Malibu Wont Start

[ViperJ]

My malibu just recently has problems starting. The 1st time you put the key in the car turns over fine but absolutly will not start, doesent matter hot or cold. But then if you try restarting it after your 1st try it will fire right up in under 5 seconds. any ideas?

[MeCNE]

Does the Teft System light come on?

I recently had a problem with this..
Was using a cut key.. Got it in after driving it on and off all day , and all it did was rollover, not firing..

Got my original key from Home fired right up..
Then stalled.. Theft light came on..

Jiggled the key in the ignition and it has been fine ever since..

I have 240 Km on it now, I think the igintion switch may be getting worn out..

I found some info online with alot of people having this trouble with the Malibu ignition with varying milage..

The Teft System is Passlock, disables igintion if the wrong key is used of ignition is jimmyed..


Mike

[ViperJ]

Originally Posted by MeCNE

Does the Teft System light come on?

I recently had a problem with this..
Was using a cut key.. Got it in after driving it on and off all day , and all it did was rollover, not firing..

The theft light will come on once every month or so.

I have the orignal key and cut key for my car and it doesent seem to matter which one i use. It could be the ignition cylinder going out the car has 55000 miles for a 99'.

[CajunKitty]

I have a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu 6 cyl with 70,000 miles. About 6 mths ago it wouldn't start. I had to have it towed to a repair shop. Mechanic said that I had used the wrong key to start it, which activated the "Passlock" theft-deterrent system. But I know this was impossible since I only have one key on my keychain...and that is the key to the car. He was able to reset the computer. It cost me $93.00. Car has worked fine until recently.

Well, it has happened twice in the last 2 weeks again. The car would try to turn over, but would not start and the THEFT SYSTEM light on the dash was blinking. This time I found out from a fellow Malibu owner that there is a way to trick the "Passlock" system. Apparantly, my computer is getting confused and thinks my car is about to be stolen...LOL.

I am quoting from the owner's guide that came with my car. "If the THEFT SYSTEM light flashes with the key in ON, wait 10 minutes until the light goes off. Then turn the ignition key to OFF before attempting to start the engine."

I tried this and my car has started both times it acted up. My next thing to do is to have my ignition switch and relay and computer checked out. Because it happening twice in 2 weeks is not good.

I wonder if there is a recall on this? My friend with the Malibu has had it happen to him several times also...but the last time I called to check on recalls there was none

[Streetstock11]

You got screwed if they charged you 93 bucks to reset your computer to make your car start...all you have to do if your car will not start is turn the key on the on position for 10 minutes (you will notice the theft light will be blinking over to the left) after 10 min the light will stop blinking...turn the key off, and then your car will start. I have to do it quiet often in my 01 malibu

[CajunKitty]

Well, I guess you can say that I learned the hard way ... chalk that one up to experience. I know the "trick" now to getting it started ... the way you said. And if it is a common thing happening...I wonder if there are any recalls because of this problem? I wonder why the computer is getting confused and we are having to reset it using this "trick"? Like I said in my first post, I've had to do it 3 times now in 3 weeks.

[Streetstock11]

Yeah, i do not know why there hasnt been a recall, because about every person i know that has a malibu has had to do this...It can get annoying when you need to leave for work NOW and then you have to wait 10 minutes for the car to start...does anyone know how recalls happen? how many times does something have to be reported to the dealer?

[ViperJ]

Thanks guys the tricked seemed to work for now but well see if it works in the future.

[bearcatdon]

Great info....I haven't had to do this yet but I'm sure my time will come.
Recalls are usually driven by safety concerns. The OEM doesn't want to get in trouble with the goverment. Manufacturers can do a voluntary if they want but that rarely happens. In other words, don't hold your breath on a Malibu recall for any of the obvious design flaws.