Problem with My 2004 Chevy Malibu classic 2.2L.
Dear JK: My girlfriends car just started acting funny last week. It died on her a couple times, then
would take several tries to get it start up. Eventually we couldn't get it to start at all. So I verified it had
spark. Then checked the fuel pressure. None at all. The relay was buzzing, but couldn't hear the
pump. I checked all the fuses etc. So I decided to replace the pump and filter. After that it started up
and ran. Girlfriend went to the store and it took several tries to restart it. When she got home it
wouldn't restart again! So I had her cycle the key while I checked the fuel pressure again. It had no
pressure, then after several key cycles, bam full pressure. I also should add that the theft light is
blinking, and the door locks occasionally lock and unlock by them selves. Which is something new.I
really appreciate any advice you can give.
JK:
This also applies to 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 model years.
Hello and welcome. Sounds like you have 2 problems. The buzzing relay could be a bad relay, or the
connection in the fuse block. Have had some problems in the block with corroded wires, or loose
connections that the relay plugs into.
The security light is the next thing. With the security light on/flashing, the car will not start. With that
light on, the computer is disabling the fuel injector circuit. After a try to start, it wont or dies, leave key
on for 10-12 minutes, or until light goes out. Then turn off key for 10 seconds, turn key to 'on' position
for 5 seconds, then turn to start and it should. This is a theft re-learn procedure, and will sometimes
remedy the situation for the time being, but will have to repair the problem. A scanner should show
codes(s) like b2958, b2960.
A common problem is the ignition cylinder and/or the ignition switch. With the buzzing of the relay, i
would say all this may be related to the ignition switch. A low voltage supply to any of the circuits that
the switch feeds will give strange electrical conditions. If going to replace the ignition switch, then also
do the cylinder at the same time. With all things described, sure sounds like the ignition switch.
P.S. The locks may be related to the ignition switch problem or not at all. With that said, would suggest
looking at the BCM(body control module)It control locks, and also has allot to do with the security
system. See picture at bottom of this page of corroded BCM connectors.
Dear JK: My girlfriends car just started acting funny last week. It died on her a couple times, then
would take several tries to get it start up. Eventually we couldn't get it to start at all. So I verified it had
spark. Then checked the fuel pressure. None at all. The relay was buzzing, but couldn't hear the
pump. I checked all the fuses etc. So I decided to replace the pump and filter. After that it started up
and ran. Girlfriend went to the store and it took several tries to restart it. When she got home it
wouldn't restart again! So I had her cycle the key while I checked the fuel pressure again. It had no
pressure, then after several key cycles, bam full pressure. I also should add that the theft light is
blinking, and the door locks occasionally lock and unlock by them selves. Which is something new.I
really appreciate any advice you can give.
JK:
This also applies to 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 model years.
Hello and welcome. Sounds like you have 2 problems. The buzzing relay could be a bad relay, or the
connection in the fuse block. Have had some problems in the block with corroded wires, or loose
connections that the relay plugs into.
The security light is the next thing. With the security light on/flashing, the car will not start. With that
light on, the computer is disabling the fuel injector circuit. After a try to start, it wont or dies, leave key
on for 10-12 minutes, or until light goes out. Then turn off key for 10 seconds, turn key to 'on' position
for 5 seconds, then turn to start and it should. This is a theft re-learn procedure, and will sometimes
remedy the situation for the time being, but will have to repair the problem. A scanner should show
codes(s) like b2958, b2960.
A common problem is the ignition cylinder and/or the ignition switch. With the buzzing of the relay, i
would say all this may be related to the ignition switch. A low voltage supply to any of the circuits that
the switch feeds will give strange electrical conditions. If going to replace the ignition switch, then also
do the cylinder at the same time. With all things described, sure sounds like the ignition switch.
P.S. The locks may be related to the ignition switch problem or not at all. With that said, would suggest
looking at the BCM(body control module)It control locks, and also has allot to do with the security
system. See picture at bottom of this page of corroded BCM connectors.
Theft / Security Light
-----------------------------
The security system on todays cars and trucks prevents the vehicle from being stolen. There are many variations of the
system going back to the early 1990's.
This warning could be on when the engine is running, indicating a fault has been detected in the system. If left un repaired,
there is a good possibility that the car will eventually not start.
There are several different possibilities for the cause of the warning, depending on the make / model / year of the vehicle.
Anything from a bad ignition cylinder wire, to a bad cylinder to a dad Body Control Module (BCM).
After market (non-factory) alarm and remote start systems can cause havoc with the factory theft system, causing this
warning light, or a no start.
-----------------------------
The security system on todays cars and trucks prevents the vehicle from being stolen. There are many variations of the
system going back to the early 1990's.
This warning could be on when the engine is running, indicating a fault has been detected in the system. If left un repaired,
there is a good possibility that the car will eventually not start.
There are several different possibilities for the cause of the warning, depending on the make / model / year of the vehicle.
Anything from a bad ignition cylinder wire, to a bad cylinder to a dad Body Control Module (BCM).
After market (non-factory) alarm and remote start systems can cause havoc with the factory theft system, causing this
warning light, or a no start.
| After removing radio faceplate and radio, remove ignition switch lock cylinder (1). Small screwdriver in cylinder access hole with key in the ON position to depress on release button. |
2- Cylinder release button access hole.
Can be viewed when radio removed.
3- Ignition switch
Can be viewed when radio removed.
3- Ignition switch
--------------------------
Ignition cylinder slides in this direction
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4- Passlock Ignition lock
cylinder removed.
cylinder removed.
Install new cylinder.
Try to start- it wont or dies.
Leave key on for 10-12 minutes, or
until light goes out.
Then turn off key for 10 seconds.
Turn key to 'on' position for 5 seconds,
then turn to start
Try to start- it wont or dies.
Leave key on for 10-12 minutes, or
until light goes out.
Then turn off key for 10 seconds.
Turn key to 'on' position for 5 seconds,
then turn to start
Comments
| 10-4-10 The leaving the key on the ignition works. It worked on my 2003 Malibu. |
| 12-8-10 this is useful. Mine just locked yesterday with it running, and it tripped the system having to break in. I'm going to try it, this has worked when i switched ignitions on my 00' grand am. |
| 12-15-10 12/15/10 Had my car towed home last night because it wouldn't start - theft security light on, just wouldn't turn over. Have seen this light on and off for a while. Did the "theft re-learn procedure" and the car started right up. Thank you so much!!! |
| 1-3-11 would this basically be the same for a 95 Pontiac Firebird? |
| These are two totally different systems. Yours uses a chip in the key and the ignition cylinder to read it. See this link for Passkey Theft System. |
| 1-5-11 Wife car wouldn't start replaced passlock and Ignition cylinder haunt had any problem found out every time hit a bump or pot hole it killed the car the car would crank but wouldn't start try waiting 10 min sometime work sometime didn't wiggle the key worked some time and some didn't after replacing everything from start to fuel pump put in new pass lock and Ignition cylinder will take care of the problems |
| 1-5-11 i just replaced an ignition lock cylinder switch on my Chevy Astro v6 4.3 l now i have a security light flashing on it and wont star can you help me any idea. |
| You need to do a theft relearn procedure. Turn the ignition switch from the OFF position to the CRANK position, and then to the RUN position. The vehicle will start and then stall. Leave the ignition ON until the security telltale turns OFF in 10 minutes. Repeat steps 2 more times. The Body Control Module will learn the new data on the next cycle of the key from off to on. |
| 1-29-11 I have a 2004 Chevy Classic that started having issues with the anti-theft light in April 2010. It went on about 5 months and finally got to the point of me sitting in my car waiting 10 minutes EVERY time I put the key in the ignition to start it.I got frustrated and let a place put a remote start in. It solved all my problems... For four months. Now when I start my car, as soon as i put my foot on the brake the damn thing cuts off but still has power. Whenever it happens, if I try to use the key to start it the car won't even crank. Last night it even shut down while I was driving on a busy street w my 3 kids in the car (luckily I was approaching a stoplight and wasn't on the highway). It had been on with no issues for over 15 min. I am a single mother and I'm terrified to drive the only car I have. Do you have any ideas as to how I should proceed? I know now that the autostart wasn't the cure, and it seems like the ignition needs to be replaced all together. |
| It does sound like possibly ignition switch problem. Not the theft portion, which is in the key cylinder(Passlock Sensor), but the switch. |
| 1-5-11 I have a 97'Sunfire and when I start my car it automatically shuts down with the blinking theft lock light. It blinks 5 times then stays solid. I left the car on for 10min, tried the relearn process doing it 3 times and the problem still happens again. Noticed comments on other sites that the theft lock light is supposed to go away after the 10 minute wait but this does not happen on mine. Also once the car starts I have no problem driving at all, took it to 3 mechanics all said nothing wrong with the parts... I'm confused... Any ideas? |
| 2-13-11 THANK YOU VERY MUCH IT WORK VERY NICE.. I HAVE A 03 MALIBU THANK YOU VERY MUCH |
| 2-18-11 Thank you so much! The theft light was on and I couldn't start my car! But I did what you said and it worked!!! 2004 Chevy Malibu! |
| 2-28-11 if light is not on ......Will it still effect my car. My car starts and than stops right away |
| If the theft / security light is not on when the car stalls, then it is not a theft system problem. |
| 3-21-11 someone mentioned this on another forum. They said to clean your keys with dawn detergent the use a compressed air can that you use to blow out a computer keyboard blowing it into the ignition. This apparently is to help clean the ignition and passlock sensor. Do the procedure of waiting 10 minutes of the key in the off position until the security light quits blinking then turn key to the off position to reset and restart. Apparently the reasoning is that over time lint and dirt over time compile in the ignition switch and sensor making it hard to recognize the key. Have done on my car and so far so good. Not positive, but I do think the car is firing and starting quicker with less cranking. Likely recognizing the key better |
| I 1st experienced this on my 2004 Chevy Malibu last fall in 2010 and I had it towed. Through trial and error I discovered that it was my theft system. Fast forward to Feb 2011 the car is beginning to do it more often.I personally think it should be a recall on this problem and the Chevy Corp should be responsible for repairing this problem. |
| You advice has been very helpful. My mother just gave us her 1999 Malibu that is in very good condition except for this annoying problem. She had the ignition switch replaced after her warning lights started coming on and her door locks would go up and down on their own. Since we have had the car the warning lights seem to go through a cycle at random periods, first the battery light will come on then after maybe 5 minutes it will go off, then the air-bag light will come on for a minute and go off but the car will begin to shift really hard after that one and we have to stop, turn it off, then back on and it corrects the problem. Sometimes the ABS light kicks on with the airbag light. Last week it died on me twice when the theft system light came on. The first time I parked immediately and turned off the car and it would not turn back on. The radio and all would turn on but not the car. My husband had to come and jump start it ! And it started. It was fine for the rest of the day. Then I drove it about 2 hours and the theft system light came on again while on a highway at night, I did not stop this time, but lost my head lights, radio, all of my accessories and made it to my street just before it died. That was about 25 minutes after the theft system light came on. It has been about a week and has not happened again. Does this also sound like the ignition cylinder? |
| No, not a recall. Read all the above post and all the thousands of other articles on this subject all over the web. |
| My 1999 malibu has an after market anti theft thingamabob and it has a tiny switch that some how decided to get switched off so thank you people for all your cool posts! |
| I bought my 1999 Chevy Malibu from Car Max and immediately started having problems with it not starting (anti-theft light blinking) so they replaced the key thinking this was the problem. Worked for about a month, then started happening again. They could not find anything wrong with it when they put it on their machine. Fast forward and now my car is no longer carried under warranty and to fix it would have cost over $800. As far as I'm concerned they should still cover this problem. Is this a RECALL problem on Chevy Malibu? I had a friend replace the sensor and that worked for while, but now it's doing the same thing which makes me think it is a recall problem!!!! |
| have had problems with my 2004 malibu in the anti theft system ordered a unit to do away with the system no more problems 179.00 for the unit well worth it. |
| Thanks to your posting I was able to fix my wife's car that lost it's code Mother's day morning.(maybe now i don't have to buy flowers?) Thank you so much |
| i have the same problem (theft security system)and engine will not start is the process described in the theft relearn procedure the same for a 2000 Silverado? |
| My car had problems starting then he disconnected th battery. The problem is that his car starts but the security light is still on and he has no radio or air conditioning. He car runs great except for the security problem. Any suggestions? |
| I think you have a couple different problems going on there. The security light problem can be caused by a bad ignition cylinder, which includes the passlock sensor. The body control module controls the theft functions through the ignition, and it could be faulty as well. Either of these, if replaced would need to be programmed by a dealership. The radio could be inoperative due to a blown fuse, or by disconnecting the battery you could have activated the theft system on the radio which would need be to reset. You can find more information about radio codes on our website. The air not working, could be a bad control head, or even a blown fuse for that. |
| Theft system light flashes car wont start....now the light stays on most of the time. |
| I just inquired about how much the ignition switch and cylinder cost, and to my surprise it was a total of $458. That only for the parts not the service, all together the tech said it would be from $600 to $700!!! Ouch, GM should have this as a recall dam it. |
| The advice about the Theft Light was very helpful. At exactly 10 minutes, my light shut off; then I was able to restart my car. |
| This is a defective component issue with the GM cars in question. GM knows it and doesn't care. Every time it happens, count on spending $500 to $600. |
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