03 Malibu cranks but won't start ( not a passlock problem)

20

Asked by mastiffnomad Aug 13, 2014 at 09:58 AM about the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Ok it ran perfectly until it started overheating
so I replaced the water pump ( pain in the butt)
and t-stat, after I hooked the battery back up it
cranks but won't start.  I've put an obdii to it
and it has no codes the anti theft light is not
flashing. Fuel pump and filter are new , I have
fuel at fuel rail port. I've also replaced spark
plugs, spark plug wires, ignition switch, ignition
control moduel, crankshaft position sensor. I'm
at my Witt's end it should start but simply
won't.

17 Answers

Man, it's obvious you know WTF you are doing and have done everything right. But may I ask..overheat...how hot did it get?

5 people found this helpful.
20

It red lined and cut off on my way home after buying it for $400 only happened once and it was toed the rest of the way to avoid blowing a gasket

Yeah timing occurred to me but pump is not inside timing cover, unless you mean ignition timing and he did change crank sensor,

3 people found this helpful.
143,705

When it ran hot,may have heatedtiming belt,causing belt to strech and jump.Not my first time seeing this happen on a malibu. You replaced pump,now want start.Check the timing.

3 people found this helpful.

Yeah timing occurred to me but pump is not inside timing cover, unless you mean ignition timing and he did change crank sensor, Cam sensor does injector timing, crank does ignition timing

1 people found this helpful.
143,705

I had the same thing happen to a 2001 malibu water pump went bad,car ran hot,replaced pump,car would not start,and gave no code,s,i checked timing,and it had heated belt,and jumped two teeth,i was lucky no head damage.

20

On the 03 Malibu it has a timing chain not belt so there's no stretch

1 people found this helpful.
143,705

Good,glad yours, had chain,since that is not your issue,then check for fire.Then check fuel.IF you have both,you may have head damage from over heating.

1 people found this helpful.
143,705

If it cut off when over heated,check compression ,this will let you know if you have head damage.

3 people found this helpful.
20

That's what I was afraid of well at least it didn't cost me much. Looks like I'll be spending Saturday taking the engine apart. Thanks for the help

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