'05 Malibu Electrical Issue(s)

2.2 engine, around 60k miles:

Clock keeps resetting to 12:00 randomly. Is this another "known problem" with these cars? Also seems to blow lamps (directionals) more frequently than it should.

Nope, not a "known" issue as far as I know.

I'll bet it's time for a new battery......

I think they said it was the original battery (since they bought it used in 2006). It looks pristine to me - clean as brand new. Never heard of sporatic power outages like this with a battery, but I guess it's possible...

The battery in my 2004 Maxx lasted just over 2 years, so if that's the original battery, it's overdue. When mine went, it just went, without any warning. Fortunately, it happened at home.

The battery in my 2004 Maxx lasted just over 2 years, so if that's the original battery, it's overdue. When mine went, it just went, without any warning. Fortunately, it happened at home.

My 04 Malibu Z body battery is over 4 years, what is going on.

Just checked the build date on the door and the car was built in July '04, so the battery is 4 years old. Everything seems to be working OK - except these apparent spurious clock resets. I was thinking it was a wiring issue, but I'm not about to pull the dash apart or go fishing for loose wires on a 4-year old car without other people telling me this is a common problem with these cars and here's where to look...

They also say the dash is impossible to read during the day. I guess it's digital and the sun washes it out. That's a common problem with these kinds of displays, right?

For dim dash display have you tried turning up the brightness control? It's the small knob that sits on the dash near the drivers left knee

My Feb. 04 2.2L Malibu has its original battery and it's still going strong. I have had random clock resets about 3 times over this period. The radio presets also get erased. I suspect that radio interference from passing mobile communications such as ambulances etc. are to blame. I think the interference comes in via the antenna in the rear window and then into the body control module. The key fob is a radio link to the BCM so a strong RF signal could easily get in as well and confuse everything.

Note - this is only a theory!

Tried that knob and it didn't appear to do anything. Maybe that's the problem. Doesn't feel stripped, but maybe it is. You'd think that a car this new wouldn't have such a problem, though...

I also think the brightness control is your problem. It should adjust the brightness over a wide range. I don't have any info about it. I think there is a small control module. I have heard that they can give problems. Don't tear the dash apart for clock resetting issues. I don't think you'll find anything. I've learnt to live with mine. Other than that I'm happy with the car. Ive checked highway mpg and I'm getting 37mpg.

If there is a rattle at rear right side check the gas cap. The top of it rattles. I fixed it by fitting a locking gas cap.

No right rear rattle complaints with their car. Also, they seem to like their Malibu, too - but the gas mileage isn't very good (they say). I drove it the other day and it seemed very peppy and nimble, but the brakes were in bad shape. They stopped the car OK, but it felt like someone had turned the rotors and done a very poor job of it. As far as reading the dash (and clock), they're right - it's nearly impossible. I kept cupping my hand around the clock trying to read it, but even then it was very hard.

Control module on the brightness control? Don't think I can do anything about that while I'm here. Not much time left...

The clock brightness is also controlled by the same knob. It might be that the control module sits behind the knob and would be easy to get at. I have a vague recollection of having seen a photo of one. The control potentiometer is mounted on the small circuit board. I don't want to mislead you though so be careful. I might be wrong.

I also find the 2.2L engine surprisingly peppy and it has very good low end torque. I think it is a very under rated car. Brakes are also very good.

Well, my '04 Maxx is a total disaster. Hello, Toyota.

Brakes have gone 3 times, and it only has less than 40K on it. Now the DIC says "Power Steering". I assume it needs fluid (thanks Chevy dealer for checking that last time I was in. Recently.) Steering seems fine to me....

This car is a mess.

I thought the 04 Maxx had EPS - electric power steering so does not use fluid. Please correct me if I am wrong. There was a recall for 04 model Malibu power steering assemblies. Was yours changed? Mine was changed even though I never had a moments trouble with the original.

Yes, EPS, no fluid. The computer has detected a problem with the steering and needs to be checked by the dealer.

I'd like to know what the problem was with the EPS when it has been sorted out. Please let us know.

You're absolutely right about EPS and no fluid. My bad.

It does it for a few minutes a day and then disappears for hours.

Yes, the front end has been worked on several times, but only the suspension, not the steering. That problem was supposedly fixed on vehicles built after 2/04 and mine was built in late 4/04.

I've been getting the infamous "check DAB" on the radio again (and XM cuts out), but I don't think that has anything to do with the "Power Steering" indication.

I've also seen the ABS malfunction idiot light a few times recently.

I'll try taking it in Friday morning, but I NEED the car for a road trip next week and I'll bet they want to keep it for the usual 2-5 days. TG I have the extended warranty, but this is getting way beyond annoying.

Just like my '98 Malibu. Once I made the final payment, I began living at the dealership. And I see that the '08s are far from trouble-free, judging by posts in other forums on the 'Net.

Well, I took my Maxx in to my trusty dealer today (I DO like my Chevy dealer), and the diagnosis was "steering column torque sensor shorted out; replace steering column".

Thanks GMPP, for the free new steering column! GMPP has now almost paid for itself (I've used GMPP before).

The dealer said that this happens a lot to '04 and '05 sedans and Maxxes. They obviously had the parts in stock. My hunch, based on past experience with the prior gen Malibu (where '97 and '98 problems made the way all the way to the '03s), is that '06s and '07s will see these problems too, eventually.

Thanks for that update. Glad to see that its been sorted out. I had my 04 Malibu steering column changed in 05 under GM's recall so I hope there will not be any trouble for me down the road. The original steering column never gave a hint of trouble however. The torque sensor is an electronic component that can easily be upgraded so hopefully the problem has been sorted out. I really like the light feel of the steering. Some people complain that it's too light but I like it as it is.