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Additionally, today I encountered a situation where I turned off the car while it was tuned to XM, when I started it 30 minutes later it was tuned to AM and had a CHECK DAB message that shortly cleared. HELP!
In summary Maxx4Me is 100% correct. But it takes me about 4 times as long to explain. Here goes........
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Dealer missed reading another document that would have told him what to do to fix this (PI01535A)
You can do it yourself it you want to give it a shot. It will only take a minute. Then you can charge him (LOL).
You will need a flashlight
Open passenger front door
Kneel down and remove the front console cover. It has a big symbol for a fuse on it. It is designed to be accessed by customer so don't worry.
Pull on forward edge of the cover and pull it off. There is some velcro type stuff on the front and on the back it dovetails into the console itself.
Remove the panel but keep it handy. Turn it over and look at the back side. You will see fuse usage information in the electrical module underneath this cover.
You will want to orient the panel so it matches the position fuses and you can tell which is which - good thing you have a flashlight!
Now make sure your ignition is turned off
Look closely at the fuse panel information and find the name "HVAC CTRL (BATT)". It is on bottom row 2nd from end. Now find the corresponding fuse in the electronic module that was under the panel. It is a red 10 Amp fuse.
Now with the fuse puller available in the fuse center, pull out this "HVAC CTRL (BATT)" fuse. Wait approximately 10 seconds and plug it back in.
Turn on ignition and see if your HVAC control head is now working. If it still doesn't you might want to pull out the fuse again and go eat dinner or something and come back in 15-20 minutes and reinstall.
If all is good then put your fuse puller back where it belongs and reinstall the fuse panel cover. It is a little tricky, just align the dove-tail in the back and slide it in as you seat the panel in front.
Or just print this out and give to your dealer.
Post back on your results
2004 Malibu VIN and build dates
18xxxx: Feb 25, 2004 --> March 12, 2004
19xxxx: March 12, 2004 --> March 27, 2004
22xxxx: April 29, 2004 --> May 13, 2004
VIN digit of "4" in 10th position indicates a vehicle is from 2004 model year. If it is a "5" that means 2005 model year.
Switch from 2004 to 2005 model year was on June 11, 2004.
e2helper: did I say all that???
I can give you a little advice on what tires *not* to buy: I had Goodyear Aquatred 3 on my old car and while they weren't too bad for the first 10K miles or so, the noise level became excruciating after that point. The OEM Firestone FR680s weren't much better in that regard, and they were a horrible tire in every other respect.
Actually, I kind of like the Bridgestones.
would also agree that the Maxx is a very quite car as compared to others that I have owned and driven....it seals tight..I didnt notice air coming thru the door panel around the window switches..however I had the sunroof open windows up...doing 75 on the interstate..close the sunroof and the draft went away...overall I believe the car seals tight when all the windows and sunroof are closed.
I bought the car in Feb.04. The VIN is
1G1ZS54F157547. You say a VIN digit of "4" in 10th position means a 2004 model year. It seems I have a "5". Does that mean a 2005 model year?
The door sticker says manufactured 01/04.
It's 1G1ZS54F54F157547
First a sample VIN;
1G1ZT64884F217972 (hope this isn't anyone's - LOL)
Now what each digit means:
1= U.S.A. - country of origin:
G= GM - Manufacturer
1= Chevrolet - Make of vehicle
Z= Malibu is "Z" carline
T= LS model (BTW S=base, U=LT and W=SS new for 2006)
6= Maxx body (5=sedan)
4= Front/Side airbags (2=Front airbags only)
8= 3.5L V6 engine (F=2.2L L4)
8= check digit (calculated based on a formula)
4= 2004 model year (5=2005)
F= Fairfax, Kansas (Assembly Plant)
217972 = sequence number
If anyone found that interesting please post back to let me know
What is the general reputation of the Fairfax assembly plant? It seems some plants are known for turning out top-notch quality and others aren't.
As I've said before, this is great being able to find out all this info on my vehicle. How'd we live without this great web-based resource?
Thanks again for this and all previous info.
My car: '05 Maxx LT 1SB Black/Gray VIN 5F156538
e2helper, I also appreciate your posts - it helped give me more confidence in my purchase. Can you tell me my build date? I am a sucker for the back story on my car.
http://oswaldp.freepolls.com/cgi-bin/pollresults/001
Buyers Age Poll...How old are you if you bought a Maxx
http://chevymaxx.freepolls.com/cgi-bin/pollresults/001
I wonder why CARFAX has my MAXX LS as 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX BASE? Is there any MAXX base?
09/16/04
Looks like you got the rear seat audio system which should have included wireless headphones. Could you confirm that? We were just talking about this earlier.
were not exactly correct. Try these to actually paticipate:
Buyers color poll....for the color of your maxx
http://oswaldp.freepolls.com/cgi-bin/polls/001/poll_center.htm
Buyers Poll...How old are you if you bought a Maxx
http://chevymaxx.freepolls.com/cgi-bin/polls/001/poll_center.htm
I picked it up on Oct. 18. Should I check with the dealer?
The same thing happened to my Malibu manufactured in October 2003. I had it repaired (steering column replaced) at my local dealer...no hassle; the fault code was stored...the mechanic who did the work said this was the third instance he has seen in this (medium-sized) agency. This was done about 600 miles ago, and no problems since the replacement. You SHOULD be concerned...I am 76 years old, and had my wife been driving when it failed, I am convinced she could not have turned the front wheels to exit the highway. Friction is increased to the point elderly people can't handle it! In earlier posts I reported conversations with GM customer relations who left me with the impression their only concern is that it had been fixed properly...safety possibilities were not open for discussion. This individual denied there was anyting in their data base on this defect. I reported my experience to the NHTSB and have had 2 replies from them...they are conducting an investigation on the Malibu. It is interesting to see the Edmunds long-term test car also failed (ref August 2004 report.) Finally, last week another GM rep called to see how its' going, and after an extended conversation he agreed to give me a GMCustomerCare policy for 3 years (free oil changes, tire rotations, and other scheduled maintaince items.) Better then nothing I suppose, because if the steering continues to perform ok, I like the car and will keep it. If it fails again, I will dump it at any cost...I don't have that many years remaining to take the chance
I thought it was 4 quarts from what I was told but I guess you have to let the dipstick be your guide
I am stirring things up on this
These are the same headphones used on DVD player, it is just that system also comes with a remote control.
Not sure if this is was a misbuild by assembly plant or dealer was confused because the 2004 model had a different system used wired headphones only (which aren't supplied with vehicle).
I would suggest you check again with dealer given this information. This is being checked into further.
I did not argue, but noted the cruise control remains useless on all but nearly level roads(still cycles between 4th and third) - will write it off at this point and hope someday GM figures out how to make it work with a 4 speed (cruise controls in the Ion auto and Trail Blazer worked quite well).
If dealer still indicates they don't think that the vehicle is supposed to have headphones you might want to suggest they contact the Technical Assistance Center help line for confirmation.
interesting comment on the cruise control...I dont seem to have that problem but admit not driving hills and mountains....but rolling hills in NOVA and thru NC/SC dont seem to bother the cruise......when you say cycles thru..does it do it several times...or just downshift once to maintain the speed..then return to fourth?
Since it was only released for production in May 2004 your vehicle would have had to been reflashed by dealer after that in order to have it. Dealer told you the PCM flash is current but it can't be the case unless they updated it at some point
CAL ID:12592927
P/N: 12592928
New calibration with diagnostic enhancements for DTC P0340. Also improvements for starting, idle quality, and shift stabilization affecting 3-4 upshift.
Another thought.........
Was your vehicle reflashed at that clinic you attended in April? That might have been a way your PCM was updated by someone other than the dealer.
interesting comment on the cruise control...I dont seem to have that problem but admit not driving hills and mountains....but rolling hills in NOVA and thru NC/SC dont seem to bother the cruise......when you say cycles thru..does it do it several times...or just downshift once to maintain the speed..then return to fourth?