jgilbystl

My daughter just got stranded in her Captiva today same issues as everyone. Unfortunately, she is in Colorado and I am in Missouri. Hoping you can give me an idea of the length each ground cable you made was and did you put ring connectors on each end? Also, if you still have the car, could you also give me an idea of the length that the alternator to + Battery cable would be that another poster has described. Thanks in advance, I'm hoping to build the cables and then mail them to her so a competent friend can hopefully install them for her.

jgilbystl

Are you still running yours with the sensor disconnected? Did you ever notice any issues with it disconnected? Thanks!

jgilbystl

I need to do this for my daughters 2012, just got stranded today. Unfortunately she is in Colorado and I am in Missouri. Can you tell me how long the cable needs to be and what connectors did you use on each end please? I am hoping to make up the cable and mail it to her so she can have it installed for a reasonable price. Thanks in advance, she has to use her car for work and I am really hoping this will resolve her issues along with adding the additional ground cable suggested further down this thread.

shuvl

Here is a parts list for my fix. All of this can be purchased from one of the big box stores. Amazon delivery just happened to work best for me.




Note: If you are planning to run a third cable from the alternator (+) over to the battery (+) positive, it is best to use a in line fuse setup that matches your alternator voltage. General rule of thumb there is the fuse needs to be placed within one (1) foot of the battery. This helps prevent the cable from arching and causing a fire in the event you are in a collision. This step wasn't necessary for my fix.

I am traveling this week and will get you the lengths as soon as I return.

Hope this helps to fix your issues. It has worked for me.

Shuvl

Mike San

The battery that I had was not the factory one, replace the battery by the one from the dealership and solve the issue. I haven't had it back since then (6 months).

Thimpz

Hi guys, my father in law has a captiva from 2012, he got a new battery not so long ago because the car wouldn't start otherwise. Today it was "flat" again.
I read that someone had disconnected the electrical power management system and I wonder if the sensor is located on the negative cable or the positive cable. I believe it's the negative cable (according to The bulletin below) but can someone clarify? Otherwise i Will notice when i'm at the car.
I will disconnect the sensor asap because that usually is a weak point that causes some of these issues. When the sensor is disconnected the alternator will produce a constant current of around 14.3-14.4v instead of "peak" the current around 15v and then "drain" the battery until it needs to be charged again. This is the standard behaviour of the systems i have seen this far and should be the same here. For comparison ford's system is called "smart charge" and is connected to The negative cable, bmw uses the "i.b.s"(intelligent battery sensor) which was connected to the positive on the older 5 series i had.
​The point is that i'd rather have a system that is constantly charging when the engine is running, and that won't let the starter run because there's a system that believes the battery is drained, even though it is in good condition.

Google this service bulletin btw. Sb-10052499-4154

Roman Suslo

Guys, who knows where you can buy such a part for a car ? - https://tinyurl.com/yawtpo27
I would be grateful for advice.

John Gaarg

Do you think, that amazon is the best place? I think there are better places to buy car spare parts in internet or even in shop.

Ariel Waleski

I have a 2012 Chevy captiva that I bought used 8 months ago. Since I've had it I've had stalling issues which ended up being solenois. Now that problem stopped I've got the not starting issue. Randomly the car won't start and the key gets locked in the ignition. Acts like a dead battery except you pop the hood and literally touch either side of the battery terminal with a wrench (not tightening anything just touching) and the car starts right up... I love my car but this is getting annoying, anyone have an actual fix for it?

trillobite

Man, I have been reading about some strange electrical issues with the Captivas... and that has to be one of the strangest... Do you have a short in the wiring leading up to the battery? Corrosion on the terminals, tried cleaning? Maybe it actually is the battery, i have heard of whole cells dropping to the bottom, and creating a short.

Key stuck in ignition, and won't start is a real symptom that you are not getting any power to the ignition switch. I would say your problem could be anywhere between the battery (including the battery) all the way to the ignition switch.

Btw, I would create a new thread for your issue, so we don't hijack the thread.