Ask the Car People.SM


Chevrolet Malibu: Problems & Solutions - READ ONLY

3823 messages,  Last post on Oct 12, 2006 at 3:31 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Malibu - Archived Discussions Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, Electrical, Engine, Sedan

Messages Page 184 of 383

#1829 of 3823 Re: Advice for purchasing a 2004 Maxx LT [francijai] by ericw55

Apr 21, 2005 (9:26 pm)

Replying to: francijai (Apr 21, 2005 5:59 pm)
The left pull is a separate issue from the column recall. I think some early Maxxs had power steering failures, hence the recall. Here is the TSB for the left pull:
 
Informational - Vehicle Leads/Pulls Characteristics and Diagnosis #04-03-06-001 - (Sep 10, 2004)
 
2004-2005 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu MAXX
 
Lead/Pull Description
At a constant highway speed on a typical straight road, lead/pull is the amount of effort required at the steering wheel to maintain the vehicle's straight path.
 
Lead/pull is usually caused by the following factors:
 
Tire construction Variability in the tire construction may produce lead/pull. The rear tires will not cause lead/pull.
Wheel alignment
Brake Drag
Unbalanced steering gear
Visual/Physical Inspection
Inspect for aftermarket devices which could affect the operation of any of the suspension subsystems.
Inspect the easily accessible or visible system components for obvious damage or conditions which could cause the symptom.
Inspect for proper tire size and inflation pressure. Refer to Tire Placard in General Information, SI Document ID #1211368.
Inspect for abnormal tire wear.
Vehicle Leads/Pulls Alignment Diagnosis and Repair
Front cross-caster and front cross-camber are the only wheel alignment parameters that influence lead or pull.
 
For vehicle leads/pulls diagnosis, refer to Vehicle Leads/Pulls, SI Document ID #1458799.
 
If the vehicle leads/pulls to the left after performing the steps listed in SI Document ID 1458799 and the front wheel alignment parameters are found to be in specification, adjust the front left and/or right camber to achieve a cross-camber of -0.50° to -0.75°. Refer to Front Camber Adjustment, SI Document ID 1238715. The cross-camber is the difference between the left side camber and the right side camber (cross-camber = LH camber-RH camber). Positive cross-camber may cause the vehicle to pull to the left. For example: If the vehicle pulls to the left, adjust the cross-camber more negative and vice-versa.
 
Steering Position and Torque Sensor Calibration
 
Important
ONLY perform the steering position sensor and torque sensor recalibration procedure after the tires, suspension and alignment specifications have been inspected and/or corrected and the vehicle still exhibits a lead or pull condition. Failure to do so may result in additional customer lead and or pull concerns.
 
After inspecting the suspension, tires and alignment, and if the vehicle still leads or/pulls, it may be necessary to recalibrate the steering position sensor and torque sensor. Refer to Control Module Setup, SI Document ID #1255331.
 
GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION
 
© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

#1830 of 3823 Re: noise and thud from front left [maxx4me] by pao

Apr 22, 2005 (6:42 am)

Replying to: maxx4me (Apr 21, 2005 2:10 pm)
whats the URL for blacks again..I tried to to find it..thought I saved it.,.and duh...NO....anyway..any help would be apppreciated!..
Got my left light socket replaced under warranty today at Pallone Chevy...in at 730 and out at 840...not bad.....will see if that fixes the problem...scary the amount of stuff your filter is catching....how did yuo make it again..sounds like it might be a weekend project not in the too distant future...

#1831 of 3823 Re: Advice for purchasing a 2004 Maxx LT [ericw55] by francijai

Apr 22, 2005 (7:10 am)

Replying to: ericw55 (Apr 21, 2005 9:26 pm)
Thank you for the information, I passed it along to the service tech's at the dealership where I intend to purchase this vehicle, hopefully any of these bugs can be resolved before I take delivery of the vehicle. Overall do you feel that this is a decent car, and that I could reasonably expect to get 6+ years of reliable and safe transportation from it?

#1832 of 3823 Re: Advice for purchasing a 2004 Maxx LT [francijai] by kurtamaxxguy

Apr 22, 2005 (10:07 am)

Replying to: francijai (Apr 21, 2005 5:59 pm)
My Maxx LS w/o sunroof was built right around 1/15/04 or so.
 
You will probably get nailed by the steering columm (bad sensors, strut clunk) and rough idle.
Fixes are available for both but be sure your dealer is cooperative and will do the tsb's for you.
 
Howling tranny is iffy around that time - same cavet.
 
There was a reinforcement for the doors done with March '04 builds and on that make car safer in side impacts. It's not retrofittable.

#1833 of 3823 GMPP savings and filter change by maxx4me

Apr 22, 2005 (12:37 pm)

Replying to: pao (Apr 22, 2005 6:42 am)
pao: just type in 'discount gmpp' in your search engine, and it will be the first hit.
Palone is a good repair shop.
See my old message for the instructions on installing the filter:
maxx4me, "Chevrolet Malibu" #4481, 11 Apr 2005 4:16 pm!

#1834 of 3823 Re: Advice for purchasing a 2004 Maxx LT [kurtamaxxguy] by francijai

Apr 22, 2005 (2:56 pm)

Replying to: kurtamaxxguy (Apr 22, 2005 10:07 am)
Thanks Kurt, the dealer acts as if addressing these concerns is no problem I emailed him 4 tsb#s and info (refering to my first post and eric response). Is there anyay I can be sure that these issues were adressed with the appropiate tsb fixes before I take delivery of the car, other than my assuming it has been done corrrectly because I gave them the info?

#1835 of 3823 Re: Advice for purchasing a 2004 Maxx LT [francijai] by kurtamaxxguy

Apr 22, 2005 (7:10 pm)

Replying to: francijai (Apr 22, 2005 2:56 pm)
no way to know I fear for sure. dealers I've been to claim they do the work but in some cases the problem comes back because they did the job only halfway.
Hopefully you can find out if your dealer is one of the good ones.
 
Best of luck!

#1836 of 3823 Re: noise and thud from front left [pao] by bwolter

Apr 23, 2005 (7:29 pm)

Replying to: pao (Apr 21, 2005 1:49 pm)
I'm taking mine in Monday for the thudding which is getting far worse. What is this 12K limit you are talking about?

#1837 of 3823 Re: noise and thud from front left [pao] by bwolter

Apr 23, 2005 (7:41 pm)

Replying to: pao (Apr 22, 2005 6:42 am)
Is there a TSB or bulletin number for this? I want to give it to the service department on Monday. I looked through the messages, but my eyes are tired and if it's there, I've missed it.

#1838 of 3823 steering column chatter and GMPP by maxx4me

Apr 24, 2005 (4:08 am)

Replying to: bwolter (Apr 23, 2005 7:41 pm)
bwolter: I was not aware of a TSB at the time I brought mine in. Fortunately, I have a senior Service Advisor and a well educated Service Manager at my disposal. There was no questioning what I was describing. As for the 12k issue, I'm assuming you are refering to my comment to pao on the GMPP. GM generously allows you to purchase a GMPP at new car prices up until 12 months/12,000 miles (ie: as if you just bought the car today), and gives you the GMPP at the time and miles you buy the GMPP, not at the time and miles you bought your car. After 12/12k, the price jumps substantially. After 24/24k, it jumps prohibitively in my opinion. So, while you can purchase a GMPP up until your 36/36,000 runs out, it is best to do so before the 12/12k point.

Messages Page 184 of 383

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement