My 2001 Malibu LS has developed an odd electrical problem. When I start the car, a slew of electrical items are dead. This includes the electric windows, the sunroof, the electric mirrors, the gas gauge, the temp gauge, cruise control, the automatic headlights (turning them on manually works), and the climate controls. A couple of times the Service Vehicle Soon light has come on but then extinguished.

Initially when this started earlier this week, after 5-10 minutes, everything went to normal and remained on, and would stay on if I shut off the car and then restarted it. Now, it stayed in this state most of an hour long drive, coming back on only at the near end of my trip, and then going back out again.

There is no common fuse that I can tell that runs all those systems, and they’re an odd collection of failures. The speedo and tach are fine, as are the wipers, radio, dome light, and power seats.

Any ideas where to look? Thanks in advance.

 

Do you still have that problem? I understand the behavior you described about your instrument cluster being similar to what happens when you first turn the key. I would remove the covers to see if all of the problem systems are in the same fuse and relay center. If you find a common panel, check to see if it is loose by trying to wiggle the panels. If they move, try tightening the screw(s) in the center. There is one panel under the hood and one on each end of the instrument panel. I hope that helps - if you still need it.