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1997 Malibu Won't Start


stewartsrus
01-03-2009, 09:40 PM
I have a 1997 Malibu with the V6. I think I have or have had more than 1 problem going on. The car has ran almost perfect since I got it a couple of years ago. I say almost because I have had a couple of times in the past when I wasn't able to start the car but it did start each of those times just by several tries of turning the key off and trying again. However, a couple of weeks ago, it left me stranded for the first time. I went out to start the car and it would not hit a lick. No starting then shutting down in 4 seconds... no fire at all. I trailered it home and did not bother it for a couple of weeks. I have decided it was time to get it running again. I stuck the key in it and it started like it always has and like it never had a problem. Shut it off and started it back many times without any problems. I drove it New Years day and then tried to drive it to work the next day and it started with a ticking noise from under the hood (I think injectors) then the car died and would not start back. I put a cam sensor on it yesterday and the car started right up but with the ticking again. The ticking was coming from the injectors but quietened down in a minute and the car was running fine. I thought maybe that I had found the problem. Started the car a bunch of times and it was just as if there was never a problem. Went to start the car this morning to drive to work and it started, had some ticking (injectors again I think) and then died after 30-45 seconds and hasn't started since. I have tried a new lock cylinder, a new ignition switch, I forgot to say I had put a crank sensor on. I was not getting the flashing security system warning. The bulb test is the only indicator for that except when I tried the new lock cyl. I give it the 10 minute reset and it has gone away. The fuel pump runs every time the key is turned on. Checked plug wires with a spark tester and showed none. I have tried to put all information I know about in this short post :uhoh: but I am sure I forgot something or didn't answer everything. I am wondering if the pcm could be the problem. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Ken

stewartsrus
01-05-2009, 08:26 AM
Anyone???

stewartsrus
01-06-2009, 01:58 AM
To keep everyone from feeling they need to jump in with help... I found a bad connector on the ignition module. It was the purple and yellow wires connected on the driver's side of the module. Went to the junk yard and picked up a replacement and spliced in and problem solved.

Ken

Johnny R
01-06-2009, 01:23 PM
Now Ken - if I could have helped I would have. But you don't want a bunch of useless messages. :)

stewartsrus
01-06-2009, 01:52 PM
Thank you Johnny. It would have only been useless if you had told me something like check the tire pressures or when was the last time the car was washed. I wasn't trying to dog anyone with my response, just maybe helping someone in the future that may pull this one up looking for help with their Malibu that wouldn't start. Thanks for looking.

Ken

tjr19136
01-11-2009, 10:10 AM
proably it's your starter or thleft system lock........If it's your theft system, when you try to turn the car on you will get a message on the dash board in red:theft system.................. If it the starter you will get a loud tick sound...........

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