I inherited a 2001 Malibu with 25,000 miles about a year ago and has always run great. Recently, it would not start however. After searching the web seemed to show the classic passlock symptoms but wouldn't respond to the fixes. When I turn the key, nothing on the dash lights up except for the theft light. However, after fooling around a bit, it seems when I turn the key form the acc to on position more aggressively, everything lights up and it starts fine. Any ideas of the cause of this? Is this a repair only a dealer could perform? Thanks.

 

Does using another key make a difference? You may have to remove the switch to test for intermit operation.

 

Works the same for both keys. It's really not that difficult to start. If I turn it straight to the on position nothing lights up but the theft light. If I turn it back to acc and then quickly to on everything lights up and it starts.

 

Yes i would say intermit switch. Look at the wiring starting diagram to verify.
Eventually will not start at all, so best to fix will still intermit.