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2003 chevy Malibu periodically won't start


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jason weller
New User

Jan 2, 2009, 7:30 PM

Post #1 of 7 (8250 views)
post icon 2003 chevy Malibu periodically won't start Sign In

2003 Chevy Malibu with 162,000 miles PERIODICALLY will not start. There is no consistency to this problem. It seems to happen more often when parked on incline or declines.
It cranks and will try to stay running but chugs and dies out. While turning it over, you can give it gas and get it started by revving engine. If you keep doing this, it eventually starts running at normal rpm's. Sometimes you only have to do it a couple of times and it will stay running and other times it may take several tries. This will happen no matter if the engine is cold or hot.

Fuel pump was recently replace as of two months ago and it is the second fuel pump replaced in this car.
Fuel filter is two months old
Air filter has been replaced
New catallytic converter as of one week ago( ran the car for two months without a cat on there )
Battery is new
Ran a code check on it with an Advanced Auto Parts scanner and everything checked out O.K.
No engine lights come on
no fluid or oil leaks of any kind
A.C. is turned off while this happens


Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran / Moderator
Loren Champlain Sr profile image

Jan 2, 2009, 8:56 PM

Post #2 of 7 (8245 views)
Re: 2003 chevy Malibu periodically won't start Sign In

Jason; I'd want to look at fuel pressure and CTS before attempting to start. Not sure if the grade has anything to do with it. I would doubt it. GMs don't typically have problems with crank sensors, but would be worth looking at during the no start period.
Loren
SW Washington


americanmusclegurl
User
americanmusclegurl profile image

Jan 4, 2009, 6:35 AM

Post #3 of 7 (8231 views)
Re: 2003 chevy Malibu periodically won't start Sign In

hey do you want to keep your car because it has coo many miles on it now that u are going to need a new engine soon .I sugest that you start replacing the little things now so you know what you have to deal with later on.


Jeff Norfolk
Enthusiast
Jeff Norfolk profile image

Jan 4, 2009, 12:16 PM

Post #4 of 7 (8226 views)
Re: 2003 chevy Malibu periodically won't start Sign In

Loren has some good advise here. As far as the mileage I wouldn't worry about it to much. With regular maitnance 250k or more is not uncommon. Especially is you do a lot of highway as most people these days do. At 162k you are barely half way home on this motor.
Jeff


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jan 4, 2009, 2:21 PM

Post #5 of 7 (8224 views)
Re: 2003 chevy Malibu periodically won't start Sign In

Jeff: I like the point about mileage - so true. With proper care many can do the 1/4 mil - perhaps more. I'm plucking parts of a good 213K 20 year old given up on for rust not wear out. My personal driving mileage is so little I'll not see those #s again. Have a bro who is in sales on the road all day and we routinely pound out over 250k on choice used cars to start with - no problem,

T



duanesid
New User

Feb 8, 2009, 8:24 AM

Post #6 of 7 (8139 views)
Re: 2003 chevy Malibu periodically won't start Sign In

A friend of mine had a similar problem. His would start but then it wouldnt the next finally it wouldnt start at all he needed a bcm and a ignition switch. Check and see if all your dash lights light up if not that is the problem. The symptoms were theft light came on gauges and no other lights responded & no fuel pump.


MiRepo
New User

Oct 15, 2009, 10:44 AM

Post #7 of 7 (8011 views)
Re: 2003 chevy Malibu periodically won't start Sign In

Jason,
Did you figure out your problem? I have a Chevy 3500 truck that has a similar issue and I've replaced just about everything. I'd like to hear what you resolved. Thanks, Jeff






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