A couple of months ago, I had an incident with my 2001 malibu. I went to crank the car, and it made a terrible screeching noise. The car would not crank, and all the gauges would not come on. Also, the radio would not come on. I was afraid to drive the car. The next day, I received a recall letter. I waited to drive the car until I could take it in for the recall. It cranked up just fine. The recall was only for the keys. Well, some weeks have passed. Now this evening, I have had another incident. The car cranked up fine, but the fuel gauge would not come on nor the radio. I drove the car. When I went to turn it off, the same screeching noise returned. What's going on? Is my car safe to drive?
I have replaced alot of ignition switches for problems like this. The screeching noise under the hood is usually the starter etaying partially engaged from the faulty ignition switch. The first thing I would do would be have the switch replaced by as professional,because the wiring going to switch sometimes burns and causes issues.
The Mechanical part and transmission ,engine etc are fine and will not be affected by electrical issues. Other than just failing to start or operate properly. If your asking is it going to blow up or cause other damage No, No it will not. But it can leave you stranded in a no start condition with the key chip problem. Which is maybe a chance you have to take if you need to drive the car to do shopping for food etc if you have a second car drive it to be fixed if not you have to drive it till it stops. Maybe your dealer has a loaner car for you to borrow in the mean time. And that screeching is more than likely a belt if anything NOW if it is a grinding sound like the starter engaging and disengaging do not drive it . Be safe, have a plan ,keep tow numbers with you and important numbers. If it is a winter situation snow and what not. If you must go out keep blankets flashlight and some water in the car just in case and keep your cell fully charged. Just be safe.
It's possible the ignition switch itself is the culprit, as it controls power to all of those things. The car is probably safe to drive as long as it starts up, but I'd look into getting a new switch for it ASAP.
Where does the screeching noise seem to originate from?
SOURCE: 2001 Malibu fuel and temp gauge not working
First Thing, Check BOTH Fuse Boxes. One under the Dash on the Drivers side and One under the Hood Probably on the Drivers Side up close to the Firewall.
I had a similar problem with a 2001 Saturn. We checked every fuse and they were all fine. We finally did a 'reset' on the car's computer by disconnecting the battery and reconnecting it a few minutes later. Everything was back to normal after that.
SOURCE: quits like fuel pump goes out but has good fuel pres new delco
i had the same problem and it died out of town got it towed and it was the fuel pump fuse and that was it they are famose for it
SOURCE: 1998 Chevy Malibu : Won't Start
I would check the fuel pump turn key on do not start or turn engine over just until dash lights up and you should hear a grunt sound come from back seat area if you do not hear this grunt your fuel pump is not working.Also if you have a check engine light on you should have your can scaned with a OBD 2 scan tool to retreve and faults the cars computer might be undrer going.
76 views
Usually answered in minutes!
Hmm. I had it serviced in september when it failed to start up. Looking at that bill, they replaced an ignition lock cylinder and pass-lock sensor. The noise is very pronounced in my right ear. I'd say its coming from the area between the ignition and radio.
×