2000 malibu starting and running problems

[Malibu_mad]

I have a 2000 Malibu which started playing up a year ago just after I bought it. The starting became harder and harder the warmer she got, this became worse over time to the point the battery drained completely and the thing wouldn't start. A jump got it going but the battery wasn't charging from the alternator. Replacement battery and alternator solved this first problem, I thought. Five months later she starts getting harder and harder to start again. This time I got to the mall 2 miles from home, stopped to shop, got back in and she was dead. Ok, slap on the charger...nothing. Ok, called Son and slapped the jump leads on, nothing. Called tow truck who also tried a jump, nothing. I'm wondering starter, solenoid, fuel pressure regulator, ECM, what!?

The other problem is, when it drives, around 28000 revs it hunts and dips up and down around 28000 revs. Also revving to 4000 it dies, but picks back up again and revs, hits 4000 dies and so on. Lastly, often when sitting at lights she fluctuates around 7000 revs and occasionally dies.

So, how many times do I need to shoot her with a mosberg to get her to play nice?

[Tech II]

First of all, you have to start eliminating zero's.....28000 revs? 7000 revs?

Car will not go above 4000 rpms because the PCM has a rev limiter built into it.....

Is your battery ok? Check the cable connections......do the lights come on bright when you turn the headlights on?

First thing you check, is your starter getting power at the "S" terminal of the starter solenoid(purple wire), with the key in the crank position? If it is, you need a starter....if it isn't could be a SECURITY problem.....

[AJT1961]

If you are saying that it starts and runs fine when it is cold (after sitting overnight or for several hours), but begins to run poorly and is hard to restart after the engine is hot, then my guess would be a bad fuel pressure regulator.

[Malibu_mad]

Hey! It's a powerful car! Lol!

Thanks for the zero's heads up TechII
I suspected the starter which I'll be addressing, but wonder why the alternator keeps being killed.

Originally Posted by Tech II

First of all, you have to start eliminating zero's.....28000 revs? 7000 revs?

Car will not go above 4000 rpms because the PCM has a rev limiter built into it.....

Is your battery ok? Check the cable connections......do the lights come on bright when you turn the headlights on?

First thing you check, is your starter getting power at the "S" terminal of the starter solenoid(purple wire), with the key in the crank position? If it is, you need a starter....if it isn't could be a SECURITY problem.....

[Malibu_mad]

Thanks. That's been mentioned, so I appreciate the confirmation. I'll hit that also.

Originally Posted by AJT1961

If you are saying that it starts and runs fine when it is cold (after sitting overnight or for several hours), but begins to run poorly and is hard to restart after the engine is hot, then my guess would be a bad fuel pressure regulator.