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
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03 malibu cold start prob. ignition switch?

Old Nov 5, 2013 | 10:26 PM
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Default 03 malibu cold start prob. ignition switch?

I'm having problems starting my car in the early mornings. What happens is I turn the key, all of the dash lights up and gauges set and the engine does not turn over. Tested the battery and alternator, seems to be no problem. Jumping the car seems to help though. I can also wiggle the key in and out to start but the colder it is the harder I have to push(all jokes aside). Anyone have some insight as to where the problem is?
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Old Nov 6, 2013 | 10:20 PM
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If jumping car helps I'd think about battery. The hardest output times for a battery is when it's cold. Check positive and negative cables for being secure.
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Old Nov 7, 2013 | 9:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Tech
If jumping car helps I'd think about battery. The hardest output times for a battery is when it's cold. Check positive and negative cables for being secure.
That's what I thought too. I cleaned the terminals off and still having trouble. I really think it's something in the ignition since I can wiggle the key and it starts right up. I don't even jump it anymore now that I've found that this works. I'll clean the terminals again just to be sure of it.
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Old Nov 8, 2013 | 11:49 PM
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Cleaned terminals with a wire brush last night. Still just getting dashboard lights until I force the key in.
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Old Nov 9, 2013 | 11:24 AM
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Ignition switch problem or ignition lock cylinder problem? Forcing key in is a problem with ignition lock cylinder. If you have to wiggle key to start it up and get key to turn I'd say go after ignition cylinder first. The ignition lock cylinder will have to be coded to your key cut code too so you may want to have a locksmith or dealer handle it unless you're confident.
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Old Nov 14, 2013 | 10:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Tech
Ignition switch problem or ignition lock cylinder problem? Forcing key in is a problem with ignition lock cylinder. If you have to wiggle key to start it up and get key to turn I'd say go after ignition cylinder first. The ignition lock cylinder will have to be coded to your key cut code too so you may want to have a locksmith or dealer handle it unless you're confident.
Once I have the key in and turned I then have to push it in further to get a good connection. So you think ignition lock cylinder?
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Old Nov 15, 2013 | 12:09 AM
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I have a 2001 Chevy Lumina that will not start. can you help...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]-->
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Old Nov 15, 2013 | 6:59 PM
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Originally Posted by harry2
I have a 2001 Chevy Lumina that will not start. can you help...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]-->
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