Chevrolet Malibu Owners: Problems & Solutions

[GMR]

Bobby wrote:

I have a 2004 Malibu - I filled up my tank yesterday (with the same gas I always use) and this morning the gas gauge keeps going up and down, showing low fuel for a few seconds (with the gas light coming on and the bell reminder), then popping back up to the full mark. It also indicates low fuel on the mileage availability setting (on the stereo panel) periodically. I am still able to drive but this happens every 2 minutes or so, whether I am driving or idling. I checked the gas cap and it is in properly and I have tried re-starting with the same results. Any thoughts?

Most probable cause is a bad wiring joint; typically at the gas tank sender unit where the salt spray gets it. Simply unplug, clean, coat with dielectric silicone grease and reconnect. After that next try it's easiest to try grounding the wire at tank end and see if the gauge goes to one extreme or the other. If it does check under dash; if it doesnt you are into dropping the fuel tank and checking the sender unit; could be just a plugged ` sock' filter but it still means dropping the tank.

[Wenis]

Bobby, it sounds like the sending unit in the tank may have went bad. But, GM has had lots of instrument cluster problems on many models. You may want to check with the dealers before you start throwing more parts. Oh, the sock in the tank, that has nothing to do with your issue.(SOCK)it's simply and small filter that hangs off the bottom of the sending unit. Really not it!

[javier]

I have a malibu 1999 and the problem that iam having is the trunk does not stay open one of the rods broke I bougth a new one but I can figure out how to put it on. please help anyone out there

[danny]

Karen wrote:

My 2004 Malibu LS continues to blow fuses for the turn signals and the horn. Love the car but I am tired of replacing the fuses.
Also, the steering column has a clicking noise in it when turning sharp as if the brakes are bad. Dealership hears the noise can't find any thing wrong. Electrical system must be bad on these cars. My daughter also has the same model and has the same problem.

not sure of the electrical prob but the clicking noise when you turn sharp might be loose bolts on the steering sector. they might have loosened up. mine did and it took out the whole steering sector and had to replace the entire unit. use lock tight on the threads and check that the frame hasnt torn where the steering sector bolts to the frame.

[danny]

Jim wrote:

My steering unit failed early on in my 2004 Malibu and now it clunks when you turn, the dealer said GM knows its an issue but has no solutions. Does anyone's have the same issue with their Malibu?

the bolts loosened up on the rack and pinion steering the drivers side nut is probably missing by now. when you replace the nuts use locktight on the bolts and make sure the frame isnt torn out where the rack bolts to the frame.

[Jean-Claude B]

Hey guys!
Some electrical devices in my '01 Malibu seem to have a mind on their own.
-The most problematic and dangerous is that my engine temperature gauge works whenever it feels like it.
-The automatic door lock works different ways periodically. Sometimes it locks when you put the car in gear and unlocks when you put it on park, but sometimes it only locks and doesn't unlock or vice-versa.
-The right side exterior rear-view mirror moves by itself sometimes.
-Sometimes the car honks seconds after I have turned it off and locked the doors.

Anybody knows about a recall on any of these things?

[ROB]

Shannon wrote:

<quoted text>
I too have had all these problems w/ my malibu. And it was our right rear light. On my car it ended up being that the rubber gasket cracked allowing water to reach the back of the connector. Did not see no rust or anything. Was told we need to replace the whole tail light unit.
Question? Have you had the theft system light go on yet...WHILE driving?

The PDF is here http://www.imcool.com/articles/aircondition/A...

[ROB]

V_A_D2008 wrote:

I bought a 2004 Malibu and one day my cd player stopped working and now says lock, although i did nothing to it... It has my fav. cd stuck in it but when i press eject is says no disc... HOw can I get this fixed without having to buy a new cd player or taking it to the dealer and spending 80 bucks? Someone please help me

You need to get the unlock code from the dealer. Your battery was disconnected, and it thinks it got stolen. You'll have to give your VIN number, but this can be done over the phone.

[BLAH]

CAN YOU SAY JUNK?? I WORK AT A CAR DEALERSHIP AND SEE THE PRICE'S ALL THESE MALIBU & IMPALA OWNERS HAVE TO PAY FOR SERVICE AND 80% OF THE VEHICLES WE HAVE ARE EITHER A MALIBU OR IMPALA. I'D RATHER RIDE A BICYCLE THEN DRIVE EITHER A MALIBU OR IMPALA.

[Maliboo]

Grabage. Wish I never purchased one. POS on wheels. Thanks GM.

[Maliboo]

"Garbage"

[Jake the toyota tech]

Robert wrote:

My '04 Maxx has had the rotors turned for a 4th time in 65,000 miles. Chevy dealer and Chevy customer service line offer no solutions, only double-talk.
Brakes will pulsate in another 5,000 miles, guaranteed, and they'll turn the rotors again.
Enough is enough--it's recall time Chevrolet

i usually turn rotors once MAYBE twice but each time they get thinner from being cut. if they warped once at full thickness they will usually warp again and in less time. After 1 or 2 times on the lathe rotors should be discarded. the thinner the metal plate the easier it is to bend

[Jake the toyota tech]

04 malibu heating wrote:

the last 2 days my heater doesn't seem to be heating up
the heater blows for about 5-10 seconds but doesnt' stay on
the thermostat seems normal - sits in the middle
any help?
its 25 degrees outside and I'm freezin

blower motor resistor or bad motor check voltage to motor

[Ally]

I turned my car on the other day and noticed that my fuel gauge wasn't registering at all. I also noticed that the gauge next to it isn't working either, I'm pretty sure it's the temperature gauge. At the same time I noticed that when I turn my car off and take the key out my lcd and radio do not go off. I even opened my door, which generally shuts it off, that doesn't do it either. It seems to stay on.
Can anyone tell me what's wrong with my car? Two people I talked to think it's a broken relay inside, but I have no idea what relay and where to look. Please help me, I need to fix it fast.

[Wenis]

Um, what kind of car?

[Ally]

its a 2002 chevy malibu

[Wenis]

Ally,
When there are multiple gauge problems it's usually caused by an instrument cluster issues, like electrical connections. I'm seeing smaller GM cars with similar problems like the Cavilers for example. GM says to replace the complete cluster; I think it’s got more to do with the body control module loosing its memory settings then the cluster going bad.
I’ve seen on here many times where it happens when replacing a battery or removing a fuse, seems coincidental don’t it?

General Motors also says problems with just the sending unit are a "result of the corrosive effect of certain fuel blends on the contact surfaces of the fuel tank sender” meaning it’s corroding the electrical portion of the sending unit itself. You may have to have it looked, it’s more of a hands on touchy feely kind of fix.

Good Luck

[gmr]

Wenis wrote:

Ally,
When there are multiple gauge problems it's usually caused by an instrument cluster issues, like electrical connections. I'm seeing smaller GM cars with similar problems like the Cavilers for example. GM says to replace the complete cluster; I think it&#8217;s got more to do with the body control module loosing its memory settings then the cluster going bad.
I&#8217;ve seen on here many times where it happens when replacing a battery or removing a fuse, seems coincidental don&#8217;t it?
General Motors also says problems with just the sending unit are a "result of the corrosive effect of certain fuel blends on the contact surfaces of the fuel tank sender&#8221; meaning it&#8217;s corroding the electrical portion of the sending unit itself. You may have to have it looked, it&#8217;s more of a hands on touchy feely kind of fix.
Good Luck

Wenis, the wife just got a used Subaru Forester and I noticed that the fuel sender is removable through the floor ! No dropping gas tank. The fuel pump is external; even simpler servicing.
My fuel pump went on the Malibu and I paid $1,000 when the service costs were included.
When will GM designers think of servicing their products ?
Apropo your earlier comments about PEs; they should be forced to service their designs in the real world for one year. Just changed sister's battery on her Chrysler Siebring; jack up car; remove front right wheel; remove fender plastic liners; change battery then re-assemble every thing. I would give that designer 2 years replacing batteries !
( Changed my 1936 Morris 8 differential through a hatch in the ,wooden, floor.)

[gmr]

Oops; Try front left wheel, not right; I plead a senors moment.

[Just helping]

Joe K wrote:

<quoted text>
I know your pain Mario. I have a less serious but annoying problem with my '99 Malibu of the constant clicking sound of the hazard switch. I thought that unplugging the hazard switch to stop the clicking noise would fix the problem, but it turns out doing that completely shuts off my car's turn signals!!! What kind of stupid engineering is that by GM? I wouldn't mind not hearing any turn signal noise, but I NEED my freakin turn signals! And I have also been told that the fix is to replace the multifunction switch, which is +$300. I don't have the money to fix a ridiculous problem that seems to be nothing more than a money racket, so I'll just have to live with the clicking sound. I will never again get a GM car unless I get one free... even then I will have to think about it...

go to pepboys for $70. you can buy the combo switch then lower the steering down and pop the top cover with a flat screw driver and pull off the switch has 1 bolt on the top & 3 wire connectors this will stop the clicking you do not need a phd to fix it