Greetings fellow Cobalt drivers, I have recently purchased an 07 Cobalt SS with 180000 kilometres on it. This is my "3rd" vehicle if you can even count the other 2 (I'd prefer not to, they were automatic Pontiacs) and well, this is my first standard transmission vehicle! So I'd prefer to say this is my first time 'learning' how to drive, if you get my gist.


I'm completely new to mechanics, however. Until a month ago, I didn't even know how to change a tire LOL

The vehicle is in great shape (knock on wood) it requires a bit of maintenance though. I'm about to do my first oil change unassisted, I will then be doing the front sway bar links and replacing the spark plugs. I could use help with the electrical wiring, the power doors don't lock and the sunroof is inoperable. I was told the owner prior to the one I bought the vehicle from removed a car starter and messed up the wiring. So my question is, (well, probably the first of many LOOL!)


Is there a go to section or a handy manual I can view to see how to diagnose and/or fix the problems?

 

Welcome fellow Canuck! Is it the 2.4 SS or the Supercharged?

It's not overly difficult to learn manual, in fact there are threads about it for the basics, and upgraded clutch packs. After you sense timing between engaging/disengaging the clutch and the gas pedal, it becomes second nature. It's also never too late to learn basic car maintenance as mechanic shops (at least around here) have been stupid busy from the COVID issues that locked everything down for a few months; with the bonus of saving some cash. There are a lot of Cobalt repair videos as well (here's yours for your end links) to do quite of bit of DIY.


As for the electrical, I would start with looking at your fuses (locations here and here, here are the rest of the results) and just see if any of them are burnt.

Also, this site's search isn't that great. Use DDG or Google and type: site:cobaltss.net + "your question here" should net you better results.

 

Outside of the electrical systems, these cars are very simple to work on. I learned to drive stick and how to wrench on cars with my Cobalt SS. A service manual can go a long way, but there's also a wealth of knowledge stored on this site and across the internet.

I google things on every site that I use like ProfDNS pointed out (i.e. "f23 lsj site:cobaltss.net" or "mk4 seats in mk2 site:forums.vwvortex.com"). You sometimes have to sort through a ton of crap and/or search the right terms, but generally, everything is on YouTube, as well.