# Replacing chevy cobalt engine **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [April 24, 2012, 9:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-chevy-cobalt-engine/72087 "2012-04-24T21:38:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![looneybob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@looneybob](https://community.cartalk.com/u/looneybob)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 9:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-chevy-cobalt-engine/72087/1 "2012-04-24T21:38:36Z")
A few months ago I acquired an’07 Cobalt (vin 1G1AK55F277107005) which had a cracked engine which resulted in the wiring harness being damaged. The car still ran, however. I have been having trouble getting a used replacement engine with the correct wiring harness - after two unsuccessful attempts. The wiring apparently is not interchangeable from one model to another. What are my options? Can I find out what other models (vin nos.) have the same wiring harness? I haven’t been to find anyone to offer any solutions. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 9:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-chevy-cobalt-engine/72087/2 "2012-04-24T21:44:14Z")
Get a replacement engine, and swap the original wiring harness to the new engine, fixing the damage as you go. (I’m assuming this is a repair-only swap and not a “as long as I’m repairing it I may as well make it faster” swap) Two reasons you always want to do this if you can: First, it eliminates a lot of guesswork if the new engine won’t fire - you KNOW the harness is good because it was just working 5 hours ago when you drove the car into the garage. Second, it keeps the connectors the same between the engine and the rest of the car - sometimes manufacturers will go with a different connector in different years, which means the new harness might not mate up to your old car. Swapping harnesses eliminates this. ---
**Author:** ![looneybob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@looneybob](https://community.cartalk.com/u/looneybob)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2012, 1:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-chevy-cobalt-engine/72087/3 "2012-05-03T01:38:02Z")
shadowfax, thanks much. even though the original harness is damaged I can give it a try and if it works, buy a replacement. looneybob ---
**Author:** ![TWKarlish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bb73d2/32.png) [@TWKarlish](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TWKarlish)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2012, 8:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-chevy-cobalt-engine/72087/4 "2012-05-03T20:51:40Z")
The Cobalt had three possible engines, a 2.2 litre, a 2.4 litre, and 2.0 litre turbo. Are you sure that the used engine and harness is an exact match for the one in the car?