Benheaverley
New member
Interesting issue on a 2012 Sonic LTZ 1.8L
Went to Home Depot with my girlfriend and the kids yesterday. It was 60 degrees and raining outside. They waited in the car (with it running) while I was in the store for about 10 minutes. I came out and windows were fogged, so I ran the front window defroster for about a minute before leaving. Window moisture was almost completely cleared up when we noticed a distinct burning rubber smell. The smell slowly got worse as I noticed the SES light and battery symbol both came on.
Pulled onto the highway and the coolant warning light came on. I pulled over and looked over everything under the hood. Coolant was 1/2” below max line and I saw no leaks present on any hoses. 20 minutes later we drove off.
Coolant light warning came on again. I pulled over and slowly released the coolant cap and filled recovery tank completely with water. Drove about 8 miles home with coolant light intermittently coming on (battery and SES light still on). No loss of power, but the front window defroster was not working. It would not defrost front window moisture and only blew outside temp air out of the vents facing us.
Came home and noticed the 40A Jcase fuse for radiator fan was blown. Added water to max line on recovery tank (1-2 cups). I replaced Jcase fuse with a spare and started engine. Burning rubber smell was still there and radiator fan immediately turned on. SES and battery light still present. After 2 minutes, everything still seemed fine.
Out of nowhere, the ABS light, traction control light and brake light all came on the dash. Engine was not overheating and no coolant light present.
Within 30 seconds all the illumination and dash lights shut off. I manually car off and now it will not start. Clicking sound present when trying to start it, almost like the starter is bad, but I replaced the starter earlier this year and cleaned all ground connections.
Looking near the water pump, and underneath the left motor mount, I can see what looks like shredded rubber pieces. Almost as though something burnt up or shredded in that area. Serpentine belt is still intact and in good shape.
Code 82 present on display screen although I changed oil & filter last week and cleared code.
I am thinking alternator but also leaning toward water pump or some type of pulley failure. Possibly several things failed all at once? Car was running fine before this happened. No coolant leaks found on any hoses or under car.
Thanks in advance.
Went to Home Depot with my girlfriend and the kids yesterday. It was 60 degrees and raining outside. They waited in the car (with it running) while I was in the store for about 10 minutes. I came out and windows were fogged, so I ran the front window defroster for about a minute before leaving. Window moisture was almost completely cleared up when we noticed a distinct burning rubber smell. The smell slowly got worse as I noticed the SES light and battery symbol both came on.
Pulled onto the highway and the coolant warning light came on. I pulled over and looked over everything under the hood. Coolant was 1/2” below max line and I saw no leaks present on any hoses. 20 minutes later we drove off.
Coolant light warning came on again. I pulled over and slowly released the coolant cap and filled recovery tank completely with water. Drove about 8 miles home with coolant light intermittently coming on (battery and SES light still on). No loss of power, but the front window defroster was not working. It would not defrost front window moisture and only blew outside temp air out of the vents facing us.
Came home and noticed the 40A Jcase fuse for radiator fan was blown. Added water to max line on recovery tank (1-2 cups). I replaced Jcase fuse with a spare and started engine. Burning rubber smell was still there and radiator fan immediately turned on. SES and battery light still present. After 2 minutes, everything still seemed fine.
Out of nowhere, the ABS light, traction control light and brake light all came on the dash. Engine was not overheating and no coolant light present.
Within 30 seconds all the illumination and dash lights shut off. I manually car off and now it will not start. Clicking sound present when trying to start it, almost like the starter is bad, but I replaced the starter earlier this year and cleaned all ground connections.
Looking near the water pump, and underneath the left motor mount, I can see what looks like shredded rubber pieces. Almost as though something burnt up or shredded in that area. Serpentine belt is still intact and in good shape.
Code 82 present on display screen although I changed oil & filter last week and cleared code.
I am thinking alternator but also leaning toward water pump or some type of pulley failure. Possibly several things failed all at once? Car was running fine before this happened. No coolant leaks found on any hoses or under car.
Thanks in advance.
