Malibu Another long running GM name, the Malibu has overcome many changes to be one of the top mid size sedans heading into its eight generation.

Chevrolet Malibu
This area is for FWD models 1997 and newer
Platform: N-, Epsilon, Epsilon II.

2001 Malibu Starting Problem

Old April 8th, 2012, 7:39 PM
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Default 2001 Malibu Starting Problem

Friday my daughter called from DQ. The car wouldn't start. The starter worked but the instrument panel wouldn't light up properly and no fuel pump sound. I beat on the dash, turned the key, the dash lit up and the car started immediately. (Anti theft was defeated a year ago by cutting the yellow wire with no problems til now.) One time I turned the key 4 times to run then finally the dash lit up, I heard the pump, then I could start it. One time I slapped the dash and it started next try. Almost 140,000 miles. It's never stopped once it starts. Is it the ignition switch, the computer, a bad connection, or what?
Old April 13th, 2012, 9:21 PM
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yes


ha...hard to say without digging into it theres a loose connection somewhere possibly the ignition switch
Old April 16th, 2012, 12:20 PM
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After I finally removed the switch I checked continuity according to Haynes. It didn't match up but on another forum someone else recorded exactly the same results I got. I decided the Haynes chart was wrong. In the 2001 the switch has to come up and out the instrument panel space. It may have been a loose connection but I decided to just replace it. Same key and cylinder just replaced the switch they mount into. (The infamous anti-theft sensor is in the cylinder not the switch) No problems since Friday afternoon and she's driven a lot.
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