I Need Help!!!!

[Buttmonkey130]

I have a 2001 Chevy Malibu. I'm about to drive this car off the road. It's been about 1 year since I bought it from a used car dealship. The first few months were fine. Then winter started and I had nothing but problems last year. Every morning ( when it was very cold) the car just would not start. I changed the battary that didn't work. Did just about everything. Then one morning while I was trying to start the car, I started playing with the radio and the A.C. buttons. Then boom the car started fine. Then every time I had problems in the morning that would work. The problem seemed to fade as the weather started getting hotter in the mornings. I had no problems all this year until two weeks ago. The mornings again are starting to get colder and the car is acting up again. I've taken it to repair shops and they all said it is a number of different things. Nothing is making sense. I Really Need help.

[wymi]

Describe "just would not start", would the engine crank & not start, or no crank at all?

[Buttmonkey130]

Originally Posted by wymi

Describe "just would not start", would the engine crank & not start, or no crank at all?

It makes a clicking noise and just will not turn over.

[bearcatdon]

Originally Posted by Buttmonkey130

I changed the battary that didn't work. Did just about everything. Then one morning while I was trying to start the car, I started playing with the radio and the A.C. buttons. Then boom the car started fine.

With a new battery and your solonoid clicking (showing good connection), your starter needs to be replaced. First sign of a starter on its last leg is it not wanting to start when cold. You just got lucky with the A/C button.

[mrgrumpy]

2001 Malibu....

Nothing but problems.... smart advice... get rid of it while you can. I bought mine new with 10 miles on it. I now have just over 72000 miles on it. I have replaced:
I am on my third set of brake calipers (total approx $1000)
ignition switch ( just under $500)
fuel pump (just over $500)
now, over heating, rough idle, not starting (turning over fine, just not firing, then when it does, have to run at high idle until it settles out), all gauges just doing what they want when they want, and ......

I find out I am not the only one. GM says the Dexcool is good for 7 yrs or 150,000 miles. Don't try it.....

My other vehicle is a Ford F150.... I will buy another any day.... not another Chevy.... good luck.

MrGrumpy

[Buttmonkey130]

Thank you very much for the advise. I really just want to get rid of it as soon as possible. But for now I have a friend and says he'll do his best in replacing any thing that is wrong at a good price. Until then I am starting my car up every two hours in the middle of the night, just so it will start at 5:00 pm. My poor wife has to also get up and help every night. but thanks again for all the advise.

[BeatnikTermite]

There is a good chance that no matter what the problem is, starting it up every two hours is only going to increase the fuel burned, and decrease your sleep. Almost all electrical or mechanical problems are not going to be helped by this.

Even in the last month, the temperature has only dropped twenty degrees at the most. It has not been freezing. When people have cold-car related issued, it is almost always due to fluids siezing some place or another.

The fact that the solenoid it clicking means: The battery terminals are connected; the ignition switch is operating; and the neutral start switch is functioning.

It sounds like a bad starter, as previously suggested. The best way to find out is to wait until it happens again, and hit the starter with the butt of a screwdriver. If it starts, then it's a bad starter.