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:lemon: lemonade
Then they likely have to go thru some set-up procedure with OnStar operators to transfer account..
Granted, my tires are not the larger 215-65 R16s, so I roll a little better, and I have the sedan, which is slightly lighter and more aerodynamic. Still, this mileage is within three mpg of what my Chevy Prism (Corolla clone) with a 5 speed manual got. The Malibu is MUCH larger and more powerful than the Prism. I am very happy!
That represents about 60% highway at 65 mph, much of it with a/c on and the remainder local stop-and-go. And that daily commuting is over an 8.5 distance, each way, with about 10 stop lights or signs. The maximum posted speed on any segment is 45, and there's one very long red light at a five-way intersection. Even under those conditions, I still get about 24 to 25 MPG. And while I don't drag race with anyone, I don't baby the thing, either.
My mileage was a little bit lower during the first 2000 miles, but then it improved to where it is now.
living in the northern va area..here.....Im very happy with the car and mileage...I never go the 32plus MPG I see mentioned here
September 11, 2005
While driving I changed from the right to left lane. When I reached the other lane I realized the directional indicator was not flashing. I checked that I did actually have the stalk in position to actuate the directionals. I then switched it to the position for a right turn. Again there was no indication the directional was working. I then pulled it back to see if the high beam indicator would work and it did not. At this time I noticed the parking brake indicator light was on. I checked the position of the foot pedal and found that it was fully released. (I do use the parking brake regularly having spent the last sixteen years driving cars with manual transmissions.) I was unable to pull to the side of the road and see whether or not the lights were working when this happened. I was very near home and before I got there the problem was gone. I had driven about one quarter mile with this problem.
September 13, 2005
On my way to the dealership to have the car checked over I found that all the radio presets were gone. Also the radio was not on the station I had been listening to the previous night. (I am the sole driver of this car and no one else has any access to it)
September 14, 2005
After retrieving the car from the dealership, I preset four stations on the AM band of the radio and returned home. The car sat for about an hour and a half before I drove it again. When I did drive it again, the presets for the radio were gone again.
September 16, 2005
Received a call from the dealership inquiring about further issues. Reported the event of the 14th. Later that night I encountered a new problem. The left directional was flashing at twice the normal speed. I got out of the car at the intersection and found the left front light was not flashing. The left front running light was on. Upon returning home I checked the filament of that bulb and got continuity on both the running light and directional filaments. Testing the hazard lights I found them to flash at what seemed a normal speed. However the front left light did not flash.
Does anyone have any similar electrical problems to report? The service guy told me any repair should be covered under warranty, "unless it's mouse damage". I get mice in my garage.
It seems like the other data on the Driver Information Center is correct regarding time to next oil change, what is on the trip odometer, etc.
When I scheduled the appointment for the electrical gremlin they asked if there was anything else so I mentioned a slight clunk when turning the wheel. The steering column was already replaced under the "customer satisfaction program" (recall) early this summer. They replaced the steering column again this time!
Then, I also mentioned the TSB about the headrests which I learned of on this forum. It had been a slight nuisance, but not a problem. Now I decided to say something. The service guy comes back "well, I learned something today". He didn't know about the TSB from January '05! Don't the dealerships read these things? :confuse: I'm currently waiting for the new headrests to arrive.
I'm feeling a little uneasy as the :lemon: laws in this state cover only the first year of the car and I've had this for over 18 months.
Finally, it's a pleasant car to drive.
Would I buy it again? Can't be sure because it took a number of trips to the dealer to get all the problems remedied.
If your dealer were to use a diagnsotic tool on your vehicle he will find a fault code associated why the left front turn signal bulb is not working.
The directional indicator also left me in the lurch at a crucial moment only to start working again when the car was restarted. In this model too much has been left in the control of some unknown entity buried in the bowels of the vehicle.
In July of this year I had the signal problem that you describe on 9/16 -- very rapid flashing, right side only. A new bulb didn't solve the problem, so I went to the dealer. They determined that there was dirt of corrosion on the electrical connector to the socket. They cleaned the contacts and the problem has apparently been solved.
Regarding radio presets -- on two occasions within the past year, mine has lost all or part of its memory, for no apparent reason. I'm absolutely certain I was using the same key fob, and I have both of them programmed to the same stations anyway. I can't remember the last time it happened, but it has never recurred.
As with electronics sometimes: Go figure! :confuse: :confuse: :confuse:
See this site and look up "fix it right first time - car" and you'll see what a capacitor can do to solve a problem.
http://www.gmtechlink.com/images/issues/sep05/TLsept05e.html#story17
I've been searching through this forum for a couple of days but can't seem to find the TSB number for the latest (May '05, I believe) PCM Flash for an '04 Malibu LT sedan. I've experienced the hard starting and rough idle conditions several times since last November when I bought the car. I've also experienced the very annoying transmission howl.
I had the car in for a regular oil change and wanted the dealer to address several issues. One of which was the transmission howl. The dealer ordered the parts and is going to do the repair; changing sprockets and chain from 5/8 to 7/8, I believe. Any idea how long the repair will take?
The dealer was unwilling to look up any TSBs for the PCM flash as they weren't able to duplicate the hard start/rough idle. It took about 15 minutes of driving to duplicate the transmission howl as I couldn't remember what the circumstances under which it occurs. Because they weren't able to duplicate the hard start their only resolution was to tighten the grounds and state that the engine was operating to design.
If someone has the TSB number for the latest PCM flash, I'd appreciate if you could post it, please. If there is no TSB number, how does one request that dealer service flash the PCM to latest calibration? Thanks in advance!
I've also experienced an issue with the cruise control. While driving to Nova Scotia from Connecticut this summer, I noticed that when the cruise control would downshift the transmission from 4th to 3rd gear to climb a hill, when descending the hill or returning to a level road, the car would remain in 3rd gear. It would not upshift into overdrive again. There a lot of hills in Maine and Nova Scotia, so the result was that I did not use the cruise control
Again, the dealer was unable to duplicate the cruise control problem. Has anyone experiences a similar issue with the cruise control?
Also, the brakes started pulsating at 10,000 miles. Sometimes lightly but sometimes I would notice it more. The dealer seemed annoyed that I even mentioned it. Excuse me, but a new car with only 14,000 miles on it should not have pulsating brakes. In any case, he did resurface the rear discs, and it appears to have resolved the problem.
Are there any other issues that I should be looking into, TSB's, etc. At the rate that I'm piling on miles, my warranty will only last 2 years.
One further note; I decided to clean out my garage today and noticed a fresh oil spot/stain on the concrete. My house is only 3yrs. old and has not had any prior oil stains. I hope they didn't forget to tighten the oil drain plug! I'll have to have them check it when I bring it back for the transmission repair.
BTW, despite the several 1st year issues with the car, I love it. Great car, nice interior (neutral UltraLux), looks sharp (sharp Red colour), and comfortable seats on my 16-hour trek to visit my folks in Nova Scotia. Great job, GM! Have a good day!
Yes we have had previous posts on cruise control 3-4 shifts
PCM reflashes don't always (and most times don't) have TSBs associated with them. However your excellent observations readily points out to one software update that dealer should be able to find but here is a place you can go.
Do a Google search for keywords "GM Calibration" go to that site and enter your VIN and then follow menus to find available progression of PCM calibration updates for your vehicle. You will see the one talking about shift stabilization and 3-4 shift - that is what your cruise control issue is.
This site just doesn't reflect updates after your build, it reports everything associated with that configuration of vehicle so most of the software history shown is likely older than what is in your vehicle already.
You might even want to print out page and give to them. Good luck
Bulletin 04-06-04-080 is the calibration for V6 engine. For further info, do a "text" search on 'maxx4me' and 'pcm'
As for the tranny, my "anti-howl" retrofit took 2 days
For the past several months, each front seat heater has been coming on at will from one to several times a week. My dealer says he has no knowledge of a problem of this type, and I have found no TSB number to match it. We are sure that we are not accidentally turning the heaters on. Has anyone had a similar problem, or seen a TSB? :confuse:
Unfortunately the TSB doesn't indicate all of the things the new calibration addresses (it talks only about improving idle when engine warm), one of the additional ones is the cruise control complaint for 3-4 shifts. So you might need to focus on complaint addressed by TSB.
"Some customers may comment on a rough or unsteady idle when the vehicle is at full warmed to operating temperature."
BTW that TSB came out Nov 9, 2004. So it is not exactly late breaking news.
Hopefully, my dealer won't be one of those dealers who get upset when the customer brings in TSB information
Have a great day!
I did that once and came up with 2, dealer said $65 for each update even under warranty.
Again, the dealer was unable to duplicate the cruise control problem. Has anyone experiences a similar issue with the cruise control?
Before I had the PCM update described here, it did that. BUT! It also did it without the cruise. MAKE SURE you check to see if it does it when you are controlling the throttle. If it doesn't do the same thing (you will know, you'll have to let way up on the throttle to get it to upshift) then I'm betting the PCM update won't solve your problem. I had an issue with an '03 Malibu that would not upshift into fourth for miles under special conditions with the cruise. Because of that and some other problems GM bought it back as a lemon.
I bought a 2005 Malibu LT about a month ago and see that you are able to look up the build date for new car owners. Can you check mine to see when the new addition to my family was born? The last six are 320022. Thx.
Also, can anyone suggest the best way to fix a chipped spot in the paint. Took the car on a long road trip this weekend and it took it's first chip mark. Though after realizing I got 31.7 mpg going 71 mph (with intermittent A/C and some hills) I was very happy. I was able to drive almost 500 miles on one tank of gas! Much better than the 16 mpg I was getting on my old SUV. I can't believe I get this good of gas mileage with a V6. Great car so far.
Problem--when I apply the brakes, I hear a droning noise combined with some minor vibration. My 2005 Malibu LS has just over 12,000 miles on it. Has anyone else experienced this or heard of this?
Problem 2--I typically ride by myself during the day. Over bumps, the front passenger seatback rattles and moves. It IS set in place, bolted down, etc. I think I have a seatback that is defective. Has anyone experienced this?
Info--Does anyone know where I can purchase OEM mudflaps/mudguards and how much they cost?
Info2--Which trailer hitch (type 2 with 1 1/4 hole) works best with the car and is somewhat invisible? Cost? Does anyone have any pictures of the hitch installed?
Many thanks.
Tom
If just the exterior parking lights and interior dimming are not working then I would check to see if fuse for your parking lamps is open.
You didn't mention a model year so please post back that as well since parking lamp fuse/relay is in a different loction for 97-03 Malibu and the 04-05 Malibu
If anyone has one I'd like to hear about your installation, tapping into the lights and how happy you are with it. Pictures would be great too.
Hi Tom,
Well, I bought my molded splash guards for my '04 Malibu from the parts department of my Chevy dealer. I ordered them while accepting delivery of my car. The dealer had to order them. Just be sure to specify the 2004 Malibu. I did, but they still managed to order the set for the '97 - '03 Malibu. I discovered this when I had the wheel off to install the splash guard. I did a test fit and they just didn't fit.
I did a google search and found the http://www.gmpartsdirect.com site. There actually a little cheaper (not sure about shipping). I gave the dealer the part numbers from the site and he ordered the proper ones. They should be Part Numbers 12498916 and 12498917 for the custom molded Splash Guards. The description says a set of 4, but they are in fact 2 for the front and 2 for the rear.
I had the oil changed at my dealer and it seems to have been overfilled. I need to show something to the dealer as he refuses to agree that the V6 engine requires only 4 qts. of oil while the 4-cyl requires 5.
Can anybody clear this up and point me to an updated specification (if applicable)? Thanks in advance..
Brakes: I am taking my Maxx in on Monday. Hopefully they will agree to finally replace my rotors. I have had the dealer turn them already (10,000 miles). Now at 17,800, they are making the "droning" noise when I apply the brakes over 60 mph, or when giong down a hill.
Hitch: I put on the Reese Insta-Hitch Class II over a year ago. It did require some cutting by the installer to get it in. It has a Class II 1.25 inch square receiver hitch, and can haul/carry up to 3,500 lbs.
sblfromns: as for oil, the 3.5 liter engine does seem to want to take less than the posted amount of oil (5 quarts). For a while, I was only puting in only 4.5. I have since gone back to 5. As one who does his own maintenance, I think the problem occurs when trying to drain either the pan or the filter first. Now that I have an extra long pan, I open both up and leave them open until all the oil is out. I get the feeling there is a pressure issue, and if you leave the filter on when the pan is draining, the oil won't all come out.
This is Tom. Thanks for the reply. I was/am thinking that the rotors needed to be turned and will press the issue with the dealer. They said they could not hear anything but I think they need to have their hearing checked. The dealer is friendly and accomodating though. I may have to press them on replacing the rotors if that's the case but I don't know if it's the fronts or the back brakes or both.
Any pictures of your hitch? Is it practically invisible? How much did it cost you?
Thanks. Tom