2005 Chevy Malibu Classic won't start

150

Asked by Zebrachic May 23, 2014 at 12:03 PM about the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My 2005 Chevy Malibu Classic keeps having a starting issue and noone can figure it
out!  It wants to start, but doesn't turn over.  I've had nothing but problems since I
bought this car a year ago.  Anyway, it starts up fine when it's nice and cool out.  
When it gets real hot/humid out, it doesn't want to start at all.  I have to wait until the
car cools off before it will even start.  Does this make any sense to anyone??  
PLEASE HELP ME!!!  I can't take it anymore!!!

17 Answers

25,275

1/When it's nice and cool out and it starts fine - does it continue to run fine when the engine (and engine compartment) gets nice and hot? 2/ Then you say when it's hot out (engine cool I'm taking) it won't start PLUS 3/if the engine compartment is hot (ie: has been running ) it won't restart?

20 people found this helpful.
25,275

If I laid out 1,2,3 correctly (that's what I think you were saying) then try disconnecting the mass air flow sensor. If it starts under 1,2,&3 then you know where to look.

7 people found this helpful.
150

Yes, it runs just fine after I get it started ALTHOUGH I'm starting to notice while driving that it wants to lose power and seems like it wants to die, but it doesn't. Seems like it loses its power, then will gain it back. Like, it bogs down and gets the speed up again??? Yes, when the temp outside is hot and engine cool, it doesn't start. And sometimes after I finally get it started, it dies real quick then takes a while to start AGAIN!! Everyone tells me it's the Theft system, but when I had key in "On" position the other day for 10 mins and went to start, it still wouldn't start until my 3rd try of starting it. It's confusing?? It seems like it's ONLY doing this when the temp outside gets HOT and inside of my car is Hot. I NEVER have a problem in the morning starting my car. Starts RIGHT up!! One day driving home (the only time) it just plain died on me in middle of street and couldn't get started for another 45 mins or so. It wasn't too hot out and was rainy......... But mostly when I finally get it started, runs fine????

15 people found this helpful.
70

I have the same car as u and it is doing the same thing right now did u ever find out what was wrong so I have a place to start with it bc no one where I live can think of why it could be doing it

7 people found this helpful.
230

Girlfriends car is having same problem try going to rear fuse box and look at panel swap fuel pump relay with another relay that looks identical same numbers. Also tap on fuse box with hand. I believe problem is the rear fuse box is a board and gets hot and cracks and kills fuel pump. When messing around with it you can get it to make connection. I am a mechanic and will be replacing rear fuse box shortly try this and let me know.

10 people found this helpful.
30

My 2008 does the exact same thing and none of the shops can figure it out! If you find out the answer please update it here

3 people found this helpful.
10

Replacing the rear fuse box will fix it for a little while.. It's something in the wiring

1 people found this helpful.
230

Have you found the issue in the wiring. Car has been good for a while I want to take old fuse box apart and look for a cold solder joint or crack. Cause when car wouldn't start I had power coming into box but not leaving

4 people found this helpful.
260

try checking grounds on motor i have a2004 lost ground and died trased ground to side of motor replaced ground the ground effects all module and computer

6 people found this helpful.
230

So I have had rear fuse box in for over a month and all is good so far will continue with updates.

5 people found this helpful.
100

Same thing happened to my car. The mechanic is saying it has to do with the ignition and the key. The car isn't recognizing the key and puts the car into theft system.

10 people found this helpful.
230

OK so car finally messed up again and I checked everything found a spread terminal in connect going into rear fuse box. Was actually the wire that would send power from relay to the fuel pump. IDK if you want to try but next time your car won't start pop trunk and to the left there is a fuse box grab a hold of wiring harness going to rear and give it a wiggle may or may not lead you in the right direction. Found my problem hope this helps. I am a mechanic myself and took a while to find because it is not consistent. Good luck.

4 people found this helpful.
20

I have a 2005 chevy malibu classic 2.2 four cylinder and my doesn't have fuel pressure but i can take the valve stem out of the fuel rail and turn the key on and it will shoot fuel out and then i put the valve stem back in it and it still won't start and if i spray starting fluid in the motor and then it will start and run for a few seconds and then it quits

2 people found this helpful.

I have a 2005 chevy malibu classic 2.2 four cylinder and the only thing was wondering with It was the fuel pressure regulator and that made the check engine light come on by so I replaced that now car won't start

10

Car starts turn it off won't start again until I turn key off and on 8times why

1 people found this helpful.

I have a 2005 Malibu. Fuse box under hood next to the computer had a hairline crack in the wire circuit. The wire lost connection from heat under hood not from current flow. When cooled down, wire reconnects and car will restart. The fuse box has to be taken apart to trace the wire. See post on You Tube. google " 05 malibu won't start when hot"

My 2005 Malibu started doing this around 80K miles. At around 100K miles I changed the spark plugs/wires (to Bosch platinums), no effect. Just hit 219K miles, and after changing the plugs/wires (to NGKs) at 118K, I also removed the throttle body and gave it a good cleaning. The engine side was covered in oily carbon buildup. Cleaned it with spray cleaner as well as a rag with acetone. Removed all the grime. Now it starts up every time with no hesitation, even when hot. It's a quick job, worth a try if you're having this issue.

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