, trust me, your car wouldn't have started at all.

It's your MAF. It starts up fine but it's main air metering device is damaged and it's not getting a proper signal (if a signal at all) and it dies cause of it.

 

I got a pretty good deal on it, for sure. I do have the stock key, but it was a lot of screwing around to get it. I have an air box on the way for it, so i'm hoping thats what the problem is. I'm going to get a cold air intake, but i don't want to spend the money on that until I get the car fired up and running. thanks for all your help people!