I have had my 05 Malibu Maxx to the dealer several times and have had no resolution to my problem. I am hoping that someone may have experience the same problem as me or there is a bulletin that the dealer has not told me about.

The car will move all gauges to zero and cruise will shut off at the same time. There is still power to the cluster, as all the warning lights illuminate. Also, it will not start sometimes. Often after a failed attempt using the key the remote start WILL work, but not always. Sometimes it will start after the security system has been put into alarm and then turned off.

Also, what I believe to unrelated, but maybe not, is the seatbelt warning will alarm, even though all seat belts are being worn. This happens at different times than the previous problem, more often, and is not the main concern.

The only information that the dealer has given me, on one occasion, is that of 16 stored codes there were several "Loss of communication with BCM". So why would the tech not check the BCM and the related connections?!?! (That is more of a rant than a question).

So... now after some online research I have found out where the BCM is. Can anybody provide specific pins to check, further insight... or is it the BCM? In now way am I going to hold anybody accountable, looking for advice only.

Thanks in advance!

Scott

 

Welcome to the forum. It sounds like the BCM on yours is afflicted with fretting corrosion. The relevant TSB is #09-06-03-004C - Intermittent No Crank/No Start, No Module Communication, MIL, Warning Lights, Vehicle Messages or DTCs Set by Various Control Modules - Diagnosing and Repairing Fretting Corrosion (Disconnect Affected Connector and Apply Dielectric Lubricant). The issue is pretty well described in GM Techlink article Fretting Corrosion - GM Techlink.

 

This is EXACTLY the type of trouble I suspect. However, I have been very leary of disconnecting any critical harnesses... the more ya f@#$ with the worse they get. I will remove the blocks on the BCM and inspect for fretting, and then treat properly.(Rant: Why didn't the dealer do this already?!? It's only going to take 10 mins tops! :end rant)

Thank you a bunch! I'll let you know of the outcome. I may take a few days to confirm success or failure, but I will let you know.

Thanks again!

Scott



BTW.. this is the first time I have heard the word "fretting", but the article you linked to is a very good description of this problem, and now that I am aware, not the first time I have seen it