Several power problems

[MalibuMan]

I went to start my 2001 Malibu and although it started fine, the power windows no longer worked, the A/C wouldn't work, the temperature gauge no longer worked, the gas gauge no longer worked and the radio wouldn't work. But, when I shut the car off and didn't open the door, the radio started working as it normally did before for the 10 minute delayed exit. I started the car again and all the same problems were there including the radio that stopped working again. Everything had been working fine, 30 minutes earlier when I parked the car.

About 3 hours later, I drove the car and the same problems existed. I drove for about 5 minutes, parked in the garage and turned it off. I then turned the key and everything started working again. I ran it for a couple of minutes and turned the car off and then started it again. Those same problems came back again. Turned the car off again and restarted and the problems had disappeared. Did the restarting thing several more times and all was working, but what about the next time!

Now, can this be checked or do the problems have to exist at the time the mechanic looks at the car. Any ideas as to why this happened? I've driven this car without problems for the last 30,000 miles of it's total 66,000 miles and this has never happened before.

[wymi]

This is just a guess, but it sounds like an ignition switch problem to me. I think the power for all the items you mentioned that didn't work come from the ignition circuit.

[MalibuMan]

Originally Posted by wymi

This is just a guess, but it sounds like an ignition switch problem to me. I think the power for all the items you mentioned that didn't work come from the ignition circuit.

You are correct in your guessing. Took it to my local auto shop today. They determined that it is the GM pass lock cylinder that was failing. They said that it would continue to work intermittently for a while but, eventually, would fail completely and the anti-theft would kick in and prevent the car from even starting at all. The manager says that he has a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix and it had similar problems and that this problem affects a large number of GM cars. He expects that GM will have to issue a recall due to the number of these failures. The new lock cylinder cost me $169, plus $75 labor and $20 for the code to enable the new lock to use my old keys. I wonder what the dealer charge would have been?

By the way, I had them replace the serpentine belt today as well and like my son's '99 Grand Prix, in order to remove/replace the belt, one of the motor mounts has to be removed (Mine is the 6 cylinder version).