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Comments
How does the car run?
If the car starts, you do not have a VATS problem. Since you didn't say anything about the car not cranking, I assume it runs okay. The VATS system prevents the car from cranking and the injectors from injecting fuel. It turns the security light on flashing for 3 minutes, then it's ready to read the resistance from the key chip again for the driver to try to start once more. But until then no cranking.
If your car has a theft & tampering system, that may be your problem. I have not had experience with the _security_ system portion of that light which involves theft prevention of the car by checking doors, trunk, etc. I have seen a few posts where prople suggest disconnecting the wire to the sensor on the trunk latch. They claim it fails and causes a security llight for the car theft/tampering portion.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
im at my whits end!!!
cant get no help form the dealerships all they want is money and no advice
i just dont know what too check next!!
brought car ran good for two days
started sputtering, fluttering and jerking
Changed plugs (split fires pre gap) and wires air filter OK, replaced brittle vac line
car ran good next day sputtering
Changed fuel filter let idle for 20 or so minutes to check for leaks
cut it off, re started, drove around block, put it in reverse to park, it cut off
crank but no start
Let engine cool, re checked my work, plugs/wires tight, filter (correct flow to engine)
force idle until it held, cat converter got glowing hot
pulled ECM code 44, O2 sensor/rich detected
crank no start
replaced plugs with AC/Delco standard w/spec. gap of 0.60
crank, start but stall unless I force idle (smell gas but no leaks)
pull pcv check for rattle, clean and put back
pull O2 sensor clean off, put back
pull EGR clean out, wire brush off put back
disconnected neg terminal reset and repulled codes just a 12, diagnostic mode
crank start and will hold idle after "babying" gas pedal (tach at 1200)
cat converter no glow (smell gas but no leaks)
put in drive, reverse will stall out unless I brake, accelerate, and put in gear
still stall when I try to drive.
would like to idle up to get to shop to real mechanic but cant find Idle adj screw.
Haynes manual shows nothing but says I have 1989 - 1991 3800 eng.
Also the engine will sometimes stop running if left to idle for about 10 minutes. Once while the hood was open I noticed a slight puff of air/steam come near the water pump and intake. Any suggestions?
PGFALCON
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Try turning the key to ON for 3 seconds, then OFF and back to ON. Repeat for 3 times total. Then turn the key to START. If the car seems to start faster, it may be losing pressure in the fuel line, usually a fuel pump problem.
If the plugs and wires aren't OEM iridium for plugs and OEM equivalent for the wires, I'd work on those.
The stalling could be a fuel pump.
I recommend NOT using premium fuel. The car was designed to run on 87. The higher octane leaves more crud in the combustion chamber because it's burning more slowly.
Find the fuel pressure regulator (on the metal fuel line on motor with a small vacuum hose to it) and remove the vacuum hose a look for fuel. If you get a strong smell of fuel it may mean the FPR is leaking.
You may need to have your MAF cleaned. The two fine wires pick up dust from the air. They sell sprays for MAF and air intake cleaning at the auto stores.
I'd save the money for the high octane and use regular, and the Lucas additive and just use an additive occasionally like every 10,000 miles at most.
Watch for seeps at the water pump and the connectors from intake manifold to bracket for tensioner. The o-rings can leak after aging.
Watch the level of coolant inside the radiator; dont' just check the reservoir. Sometimes a leak won't suck the coolant out of reservoir but will take in air causing the radiator to drop.
Check transmission drain and filter change. Should be 40K miles or so, but the manual says at 100K miles.
check the coolant quality. It should be changed every two years by draining and refilling with fresh coolant.
What color coolant do you have?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Dealer wants to replace the Mass Air Flow Filter for about $400.00. From what I can read this is not the problem. But I also don't read that there is an answer to this problem. Can anyone help be out here, can't see spending the money if it won't solve the problem. Car always restarts after a rest but the problem is still there and very dangerous as it just stops.
If not, then the fuel pressure must be tested while it's running and hopefully when it stalls. Since it needs a short rest to "cool"? that might indicate a pump. Get a fuel pressure gauge from a store that loans them and tape it to the windshield while you drive (need longer hose?) and watch for the stall and see what the fuel pressure is at that time. Luckily pumps in the 2003 are accessible through the trunk!!!
Or a crankshaft position sensor. But those are in the mid 90s cars that crankshaft position sensors occasionally give. Splashing cold water on a sensor is supposed to help it restart as a test for the symptom.
MAFs can be removed and cleaned. Replace only with a GM brand for best success. If someone has an equivalent one to substitute for yours to drive a while and see if the problem goes away, that's ideal. Does someone have a parts car for you?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Liking your fuel pressure gauge thing when it stalls out no reaction to apply gas petal.
Just not buying dealers MAF theroy
Thanks
It might need cleaning. Some cars get the throttle plate area gunked up with crankcase fumes that condense in the entrance to the upper intake manifold when the car is shut off.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Good Luck!
I didn't think even the quality MAF sensors cost $400. I'll be more careful with mine the next time I spray it and use a camel artists brush to clean it--that's a lot of money. I'm trying to check on price to see if I can learn more.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Fuel pump failure with low pressure at times gives poor mixture affecting running. Some auto parts box stores loan fuel pressure gauges that you connect at the Schraeder valve on the motor on the fuel line.
Check crankshaft position sensor just under the edge of the harmonic balancer.
Does not set a code if it's starting to fail. Tap it to see it that effects a start. Splash cold water on it sometimes has been said to fix it when it starts failing.
Check spark control connections under the coils. Remove each coil and inspect the contacts. Check the connector at the end of the plate for poor contact.
Try removing the MAF sensor lead and see if it starts and runs better. Might need cleaning on the two little wires. Use a liquid MAF cleaner spray. Do not touch wires.
Have spark plugs and wires been kept in good condition? They are supposed to go 100K but 80K is a nicer time to get them replaced with factory quality wires and AC plugs.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Any ideas what else I could check for?
Fuel pressure regulator is silver cylinder on top of fuel rail at right side with one vacuum line going to it.
How do you know your heater core must be replaced? Leaking?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
What did you do with the keys for the old column? Did you switch the lock cylinder to the replacement column?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
:confuse:
You might have a battery that has given up the ghost.
You mmight have a battery cable not making connection, usually at the battery and you'll have to disconnect cables to check for corrosion.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
If it's the VATS system, it should come on when the key is turned to ON and then go off within a few seconds. If it reads the wrong key chip resistance, the security light flashes for 3 minutes. After that it goes off and the TDM is ready to read a new resistance reading from the key. Vehicle Anti Theft System. Theft deterrent module.
The reasons for wrong chip readings are dirty chip. Clean with pencil eraser.
Worn contacts inside the key lock cylinder that contact the chip on both sides of the key.
Breaking wires where the leads from the cylinder go through the steeering column where it flexes and the thin wires eventually start breaking, changing the resistance of the wires and the key.
The two thin wires are inside an orange outer cover where the leads go along to the bottom of the steering column.
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f53/vats-q-14866/
Search for VATS on google.com
Theft alarm installers put in a bypass resistor. I read they buy packs of the 15 resistances and have them. Might be worth paying someone just to bypass it even if you don't install an alarm if you don't want to try doing it yourself
IF that turns out to be what's happening.
Addon. My security light on my 98 has been going on and off for years. One of the failure modes of the TDM is to decide it has lost its mind and just quit without blocking starting. I think that's what has happened with mine.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Then I'd check the positive battery cables, cutting into the plastic near the ends looking at the integrity of the copper. Some people have reported deterioration due to acid from the battery terminal seeping and running down the cables.
AND pull the parts of the positive cables apart. Inspect the lead piece between them. Clean them up.
Does the car crank but now start or is there no crank? Power to the starter?
I'd have to look at power to the seats and windows. I would think those go to the relay panel on the firewall. Check the positive line feeding there for good connection.
Depending on those symptoms about whether the car will crank and not start or won't even crank.... try to use logic from there.
A good set of Helm factory service manuals from Ebay for 1999 probably a 3 volume set would help you a lot right now. If you shop, just be sure to get all the volumes and don't buy a substitute.
you also might use alldata at your local library to search out the wiring diagrams.
I do know also that some people have had trouble with the ground busses under the door sill plastic right where it meets the A pillar. They corrode due to moisture. They are wrapped in tape and bundled with the wires going along the sill to the rear. There is one on the passenger side also.
The power seats and window dropping out made me think of that. On my 93 the AC would default to basic with defrost and AC compressor engaged and the pwoer door locks would not work. I figured out it was the buss on the driver side. It rarely happened and I never got to fix it before we traded the car.
I do not know if there is any ground there for a car that's running that would cause it to turn off. A check would be to hit that area with your foot to vibrate the wires and cause the corrosion to make contact again.--worth a try.
But I'm betting on cable trouble at the battery. A few Bonneville people have put on new cables to replace some bad positive cables.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
If you can have the car up to get at the positive lead on the solenoid that comes from the ignition to be sure that the ignition is telling the starter to throw the solenoid to engage the full power to the starter that would be the good check.
Then you would know the problem is in the starter or the power cables to it.
That would determine that the starter switch is actually making contact to engage the starter as well.
NExt I'd check the ground cable at the battery that grounds to the floor. Loosen, clean, and retighten to get good connection. Then start checking the connections on the line for the starter--the positive red cables. I'd leave the ground cable off while I was troubleshooting the connections on the positives in case you ground a wrench to the frame while tightening, etc.
Check the connections on the red positive battery cable at the fuse block in the engine compartment. I assume that's where the most likely poor connection might be.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Any additional suggestions? Thanks for any input. :confuse:
The random seeming to work when tightening or loosening the cable connection can be the starter motor itself making connection or not.
Check inside your connectors at the battery to see if the cable is corroded by acid seep down the inside of the plastic covering (cut the plastic with a sharp knife).
The cables on a 92-99 are different than a 2000-2005+
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Second solution was security sensor. Don't where it is located on your 2000, but on my 96, it was located under the carpet near the door on the drivers side. It is about 2" long and narrow., Took cap off and clean diodes. They had picked up moisture from being under the carpet.
Hope this helps you.
Last Saturday she decided to take the rest of the day off after my wife & I came out of a store. Tried all the usual solutions but no dice.
Came back the following day, gave my wife the key, she gets in and VOILA! Running like a top again.
The car is the entry level Bonne W/nice options, 3.8 L,120K prox.
Anyone got an idea????
My question becomes, what part of the anti-theft system do I need to replace? On the 96, there is a some type of fuser module on the driver's side by the door, just under the carpet. I have cleaned that, and it seems to work for awhile.