I live on Guam, a small U.S territory island down in Pacific. I bought 2000 Chevy Malibu V6 3.1 from a family friend who is himself fixing the cars for living. What I know about it before the problems appeared is that the car idled for years. Considering the fact that our island atmosphere is humidity.

About three weeks or a month ago I purchased the car, everything was great till two weeks ago. The engine seemed getting rougher and rougher. Maybe once or twice, I started but the car died. I started a little bit harder, then it was good to go. I think about that time the services soon and check engine light came on. I Last two Tuesday, I drove the car maybe 1 or 2 miles from my house and suddenly the engine felt like it's going to die. I kept running it for 2 miles more till it became worse and I decided to park it in a safe location. It won't start again. I called the towing truck to tow it to the naval hospital autoport.

Fast forward. What the autoport mechanics fixed: drained out the fuel to remove the water in the gas tank. Replaced one of three ignition coils. Replaced the fuel line ( attached to the engine from above), air filter and fuel filter. They also changed the oil. They Checked the fuel pump and it was still good. They recommended I replace the air control valve which I have yet to replace. I was told to use the gas cleaner can and avoid the water standing on roads. I was Also told to shift to neutral if the engine becomes rough. It happened sometimes. I picked the car up last Saturday. Later that day the check engine light came on. I took it to my friend and have it checked. The code read "navigational system malfunction". My friend turned it off and told me that it's just the emission issue since Guam does not have the emission testing. We also discovered that there were the dirty around the gas cap. We thought it was as if somebody splashed the dirt from ground into the gas cap. Can't tell if there is actually the dirt or something inside tank and going up to the engine.
It was good till last Thursday the check engine light came on. I decided I will wait till tomorrow and have it checked. Next day, we were in the typhoon zone which brought the hard rains and winds to our island. I drove the car through a couple of the flooded roads which gave a pretty good size of water splashed on the car. I cannot remember if the engine was getting worse. I parked it at work and went to work. My lunch break came and I took the car to the bank and grab the lunch. I think the engine was not running smooth. I drove the car through maybe one splash. I then drove it for a mile then it was sputtering. I parked it in the store complex parking lot and went to get the lunch. I came back and started it. It didn't start. My boss came and got me. I came back to the car maybe 2 hours later and was going to tow the car. I decided to give it a try and it started! My friend looked inside the engine and found that the exterior dash was wet due to the splashes front road. I texted my friend me he thought it's something with the electrical being wet. I checked the flooring under interior dash and it was a little damp. I brought the car to the workplace and I was told to open the doors and let the nature dry inside the car. I did.

I drove the car after I got off and for the first 2 or 3 miles, the engine was getting worse and worse and the check engine light blinked a couple of times. I tried to keep it running as long as I can to be close to my house. It died while waiting for the green light. My bro in law and I came to check the car next day. My bro in law said it was like there is no gas going in the engine. I filled the tank last Friday. He said he thinks the fuel filter and fuel injection are clogged. Something with ignition. I had my friend came and tested car. He read the forum that it might be anti theft issue. He turned the key to ON position and waited 10 minutes. It won't start. The engine did the same thing as the previous day. My friend went to hear the fuel pump when I turned the key to ON. He said he didn't hear the flow sound. He thinks there is something with the electrical, not fuel issue.

What I think is it might be the electrical issue. I will check the fuel filter to see if it is dirty. We will try the anti theft trick we learned from the forum. I will also ask To check the modules.

So now my story is finished. Any suggestion? Every suggestion will be greatly appreciated. Thank you. C from Guam

 

As you said that, the check engine lights blinking couple of times, a blinking check engine light is the warning of an engine misfire that can cause damage to the catalytic converter, that means unburnt fuel is getting down the exhaust stream and could cause the converter to heat up and melt or fuse together. If the check engine light is blinking then don't drive your vehicle until the issues fixed, it can cause huge damage.