Chevrolet Malibu Electrical/Lighting

208 messages,  Last post on Feb 27, 2013 at 1:46 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Malibu Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Malibu, Lights, Electrical, Sedan

#142 of 208 Re: 2004 Malibu classic question [04cad] by heidi14

Mar 02, 2008 (5:59 pm)

Replying to: 04cad (Aug 08, 2007 4:36 am)
I had a similar problem with my 2003 Chevy Malibu. The dash lights flashed the oil symbol as if I needed some kind of servicing. A nationally known garage chain gave me a quote of over $1600 for a fix to this problem, stating that there were oil leaks. The curious part to the"fix" was that the manager who gave me the quotes, could not tell me how much oil had to be added to top off my oil, or how fast the oil might be leaking, how much, etc. Basically he showed me a long detailed list of things and a labor rate of $104 an hour and told me this was the work necessary.
   Fortunately I talked to some friends at church, and was able to talk to someone at my church who is an independent mechanic. I would put his name and contact info here, but I think that might be considered advertising. He was very aware of this kind of pressure tactic at garages to get the "highest quote of the day," something he hated hearing when he worked for a larger garage.
   He told me that the problem on my dash could be electrical and that the item flashing pertained to oil pressure, not an oil leak. He could not find anything wrong with my car to suggest an oil leak, but did something inexpensive which seems to have solved the problem. He put in a new "oil pressure sender" as he described it. On the empty box the item came in, I can read the name, "Engine Controls/ignition,electrical,emissions,fuel." The part costs about $12 and is less than one hour of labor to install. My car has not had any more problems and sits outside at airport parking outside for days on end in Minnesota, so it is doing just fine, as far as I am concerned. I had the service done about a month and a half ago. I think going to a well educated independent mechanic with morals is the best way to handle this problem. Prayer can help too!

#143 of 208 Re: Malibu Electrical problem - Service Vehicle Soon [sgz1] by kindasimpl

Mar 03, 2008 (1:43 pm)

Replying to: sgz1 (Jan 12, 2008 10:35 am)
sgz1 did you find out what your problem was? Mine just started doing the exact same thing!

#144 of 208 Re: Malibu Electrical problem - Service Vehicle Soon [kindasimpl] by sgz1

Mar 03, 2008 (8:01 pm)

Replying to: kindasimpl (Mar 03, 2008 1:43 pm)
Ufortumately no. Problem has gotten worse where the car will not restart after short trips. Of course, it's intermittant. I spoke to a place a friend recommended. Said the gauge problem may be a bad ignition switch. Would cost about $85 to $150 for various testing, but no guarantee if they can not duplicate the problem

#145 of 208 Re: Malibu Electrical problem - Service Vehicle Soon [kindasimpl] by sgz1

Mar 10, 2008 (5:21 pm)

Replying to: kindasimpl (Mar 03, 2008 1:43 pm)
I had the car tested and car exhibited the problem once during testing. They told me that codes pointed to a faulty ignition switch. They also told me this is a common problem with this vintage Malibu. I had them replace it and they told me it had burn marks on it. The dashboard problems disappeared and the starting problem is gone. Very pleased with where I went.
 
With testing, parts and install, cost came to $350

#146 of 208 Parking lights/headlights by skitch2

Mar 11, 2008 (8:31 am)

I went to go get in my 2002 Malibu to go to work and my battery was dead. I noticed my parking lights were on, but not real bright. So I jumpstarted my car and took off. Then I was driving to work and my head lights just went out. Nothing else went out, so I had to take them off of auto and turn them on manuel and they came back on. If I put them back to the auto setting they would go off again. Then when I got to work I locked my car with the remote and my parking lights stayed on. They would not go off. After locking the car the head lights went off as normal, but the parking lights did not. I had to pull the fuse to the parking lights so my battery would not go dead like it did sometime in the night.
 
Has anyone had this problem. HELP!!!

#147 of 208 rear turn signal replacement by aznomad

Mar 17, 2008 (3:53 pm)

Help!! I am traveling and need to replace my left turn signal lamp. I can't get the bulb out, can anyone tell me how to remove the light cover? It's a 2005 malibu.

#148 of 208 Re: rear turn signal replacement [aznomad] by 04cad

Mar 17, 2008 (4:50 pm)

Replying to: aznomad (Mar 17, 2008 3:53 pm)
If it the old body style 05, open the trunk, I think there are two or three large black plastic nuts in the trunk area that will allow the whole rear reflector assemble to be pulled out to the back and then the bulb holder should have a sort of lever that runs around the outside, squeeze that lever and turn, the holder should slip out, I think the bulb may just push into the holder.
 
 If it is a new body style 05, I don't know if it is the same or not.
 
 Autozone or Pep boys, etc. would probably install it free if you buy it there.

#150 of 208 03 Malibu, electrical problems,, many by shmimc1973

Apr 20, 2008 (5:20 pm)

I have an 03 malibu, many months ago, i noticed that the crusie would quit owrking as well as the power windows, but would come back on eventually, then later, the radio, wipers, door locks, and auto headlights would stop working, then come back on later. also the fuel and temp gauge would quit to along with the radio,. But certains things of that group i listed would go out, then come back on, very weird. sumtimes they all would. and the last few days, sometimes it cranks but wont fire till about the 3rd time, and it idles great. but many once a day, will shut off. also sometimes the check engine light, or service engine soon light would come or, or both at the same time. I have no idea what is causing this. and does anyone ever get better than 22 MPG with these malibu's?the car has 60K on it now. I have read some forums on here and makes me think maybe it might be the ignition switch? and i probally need a fuel filter for the engine dying too i am assuming.

#151 of 208 Re: 03 Malibu, electrical problems,, many [shmimc1973] by shmimc1973

Apr 20, 2008 (7:16 pm)

Replying to: shmimc1973 (Apr 20, 2008 5:20 pm)
Well, I just figured it out, took the ignition switch out, and noticed that one of the contacts was dirty, cleaned it up nice and now everything is working Great!!
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