Any ideas as to what maybe wrong with a 2002 Malibu
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CF Beginner
Joined: Jun 2011
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Any ideas as to what maybe wrong with a 2002 Malibu
I have a 2002 Malibu w/less than 40,000 miles on it.
On 5/8 drove out of town and while we were stopped at a shopping mall we were sitting in the car with it running and it stopped. We started it again and it was fine. Went shopping for about 2 hours and then when we got in to go home it would not start. Tried it again, still nothing, on the third time it was fine. It worked for about a week or two, but didn't do much driving during that time.
While driving back home from the store about 2 weeks later the power locks (which automatically lock when the car is put into gear) clicked open and the car began to lose power, turned the key again and it worked for a few minutes (locks re-locked) then it did it again. Happened a total of three times. Got it home with my fingers crossed.
After I got it in my driveway, I tried to start it a few times and had another person start it too and nothing. A third person tried and it worked.
This has happened a few times. Took it to a Chevrolet Dealer and they said at first it was the fuel pump since it lost power. Then when it wouldn't start after that they said it was the crank shaft which needed to be adjusted. It worked fine for about a week and it did it again.
Any ideas, it sounds like it is a short in the electrical system, but I don't know.
On 5/8 drove out of town and while we were stopped at a shopping mall we were sitting in the car with it running and it stopped. We started it again and it was fine. Went shopping for about 2 hours and then when we got in to go home it would not start. Tried it again, still nothing, on the third time it was fine. It worked for about a week or two, but didn't do much driving during that time.
While driving back home from the store about 2 weeks later the power locks (which automatically lock when the car is put into gear) clicked open and the car began to lose power, turned the key again and it worked for a few minutes (locks re-locked) then it did it again. Happened a total of three times. Got it home with my fingers crossed.
After I got it in my driveway, I tried to start it a few times and had another person start it too and nothing. A third person tried and it worked.
This has happened a few times. Took it to a Chevrolet Dealer and they said at first it was the fuel pump since it lost power. Then when it wouldn't start after that they said it was the crank shaft which needed to be adjusted. It worked fine for about a week and it did it again.
Any ideas, it sounds like it is a short in the electrical system, but I don't know.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2011
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Welcome to the forum.
Maybe you got a tank of stale gas? Are you by any chance on the same tank of gas from 05/08? Have you tried some fuel system cleaners like Chevron Techron or Shell V-Power? Also, since you seem to drive much less than average, you want to keep the tank topped off with name brand gas. That way minimizes the chance of deposits in the fuel system, especially clogged fuel injectors. The worst thing you can do is to keep 1/4 tank of gas or less most of the time.
Maybe you got a tank of stale gas? Are you by any chance on the same tank of gas from 05/08? Have you tried some fuel system cleaners like Chevron Techron or Shell V-Power? Also, since you seem to drive much less than average, you want to keep the tank topped off with name brand gas. That way minimizes the chance of deposits in the fuel system, especially clogged fuel injectors. The worst thing you can do is to keep 1/4 tank of gas or less most of the time.
CF Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 63
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
Ignition switch is a good place to start. check all major wire connections too, like the starter, and alternator. as the dealer said it could be the crankshaft sensor, but there are no adjustments, you replace them. Hopefully, that's not the problem.
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