The situation - friends at our house, 2006 Chevy Cobalt. They start it up to leave, we're talking for a couple more minutes while it runs. They notice the gas gauge is at empty (tank was half full) - they've been having "weird electrical issues" - and smelled a burning smell. Turned the car off and it wouldn't start again.
I checked the battery with a voltmeter, it read 0.8V. A couple minutes later, 0.5V. Disconnected the battery (+ and gnd) and it went up to 3V. Checked resistance from the positive cable and negative cable - 0 ohms. Battery was very hot.
I've tried looking around in the engine bay for an obvious sign of a short, and in the fuse box. The fuses all look OK and I didn't see any obvious melted wires. Most the wires and wire bundles are sheathed in black plastic.
So before they resort to having it towed, any places to look for a short, or any other suggestions?
Thanks.
I checked the battery with a voltmeter, it read 0.8V. A couple minutes later, 0.5V. Disconnected the battery (+ and gnd) and it went up to 3V. Checked resistance from the positive cable and negative cable - 0 ohms. Battery was very hot.
I've tried looking around in the engine bay for an obvious sign of a short, and in the fuse box. The fuses all look OK and I didn't see any obvious melted wires. Most the wires and wire bundles are sheathed in black plastic.
So before they resort to having it towed, any places to look for a short, or any other suggestions?
Thanks.