Top 10 2003 Chevrolet Malibu Questions & Answers

Gotta drain that tank first, take your time and be smart about it. The book says to use a hand operated pump connected to the pressure return line at the tank; but we all know you're going to siphon it. Just don't use a vinyl tube, it holds and conducts static electricity, use rubber fuel hose. Disconnect, drain & drop. Replace the pump assembly and reverse the procedure. Look for upwards of 500-1100 dollars from garages/dealers. The part itself is just under $300. Reliable used parts are available at the yard or internet for about $50 or less.

To diagnose: Does the clicking resume to normal when the turn signal or hazrds on? Then:
Multi function switch is damaged.(seems to be common) This unit consists of the two control arms(turn signals and wiper control) on either side of the steering column. It is easily replaced. Cost, app. 200 from GM or 160 aftermarket. GM product is TRW assembled in Mexico. Aftermarket is made in Taiwan. Firstly:

Disconnect battery.

There are 3 #20 Torx screws under the steering column shroud. Remove them and carefully separate shroud and remove. It takes a bit to worm the shroud around the column tilt lever. I didn't check but you may not even have to remove the lower section.

There is 1 #20 torx screw on top holding the MFS in place. It also has 2 guide pins on the bottom. Remove the screw and disconnect the 3 electrical pin connectors. Now remove and replace with new unit. I did notice the steel pin that operates the horn(it pushes in and out and sits against a rotating plate in front of the steering wheel) was a bit rough so I smoothed it out with a small file. Now put everything back in place.

Anyway, that should take care of the clicking. It worked for me. rough so I smoothed it out with a small file. Now put everything back in place. Anyway, that should take care of the clicking. It worked for me.

disconnect negative battery terminal, raise vehicle,remove splash sheild, if equipped. take wires off of solenoid on starter, remove starter mounting bolts, remember not to mix up wires!! --to install--put starter back in vehicle put in bolts,hook up wires, then replace cable back on battery.

2003 Chevrolet Malibu 3.1L SFI OHV 6cyl
Spark Plug Wires - Removal & Installation

3.5L Engine

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions Section.
   NOTE Twist the spark plug boot one-half turn in order to release the boot. Pull on the spark plug boot only. Do not pull on the spark plug wire or the wire could be damaged.
2. Remove the intake manifold cover, if required.
3. Disconnect the left side spark plug wires from the spark plugs.
4. Disconnect the left side spark plug wires from the ignition coil.
5. Remove the spark plug wire clips from the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor bracket and the heater inlet and outlet pipe tab.
6. Remove the spark plug wire assembly.
7. If replacing only one plug wire, open the retaining clips and remove the appropriate spark plug wire.
8. Disconnect the right side spark plug wires from the spark plugs.
9. Disconnect the right side spark plugs from the ignition coils.
10. Remove the spark plug wire assembly.
11. If replacing only one plug wire, open the retaining clip and remove the appropriate spark plug wire.

1. Install the spark plug wire assembly.
2. Connect the right side spark plugs to the ignition coils.
3. Connect the right side spark plug wires to the spark plugs.
4. If replacing only one plug wire, open the retaining clip and install the appropriate spark plug wire.
5. Install the spark plug wire assembly.
6. Connect the left side spark plug wires to the spark plugs.
7. Connect the left side spark plug wires to the ignition coil.
8. Install the spark plug wire clips to the MAP sensor bracket and the heater inlet and outlet pipe tab.
9. If replacing only one plug wire, open the retaining clips and install the appropriate spark plug wire.
10. Install the intake manifold cover, if required.

Fig. 2.2L Engine Firing Order: 1-3-4-2 Distributorless ignition system

Fig. 3.5L Engine Firing order: 1-2-3-4-5-6 Distributorless ignition system

Fig. 2.4L Engine Firing order: 1-3-4-2 Distributorless ignition system

Fig. 3.1L Engine Firing order: 1-2-3-4-5-6 Distributorless ignition system

Fig. 2.2L Engine Firing Order: 1-3-4-2 Distributorless ignition system

Fig. 3.5L & 3.9L Engines Firing order: 1-2-3-4-5-6 Distributorless ignition system


I really hope help you with this (remember rated this help) Good luck.

On a 2003 Chevy Maibu the theft system light comes on and blinks when the system is triggered. The car will not start and the fuel pump cuts out. You must turn key to on and have all doors closed. Keep the key to on for 10 mins til theft light turns solid and then disappears. Then turn key to start and it should fire up.

If your battery was replaced and the radio lost power then your anti thieft lock was activated. Check your oweners manual under radio and check for a 4 number pass word. Sometimes it is taped to the upper part of the glove box. If yopu do not have the CODE you will need to take the vehicle to the dealership or a repair center and they can give the vin number to a dealership and get the CODE.

DT

It's when the security light starts flashing that the infamous "chip" in the key becomes a nightmare to many. Gradually the car begins not cranking anymore or if it cranks it would start and die in a second. Randomly it will do this more and more often until it won't start anymore. VATS, PASSkey and Passlock immobilizer systems are killing cars all over North America, they have a short lifespan and are certainly more effective against owners than thieves. Here is how you save your car
1st trick, Try a spare key that is newer or used less. The pins wear down and so do the keys causing security fail. 2nd trick, (if not starting) turn the key forward 2 clicks till right before it would normally start, leave like that for 10 minutes. ( no less ) After 10 minutes, turn key back then forward and your car might start. I did this in my regal for more than a year. If its shutting down while running, im sorry i have no quick fix... If anything on this page helps you, please remember to comment or give me a thumbs up on the myfixya sight so i can have a better rating to help more people on this. Thanks

Cheap fix: Bypass the chip in your key. Temporary, but effective. Until the TDM (theft deterrent module) in the dash poops out, then you're kinda screwed. I was told that these types of key security systems have a 7-10 year life span. Sucks for us. This link explains the "Key Issue" pretty well.
----- http://vats.likeabigdog.com/


Never worry again fix: Bypass the whole VATS/Passlock/passkey I or passkey II system entirely. Literally take it out, and throw it away. I just did this in my Regal. Took about an hour. Took longer to find the thing than it did to fix the problem. They sell a unit for 200 bucks to totally bypass this system FOREVER. life time-money back and all that. Finally did this in my car. Well worth the 200 if you've looked into getting this replaced... Anywhere from 600-1000 bucks. If you do buy this, please purchase it thru this link. The cost is the same, but i get credit for the sale and im trying to earn my money back, as you will be able to do if you buy fron NewRockies and join the free affiliate program. Thanks
----- http://newrockies.ca?ap_id=judd0081 ----- With this fix, you can take that whole Vats, passlock, passkey system out of your car all together. Good info on both sites.

It works for:
Any GM or Isuzu Vehicle with VATS or PASSKey or PASSLock security systems.
If your car has the chip in the key or in the lock cylinder, then you can save it with this Full Bypass.
Trucks
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GMC/Chevy
1998-2006 S10/T10/Sonoma
/Blazer/Jimmy
1998-2007 Suburban/Avalanche
/Tahoe/Yukon
1998-2006 Sierra/Silverado
2002-2008 Trailblazer
2003-2006 SSR
1998-2006 C1500/C2500/C3500
1998-2006 K1500/K2500/K3500
2003-2007 Hummer H2
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Isuzu
1998-2000 Hombre
2005-2006 I280/I350
2007-2008 I290/I370
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Cars/Vans
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Isuzu
2003-2007 Ascender
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Pontiac
1994-2003 Grand Prix
1998-1999 Montana
2006 Torrent
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1988-1999 Bonneville
1988-2002 Firebird
1995-2005 Sunfire
1996-2002 Trans Am
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Buick
2004-2007 Rainier
1994-2005 Century
1993-2004 Regal
1982-1999 LeSabre
1991-1996 Park Avenue / Ultra
1994-1996 Roadmaster
1991-1996 Roadmaster Estate Wagon
1982-1999 Riviera
1988-1991 Reatta
1996-1998 Skylark
1982-1990 Electra (all models)
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Oldsmobile
1996-1998 Achieva
1999-2004 Alero
1994-2004 Aurora
1998-2004 Bravada
1991-1993 Delta 88
1994-1999 Eighty-Eight
1991-1996 Nighty-Eight
1998-2002 Intrigue
1990-1992 Toronado
1994-1997 Cutlass Supreme
1997-1999 Cutlass
1997-1999 LSS/Regency
1997-1999 Silhouette
1991-1996 Custom Cruiser
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Chevrolet/GMC
1998-2005 Astro/Safari
1998-2008 Envoy
2005-2006 Equinox
1998-2007 Savana/Express
1995-2005 Monte Carlo
1997-1999 Venture
1995-2001 Lumina
1988-2002 Camaro
1995-2005 Cavalier
1982-2004 Corvette
1994-1996 Caprice/Caprice Wagon
1995-1996 Impala SS
2000-2005 Impala
1997-2005 Malibu Classic
1997-2003 Malibu
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Cadillac
1986-1993 Allante
1982-1996 Fleetwood
1985-1996 Fleetwood Brougham
1992-2004 Seville
1992-2004 SLS/STS
1985-1999 Deville
1994-1999 Deville Concours
1997-1999 Deville D'Elegance
1988-2002 ElDorado
1994-2002 ElDorado Touring
1999-2007 Escalade
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Saturn
2000 LS/LS1/LS2/LW1/LW2
2001-2002 L100/LW100
2001-2003 L200/LW200
2001-2005 L300/LW300
2004-2005 L-Series
2002-2008 VUE
1996-2002 SL/SL1/SL2
1996-2002 SC1/SC2
1996-2002 SW1/SW2

Hey Debbie. When a car wont start, there can be many things that can cause this. It can get real frustrating real quick. I will give you some things that it may be. If you are good at cars, you need to test for fuel and spark. Make sure fuel is going to the engine and make sure your ignition is sparking. If you are not good on cars, check these. Make sure your fuel pump is kicking on when you first turn the key. You should hear a humming sound for a second or two. If you do, the pump is working. If not, it may be bad. If you haven't changed the fuel filter in a long time, it may be clogged. A filter is cheap, usually 10-20 dollars. A fuel pump is 100-200 dollars. Check your air filter and make sure the engine is getting air. The filter may be clogged/real dirty. You could check the fuel pump fuse/relay, only if you didn't hear the pump. Your timing belt may have broke. You need to spray starter fluid into your carburetor. You will have to take off the air hose to do so. Once you spray it in, try to start the car. If it starts and dies, you have a fuel issue. If it stays the same and doesn't start, you will have to check the ignition system. This included the spark plugs/coils, distributor, dist.cap, rotor, cam sensor , crank sensor, ecm. I know it is a lot to take in but it could be any of these. Let me know if you know the engine good. There are things you can check, if you know how to check them. The only way to check for the problem is by checking each possibility. If you have a question Debbie, let me know. I am here to help. Thanks for choosing FixYa.

Check for blown head gaskets. GM aluminum-head engines are VERY UNFORGIVING when it comes to being overheated. The heads usually warp, resulting in blown head gaskets and repeated overheating like you are describing. One of the main symptoms will be that you fill the cooling system and open the bleader screws to get the air out of the system. Then you start the engine and run it until the cooling fan comes on. When the fan comes on, place your hand behind the cooling fan and see if the air coming through the radiator is HOT. If it is blowing cool air, the coolant is not flowing through the radiator like it should. This is usually caused by high pressure in the cooling system due to combustion gasses getting in.

Just pop your hood and look on left side for the underhood electrical center. On the inside cover is fuse information which will tell you which fuse is the 20 Amp minifuse for Cigar Lighter/Aux Power Outlet. Of course if cover is missing then you will need more information. It is the only 20 Amp (Yellow) fuse in the center so shouldn't be hard to find (#34 on label). Lower Left Quadrant assuming this fuse label shows stuff in car position.