Not starting two fuses not getting power ?

2008 CHEVROLET COBALT
139,455 MILES • 2.2L • MANUAL
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AZDANNO04
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Checked fuses underneath hood and found two fuses not getting power both are 20amp fuses and labeled IP IGN & PCM/ECM. I loosened the five 7mm bolts that fastened the fuse box down to the bottom portion. Separated the top portion where fuses are and took apart the boxes to check the pins that the metal blades go through the top. Used a paper clip but found a flat head screw driver to use. Doing that helped get contact with the fuse IP IGN but didn’t work for the PCM/ECM fuse. Figured I have to trace that wire where its broken.
Aug 29, 2026 at 7:42 PM
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AZDANNO04
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I charged the battery and checked the voltage and read 12.7 put the battery in and tried starting the car. The second time prior I was working on the fuse box and got power to the IP IGN the car was cranking and the fuel gauge was working and full. Now its not cranking and the fuel gauge says empty. I guess I will go back to the fuse box take it apart and go over the areas again. I know its in that area but could be the wire that I need to trace that goes to the fuse for the PCM/ECM since that would cause the no crank or start
Aug 29, 2026 at 9:03 PM
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AZDANNO04
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I checked the fuse for the PCM/ECM and its getting power. When I put the key on secondary the on position. That occurred when I unplugged the power train and pushed it in and kept pressure on it. Had a friend hold pressure while I tried starting the car. The fuel gauge worked but still no cranking. The fuel pump primed but only once. I did see a new message across the dash Engine Disabled that’s a new one and also said Eng Power Reduced. The plug that’s at the very bottom of the image that plugs in sideways
Aug 29, 2026 at 10:09 PM
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STRAILER
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Since moving or working with the fuse block previously restored the IP IGN circuit and allowed the engine to crank, inspect the underside terminals, bus connections and connectors at the fuse block very carefully. Look for burned or discolored terminals, corrosion, terminals that have spread or lost tension, or a terminal that has pushed downward out of the connector.

I would stop using a screwdriver or paper clip to spread the fuse terminals. If a terminal has poor tension, spreading it may temporarily restore contact but can damage it further or create another intermittent connection.

From What I see in the video I would check the battery condition and the cable connections, please go over this guide it should help.

https://2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked/

Also, I would swap out the pwr/trn relay in the fuse panel under the hood. Let me know


Aug 31, 2026 at 9:43 AM
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AZDANNO04
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Which relay?
Sep 2, 2026 at 4:07 PM
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STRAILER
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The pwr/trn relay in the fuse panel under the hood.
Sep 3, 2026 at 8:09 AM
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AZDANNO04
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Going to get me a relay tester and that short circuit tracer
Sep 3, 2026 at 10:01 AM
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STRAILER
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Perfect, that should tell us something about the problem.
Sep 5, 2026 at 7:51 AM
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AZDANNO04
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Waiting for relay tester and cable wire tracer tool to arrive. Going to take battery down to get charged and to make sure battery is good.
Sep 8, 2026 at 8:49 AM
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STRAILER
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Yes, great idea. this should help us see what the problem is.
Sep 8, 2026 at 9:25 AM
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AZDANNO04
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Yup battery was no good took charge but not giving cold cranking amps of 600 only 300 connected battery tried starting but no cranking going to have someone hold that plug to the ecm while I try starting it because the engine power reduced message is gone and so is engine disabled message is gone.
Sep 8, 2026 at 6:47 PM
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AZDANNO04
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Still have power steering message and airbag safety check message but has started before with those on before but will follow up when I get another set of hands to push that plug in while I try turning the key.
Sep 8, 2026 at 6:48 PM
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STRAILER
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Sounds good. The steering and air bag issue are separate so please make new threads.
Sep 10, 2026 at 8:37 AM
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AZDANNO04
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Sure enough its the Engine Control Module Connectors the X1 and X2 connectors have to be fully pressed in back of plug but that doesn’t keep them in place. Any vibrations or bumps will lose contact real quick. Wrapping it or anything else to criss cross tie to hold it against
Sep 10, 2026 at 11:53 AM
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STRAILER
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Good find, glad you got it fixed. Have a good weekend!
Sep 11, 2026 at 7:40 AM
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