Hey ya'll. Been a few years. Get a Cobalt again, that I've been driving for a while now. Not a nice LNF, but base model sedan, faded maroon, clear coat peeling, drab grey interior. Looks like every other used-ta-be-a-rental Cobalt out there. Mine has some serious water leaks in the trunk and that has caused some damage. Next to the battery, under the trunk latch, there is a plug with two large red wires going to it, and a red "something" that plugs into it. Used to plug into it. Well, that red "something" has rotted out and I could't begin to guess what it is. I'm thinking fuse or circuit breaker. It's pretty big whatever. The car will not start, OBD does not connect to ECU, remotes doesn't work, and the DIC has the dreaded "POWER STEERING" showing. I'm thinking that whatever used to plug into that plug is the culprit, but I have no idea what to ask the auto parts guy for.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

I'm 90% sure you're correct with it being a fuse, but I'm surprised the DIC is showing POWER STEERING. I thought that fuse was the main fuse for the battery, I can take a look tomorrow (if I remember) to see what amp the fuse is.

Also if you want a Victory Red LNF mine is up for sale.

 

Thanks Eric. It's a big darn thing. I just need to know what to ask the auto parts store guy for when I call him.

Any hey, if I were in the market for an LNF yours would still be the one I would buy. But I have to sell this first:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/756408972450776/
Hope you're doing well. Been a while, hey?

 

I guess facebook posts are banned? Interesting.

 

It has been a while, I've been doing pretty good. Finally got something larger (VW Touareg) and have a 280zx for a fun car so it was time for the cobalt to go up for sale. I can only assume the picture was the vette, and can understand the reason you wouldn't be getting rid of that. I'm sure FB is weird about cross-posting or it's a privacy setting you have.

 

Its a old school 50amp maxifuse. Its the main power for the body control module, i am also surprised anything pops up on the dash lol. If the terminals for the fuse assembly is rough id get a holder kit that has wires off each end or has spots to have wire crimped on or bolted on, usually can be found with the audio system stuff. Its a 5 gauge cable. there is a plug right next to the fuse holder, ive seen both like you describe, corroded, melted, or just generally unrecognizable.

 

@Kolt got it. thanks for the suggestion. I cleaned the holder, shoved a new 50 amp Maxi in there and the car started. Then I fixed it so that it wouldn't happen again, and by that I do not mean bought a new trunk lid seal. LOL, no. I drilled two holes in the floor of the trunk and wire tied the fuse holder up high where it won't be in any water. Thanks guys!

Eric, the car in my profile was a few cars ago. I'm on a C6Z06 now which is for sale. I messaged you on Facebook in case you forgot me.

 

it seems like those either corrode from no protection, just general moisture and battery acid fumes, or the connection is too loose for the current it supplies. I disassembled and crimped both my ls and ss terminals on that holder a long ass time ago and they have been good so far. I cant remember where i used to get a speaker amp fuse holder from since its been so long but there was one at a time that had the maxi fuse, a clear cover that could be taken apart, and it had a bolt on spot on each end for a copper crimp terminal. Used to get it all the time when they came in. Alot of people had their batteries changed with wrong ones that didnt use the vent so they corroded then melted to a glob

 

It's a 50amp fuse. Goto wrecker and get a bunch with the socket if urs is damaged. I grabbed like 7 of them yesterday

 

50 amp fuse, car won’t run without it.