liltrix
This is the fix listed in the Malibu owners manual. Turn ignition on and wait for 10 full minutes until the theft light (which blinks during this time) goes off. Then switch the ignition off and wait one full minute. Then start your engine. It will start right up.
The problem is the anti theft sytem sometimes thinks someone is stealing the car and it shuts off the fuel to the injectors. The dealer fix is very expensive, so if this works for you it may be advisable to use this each time. Good luck.
B707

 

If this is the anti-theft system acting up, you do not have to spend any money. You just follow the steps in your owners manual to get the car to start. It is a pain, but it is a free fix. The point that I don't get is why GM charges for various other fixes when it will not cure the problem. Since the solution is in the manual, they have obviously known about it for some time. Money grab. b707

 

The Passlock relearn procedure, even if it works for the short term, will not fix the root cause. Unless someone messed with the wiring, the Passlock sensor mechanism is usually at fault in which case they'll replace ignition switch and lock cylinder (re-keyed). However, sometimes they'll diagnose the problem to the BCM.

 

having a similar problem with a customers car at present. this is what i can tell you i have eliminated as the problem so far. check all of the fuses in BOTH fuse boxes, the under hood and the interior box that are labeled ;ign,fuel pump;pcm,ecm,. there is a fuel pump relay in the box under the hood . it is labeled on the under side of the cover. have someone turn the key on and then to start with your finger on the relay, you should hesr and feel a" click". listen at the fuel tank filler when you do this and you should hear a wirring sound for anywhere fron 1-2 up to 8 seconds. the more times you turn the key on without going to start modr, the shorter the time span will be that the wirring will happen. now to spark check. if you have an old spark plug, pull one of the wires[twist first to break the bond between the rubber boot and the plug] and connect it to the plug.try to set it on a metel part of the engine and then have someone turn over the engine,ie try to start for about 5-10 seconds. that plug will only fire once for every 2 rotations of the engine look for the spark from the center of the plug[possitive electrod] and the curved end or slanted end attached to the threaded portion of the plug. nif you are 0 for 2 at this point, you may have a anti theft problem. i need more info from you about what lights are on and not on and if they are flashing or not so if you want call me 928-241-2559 jon

 

Our-My car is also 2001 Malibu and it won't start easily and it is a 6 Cylinder.

 

In order to fix this problem as outlined in the 2001 Chevy Malibu service manual sec. 8-447 the ignition key must relearn the passlock system.

30 Minute learn procedure

1. Turn on the ignition, with the engine off.
2. Attempt to start the engine, then release the key to the on position (Vehicle will not start).
3. Observe the security LED light on radio, after 10 minutes the LED light will turn off.
4. Turn off the ignition, and wait 5 seconds.
5. Repete above procedure two more times. (Total time.... 3 X 10 = 30 Minutes)
Now car engine should now start.

Just remember, whenever inserting the key into the ignition switch, the key must be dry.......... wipe off any ice, snow, rain water from key before using it.

 

Try the bypass instructions attached.
I changed fuel pump, and fuse box - nothing worked, until I bypassed the pass-lock theft system crap.

 

GOOD WAY TO BURN DOWN YOUR CAR. NEVER!!!!!! START A CAR WITH OPEN FUEL!!!!

 

I'd do the same to see if I am getting fuel. Disconnect the ignition source with a jar/can, turn on key for 2-3 seconds.

 

I had the 4cyl Olds Alero and it was doing the same thing. Took it into local Chevrolet dealer and was told they weren't gonna waste time on it that there was no fix for it just patches. So I took it to a local private shop and they said they would do what they could for me. Replaced ignition cyl, replaced BCM, and checked everything they could think of. Well needless to say I think the Chevrolet dealer was right because it lasted about 3 months and went right back to what it was doing before I spent the $800.00 in parts and labor. So then I tried the bypass method and wow it worked, or so I thought. 3 to 6 months later same thing started again. I'm begining to think that once this things goes bad it will continue to go bad. My Alero was a 99 and only had 30,000 miles on it when I bought it so I thought how much could be wrong with a car with only 30,000 miles on it? My problems started with 33,000 miles on odometer. Well, now I look at cars completely different, miles don't mean much but years do. Also ya have to figure that this was technology desinged by a company that knew they were gong to go out of buisness, they shouln't have carried this over to the Malibu and Grand Am.