2002 Malibu won't start

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Lee3030 - 05 Aug 2009 10:29 GMT

2002 malibu, Intermittent problem

The fuel filter, fuel pump relay, battery, and Ignition switch have
been replaced.($$$$) Also, NO CODES!!!!! Someone said it may be the
Crankshaft Postion Sensor. But I think it should show codes if that
was the problem.

Also, we did the yellow wire mod to disable the passlock system,
thought that fixed it, but again, it won't start w/o the 10 min wait.
(intermittent)

If you follow the 10 min procedure, it will start, (key to run, wait
10 mins, turn key, starts.)

Any ideas?

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russg - 06 Aug 2009 03:54 GMT

> 2002 malibu, Intermittent problem
>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Any ideas?

You say it won't start. Then you say you have the intermittent
passlock 10 minute wait to start. Which is it?
If it is the passlock, you've tried all I've heard of.
Is your driver door lock switch broken? It may be that
replacing a broken door lock switch might help.

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Lee3030 - 09 Aug 2009 10:07 GMT

> You say it won't start. Then you say you have the intermittent
> passlock 10 minute wait to start. Which is it?
> If it is the passlock, you've tried all I've heard of.
> Is your driver door lock switch broken? It may be that
> replacing a broken door lock switch might help.

Thanks for the reply, the doors locks work fine.

I should have said it turns over but does not fire. Sometimes it
starts as soon as the starter spins. Sometimes not, and that is when
the 10 min reset, (by stop watch) is used and it starts every time.
There seems to be a lot of problems with the passlock system on GM
products. Not just Malibu. Of course, GM now = GOVERNMENT motors, they
are on death watch.

The funny thing is the GM dealer acts like they have never heard of
this issue. Lying bastards! This is a well known problem! Someone
emailed me the instructions to bypass passlock with a resistor. When I
have time, I'll do that.
Google: "passlock disable" or similar.

Thanks.

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Sharky - 06 Aug 2009 23:07 GMT

You can install a Passlock disabler inline with the yellow/orange sensor
wire (ignition switch), and that will disable the theft system completely.
They only cost about $30, which is much cheaper than a new ignition switch,
and replacing that will only prolong the problem for so long anyway. You
may still see the theft light come on from time to time, but the system
should be disabled, when the Passlock disabler is wired correctly. I kow
that this works well, because the 2001 Monte Carlo I am currently driving is
wired up the same way. When I stop to pick up a passenger on my way to work
in the morning, I shut the car off but don't remove the key. When I restart
the car, the symbol for the Theft System usually displays in the DIC (driver
info center), and will stay on for the whole trip. Its a bit annoying, but
the Passlock has not stopped the car from starting since I bought it two
years ago, because of the disabler.

Until this is fixed, whatever you do, while that light is flashing, DO NOT
try to start the vehicle, as you'll only shorten the life of the starter.
We had a chevrolet company van that had the same problem, and when the light
started flashing, one of the workers had no idea what the light meant and
kept trying to start the van, until he eventually overheated and burned the
brushes out of the starter motor.

Good luck
Sharky

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Bob La Londe - 11 Sep 2009 15:13 GMT

> Until this is fixed, whatever you do, while that light is flashing, DO NOT
> try to start the vehicle, as you'll only shorten the life of the starter.
> We had a chevrolet company van that had the same problem, and when the
> light started flashing, one of the workers had no idea what the light
> meant and kept trying to start the van, until he eventually overheated and
> burned the brushes out of the starter motor.

Yeah, that's pretty much true with any starter motor. They are designed to
have a lot of torque for a very short period. You keep cranking on them and
you will cook them.

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