I have a 98 Malibu 6 cylinder. Yesterday, my car ran great all day. I was going out last night and the car would turn over but not start. I also noticed that the gas guage was not working. Could anyone tell me what would cause this?? My boyfriend sprayed some of the starting fluid into my engine and it started, but died again right away.

 

It sounds to me like your fuel pump has stopped working. When you turn the key on can you here a humming noise in the fuel tank?

 

We changed out the fuel pump, but it still wouldn't start and the gas gauge still is not working. My mechanic said that the fuel pump was bad, but when he hooked his computer to my car, the computer said "unable to connect". He now thinks that my computer in my car shorted out as well. Does this sound right??

 

Check the ignition switch. Common problem on the 97-03 Malibus. Mine went out and would crank but some of the gauges wouldn't work or it would die while running and all gauges would go haywire. Does the check engine light come on when you turn the ignition on (not cranking)? If not, I'd bet money on it being the ignition switch.