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 265 of 383

#2633 of 3823 Re: Electrical, Steering & headrests 2004 Malibu LS [suec] by sgr5516

Nov 09, 2005 (5:30 pm)

Replying to: suec (Nov 09, 2005 12:27 pm)
I have a 2004 Maxx LS and have not had the thumping problem. I'm no expert, but problem may be caused by the steering gear pre-load adjustment. While the power assist is electric and built into the steering wheel, the steering gear is a standard manual rack and pinion system. There is TSB for this, but it says it only applies to GM Chevy dealers in Mexico. It's TSB 04-02-32-003, issued April 2004.
 
The TSB says - Some customers may comment that while driving over certain rough road conditions, they hear a rattle noise from the front end of the vehicle. Some customers may also comment that they feel clunking in the steering wheel while hearing the noise. This condition is more likely to occur only when the vehicle is hot and will go away after the vehicle cools down.
 
The fix is to remove and install a new plastic adjuster plug and retorque to spec.

#2634 of 3823 Measured RPMs at Different Speeds by redmaxx

Nov 10, 2005 (10:30 am)

60 MPH: 1800 RPMs
65 MPH: 1900 RPMs
70 MPH: 2050 RPMs
75 MPH: 2200 RPMs
80 MPH: 2350 RPMs
85 MPH: 2500 RPMs
 
2004 Malibu Maxx 3.5L V6
 
Note: to obtain these numbers I set the cruise control at these speeds on a level highway and held that speed for about a minute to ensure that the transmission was satisfied with its configuration (no TCC changes, etc).

#2635 of 3823 Re: Electrical, Steering & headrests 2004 Malibu LS [suec] by pao

Nov 10, 2005 (10:36 am)

Replying to: suec (Nov 09, 2005 12:27 pm)
mine isnt in the steering wheel at all..that is smooth as glass still..at first thought it was a bearing but had that checked..and wasnt the problem..so will just live with it.....mine is so slight you can only notice it with the windows up...no fan and no radio going....just one of those little things you get to know about your car I guess

#2636 of 3823 Re: Electrical, Steering & headrests 2004 Malibu LS [suec] by pao

Nov 10, 2005 (10:42 am)

Replying to: suec (Nov 09, 2005 10:17 am)
some have simply turned the headrests around....out of warranty...dealer will probably not touch the issue...
 
to be honest..I find them the most comfortable ones I have had in all my autos....they actually support the head vice the neck..and allow me to sit straight in the seat and rest my head back....Im not one to laid the seat back..and make it a lounge chair.....

#2637 of 3823 Re: Electrical, Steering & headrests 2004 Malibu LS [pao] by maxx4me

Nov 10, 2005 (11:39 am)

Replying to: pao (Nov 10, 2005 10:42 am)
...agreed. As for the steering, my squeeking noise has returned. As a result, I am not having any of the "parking lot jitters". It is nice not to sweat it knowing I have the warranty until 102,000 miles.

#2638 of 3823 Re: Electrical, Steering & headrests 2004 Malibu LS [suec] by 04bu

Nov 10, 2005 (11:34 pm)

Replying to: suec (Nov 09, 2005 10:17 am)
YES, there is a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB)that is about replacing the headrests in the '04 (at least) Malibu. My dealer was unaware of it, and I was NOT charged for it. They took about a week to arrive. I hadn't realized that with the original headrests, I was sitting with my head tilted slightly forward. The replacements are better. Even though the fabric style doesn't match exactly. I have the LS interior and sedan headrests. But it's still better.

#2639 of 3823 RE: XM radio/CD player 2004 Malibu LT by mhelsel

Nov 11, 2005 (7:45 am)

1st 3 months radio worked great. then it started, turned off radio, my wife gets in turn on the car and the radio comes on by it self with out turning it on! Sometimes XM,CD player, FM station, or while going down the road with the radio off. any one out there having this problem too? My dealers says its the two keys that that is causing that to happen, it remembers not!because it does not play what either one of are selections.

#2640 of 3823 RE:Thumbing in front end 2004 Malibu LT by mhelsel

Nov 11, 2005 (7:54 am)

Had same problem, my dealer said it was the calipers grabbing and lubricated the guide pins and the noise went away, but it is starting to comeback again.

#2641 of 3823 Re: Malibu Maxx brakes [sadiedog] by mhelsel

Nov 11, 2005 (8:48 am)

Replying to: sadiedog (Aug 28, 2004 7:18 am)
Have the dealer clean& lube the caliper guide pins and the noise will go away.

#2642 of 3823 RE: XM radio/CD player 2004 Malibu LT [mhelsel] by e2helper

Nov 11, 2005 (4:25 pm)

Replying to: mhelsel (Nov 11, 2005 7:45 am)
I think we have seen this complaint before
 
Dealer is incorrect, radio personalization is based on the last fob used to unlock door, not on the key itself.
 
If radio settings are changing when driving down the road this is most likely a different issue - either with the Radio or BCM.
 
I will think about this some more and post back - would you be willing to have the personalization feature turned off if that would address complaint? Dealer might be able to do that for you - although they might not know how to do this without help from their technical assistance center

Messages Page 265 of 383

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement