car randomly shuts off

60

Asked by animal Aug 01, 2020 at 07:59 PM about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ 1LZ FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I recently purchased a 2013 Chevy Malibu LTZ.
About a month ago, it started to randomly shut off
while I was driving but come back on. The power
steering stops, and no lights come up on the dash
when it comes back on. The first few times it
happened, when turning back on it displays "2 key
fobs detected". A few people have told me the
battery in my key fob could be going dead. So I put
a brand new battery in. After a month of being fine,
today my car decided to do this again. Not once
but 4 times within 20 minutes. This time, when
turning back on it displayed "service power
steering". Im not sure what to do as there is no
service engine light or any other light being
displayed. The power steering fluid was checked
and its fine. My car will turn off for just a second
and immediately turn back on. The steering wheel
will lock up. Everything goes back to normal once
its back on. Any ideas? TIA

5 Answers

158,205

With the 2 key fob message I'd suspect a security system problem. Possibly the BCM (Body Control Module). The PCM (Powertrain Control Module) must receive a fuel enable signal from the BCM for the engine to run. If the signal is lost, even when driving, the PCM will shut down the fuel injectors and the engine will stall. This will set a trouble code in the PCM but will NOT make the check engine light come on and stay on! To determine if this is what is going on, visit your local auto parts store and have them scan the PCM for trouble codes. If the fuel enable signal lost trouble code is in the PCM, that's what your problem is. You'll need to have your local Chevrolet Dealer make the repairs. I wouldn't trust anyone else to do it for you correctly! Hope that helps! Jim

2 people found this helpful.
10

Our 2014 Chevy Cruz was doing that and it turned out to have a recall on it. Something about the connector to the negative on the battery. The dealer fixed it at no cost. Always check online for recalls when there is a problem- sometimes the dealer or mechanic won't know about it.

1 people found this helpful.
10

Did you figure it out having the same problem already tried changing the cable thanks

1 people found this helpful.
60

It ended up being one of the fuse boxes on the battery that was getting too hot from the engine. I cant remember which one.

1 people found this helpful.

I have a 2013 malibu LT and sometimes it has a hard time starting has not had this problem after I changed a cracked line (idk what it was dealership found it when doing a oil change I bought the part through them and out it on myself $20) after that it quit having the starting problem but fast forward 2 months later now it randomly will shut off when car comes to a stop doesn't do it all the time but has done it once with me and twice with my wife.... there are no check engine lights. I'm down to the fuel pump or fuel injectors but I've seen some videos saying it could be the battery but no one has a definite answer and everytime I take it in to someone the car runs perfectly fine even holding over night the dealers the mechanic shops can not figure it out and there is no history of a check engine code

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