- #160 of 186
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Gas gauge needle on wrong side of peg
by 04cad
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Aug 28, 2008 (1:27 pm)
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My daughter's old 98 Malibu LS isn't getting much use lately, and when I went to start it yesterday, it acted up but, did start. I went today and cleaned the battery terminals, removing the negative first with the key in my pocket. The positive wasn't that dirty, but there was corrosion down inside the rubber boot. I cleaned both terminals and the battery connections, the bolts and neutralized the corrosion, oiled the connections and hooked the terminals back up pos first and the the negative. When I went to start it, the gauges jumped all over the place. Finally after a few tries, it did start and I let it idle to charge the battery. While it was idling, I noticed the gas gauge needle is now on the bottom side of the limiting peg. I shut the car off and restarted and the peg only fell straight down, but was stopped when it tried to go up by the peg. Anyone know what caused this and is it fixable or is something broke. Thanks in advance.
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- #161 of 186
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Re: Gas gauge needle on wrong side of peg [04cad]
by 04cad
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Sep 09, 2008 (9:26 am)
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Replying to: 04cad (Aug 28, 2008 1:27 pm)
Tried to start the 98 Malibu again yesterday, wouldn't turn over, replaced the battery and all is good. I was able to take a fine wire and going through the same hole the trip odometer reset pin uses, hook the gas gauge needle and get it on the proper side of the limiting peg and it appears to be working okay now.
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- #162 of 186
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Moisture in 04 Malibu headlights
by beedublu
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Sep 12, 2008 (6:10 pm)
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Does anyone else have this problem? My car was parked outside overnight in a very heavy rainstorm and ever since, there has been water inside the right headlight housing (all three lights -- high, low and parking lamps).
The heat of the bulbs burns some of it off, but after I shut everything off it all clouds up again. Think this will cause any problem with (more) corrosion of the electrical contacts and connectors?
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- #163 of 186
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Re: Moisture in 04 Malibu headlights [beedublu]
by maxx4me
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Sep 13, 2008 (3:11 am)
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Replying to: beedublu (Sep 12, 2008 6:10 pm)
ultimately it will cause an electrical issue. In the short term, it will burn out your bulbs faster and cause reduced lighting at night. Given the amount of water that "ponds" up around the plastic inner lip on these lights when you wash the car, I'm suprised that this has not been a bigger issue for this model. It appears as if your rubber seal has been compromised. "IF" you can find the exact spot where this has occurred, you could put some silicon caulk there to try to mend it. Normally it is a tough fix, and requires a headlight replacement. He, he...I better get rid of mine before that happens to me...........only a week or so away until my new Vibe comes and the Maxx nightmare ends.
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- #164 of 186
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Re: Moisture in 04 Malibu headlights [maxx4me]
by beedublu
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Sep 17, 2008 (8:18 am)
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Replying to: maxx4me (Sep 13, 2008 3:11 am)
Hmmm....thanks, that's what I was afraid of. I wonder what these projector-beam beauties cost to replace? $$$$$$$$$$$$ ? 
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- #165 of 186
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Re: Moisture in 04 Malibu headlights [beedublu]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
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Sep 17, 2008 (9:00 am)
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Replying to: beedublu (Sep 17, 2008 8:18 am)
Looks like retail is $210 each + .6 of an hour labor each side. I'm sure you could do better on the Internet.
These lens covers are pretty sensitive to heat, impact, etc., so it wouldn't take too much to distort, crack, bend them etc.
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- #166 of 186
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Re: Moisture in 04 Malibu headlights [Mr_Shiftright]
by pao
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Sep 17, 2008 (11:01 am)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Sep 17, 2008 9:00 am)
aftermarket parts wholesalers have them for $70 each....also so an ebay deal for a pair for $120....what happened with mind is the yellow globes melted through on the top of each globe due to heat of the bulbs from the DRLs..still have the originals headlamp assemblies on....even with the globes melted through.....132K on my Maxx now
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- #167 of 186
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Re: Moisture in 04 Malibu headlights [Mr_Shiftright]
by beedublu
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Sep 23, 2008 (8:09 am)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Sep 17, 2008 9:00 am)
Ouch! I think I'm going to live with the moisture for a while, until things get critical. So far, the light pattern doesn't seem to be affected too much, at least from what night driving I've done lately.
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- #168 of 186
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Re: turn signal bulb problem [syb]
by oly3
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Oct 15, 2008 (9:52 am)
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Replying to: syb (Jun 29, 2008 3:37 pm)
I'm having the same problem on a 2005 Malibu. Did you every find out what caused it and how to fix it? thanks
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- #169 of 186
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Re: turn signal bulb problem [oly3]
by yury
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Oct 15, 2008 (10:15 am)
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Replying to: oly3 (Oct 15, 2008 9:52 am)
Are you guys talking about a fast blinker? I had that on 05 Malibu as well, it's quite simple actually. One of your turn signals burned out or about to. It happened to me once, I replaced the bulb and then it happen again pretty soon. I took out the bulb and looked at the socket. There was a bad connection due to one of the contact plates not being in good contact with the bulb (the plate had some black residue). I cleaned it and used a screwdriver to gently bend the plate into place. That solved it (at least for several months, I sold the car at some point).
I also seem to remember that GM was replacing the turn signal housing (or some parts in it, can't remember) under warranty.
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