Reset anti theft system on 2001 Chevy Malibu

The 2001 Chevy Malibu uses an anti-theft system to prevent your vehicle from being stolen. The anti-theft system sounds an alarm and cuts power to the ignition if the vehicle is broken into. ..........Insert the ignition key into the driver door lock. Turn the key counterclockwise. Turn the key clockwise to lock the door. Turn the key counterclockwise to unlock the door again. This will shut the alarm off and reset the system.

Well that anti theft systems works.... No one would want to steal it! -- Some parts of it acts like my '02 Pontiac Grand Am. It has a flashing security light, the ten minute wait and no fuel if the engine is spun. I don't have the door lock procedure that David described or the dash light / headlight black out that Stephanie described. It could be a problem with the body control module (BCM) that controls the electrical loads.

I looked at several ways on different sites, and the all were identical or very very close to that procedure for the Malibu, so I just picked the ehow one and pasted it verbatim

Thank you both so much. It turns out that my battery had some corrosion between terminal and cables, I cleaned it, charged it, and it started. Apparently it was the anti theft device causing the issue that began it and my bad connection caused the drain. It was very frustrating, but I am happy that it didn't cost me a fortune to fix.

I love happy endings

I have the same problem...a friend was selling me her malibu and it has been sitting for 3 or 4 months with a bad battery. we place the battery and still wont start...could it be the anti theft

If starter cranks engine but it won't start and "anti-theft system" light on dash is blinking then the anti-theft system is preventing fuel from reaching the engine. Just turn the ignition key to on position and wait for approx. 10 minutes and the blinking anti-theft will go off. Turn the key to off and then back to start and the car should start up. This has happened to our 2001 Malibu at least a dozen times over the years.

IT worked!! woo hoo i am a new mom who did not have the money to pay the dealership 5 to 8 hundred dollars to fix my chevy malibu when my car would not start. i turned the key on for ten min then off. and put the key in drivers door turned left. then right then back left and CAR STARTED.. thanks guys for help

What happened to Stephanie and her Malibu happened to me last saturday under an ice rain and without my cell phone..Usually leaving the key turned for 10 minutes would do the job, but this time the power went off completely as a mechanic last year told me that would happened to me one day with this sort problem with the alarm system. The light went off and it came back etc, the it was dead. I was lucky to get an experienced mechanic driving the tow truck that I had to call the next day. This man would not give up in making the car start. After the jump start failed. He told me it was the starter of the car. He took a bar and began to tap hard on the starter right in front of the car. then we gave it a try again and the car started running again. Not only that, but the engine check disappeared as well!. He said that it was a "bad point" in the starter and that it was not necessary to replace it. Figure that out...

I have a 2003 Malibu, and the Theft System light keeps coming on and I have to wait 10 minutes to start the car. I never know when it will happen. Why did'nt General Motors recall these cars, suppose I have rush a family member to the hospital or If I am being roobed or harrassed and I can't get away. I will never in life again, buy another car made by General Motors!!!

I have a chevrolet malibu have no signs or emergency lights encuentrna no failure

Thank you guys for the help my car today Oct 17 2014 wouldn't start and the anti theft light was on my wife said it was a possible cause 10 minutes on on position 5 seconds off stated right up and no more light!

bud1944 has the answer. It worked for me and the anti theft light that has been on since I got the car(a year ago) is now off. Wow, I had been trading parts out off a friends old engine and was getting nowhere. Tried the 10 min. in the on position and 5 seconds off and started right up. Now I know to try this if it occurs again instead of paying a large towing fee! bud1944 his post is on this page! Thank you bud1944

how do you do 2 keys

Thanks Guys and Gals, I was having a frustrating time trying to start the "energy star" Malibu. I was about to pull the fuel pump when I noticed that the "anti theft" light was blinking. Remembering somewhere in the receses of my mind that GM had a "bait car" type anti theft system many years ago, I happened upon this forum and followed the 10 minute on, two seconds off restart procedure and the Malibu fired right up....WHEW!!! what a relief!

Google is a beautiful thing. Just did this with a car we bought from my mother-in-law. Worked like charm

I'm having the same problem help!!!

Abigail, if it is just the Anti-Theft issue, put your key in the ignition, turn the key to the first click. Note that the dash lights come on and the Anti-theft light continues to flash. Leave it that way for about ten minutes or until it stops flashing. Turn the key off and remove it. Put the key in the drivers door, turn it to the left and then to the right. Pull the key out and try and start you car. It should work if it is the Anti-Theft. Do you hear the fuel pump pressurize when you first try and start the car?

Yes I hear that

Its flashing theft system

Omg!!!!!! It worked your a life saver !!!!!!"

Your welcome!!

Is there a way to disable this "dangerous" symptom?

Had same problem with my car was bogging down when goin down road and shutting off after being started I thought maybe the coil pack were bad so I replaced them and the coil pack plate car still shut off after being started but let sit for about five minutes and it would crank and run fin 03 malibu needs to have recall on this ploblem

I have a 99 mailbu, tried to start it with the wrong key! not good. Now it really thinks it is stolen. I took cables off battery, discharged the capacitor by shorting the cables together, reconnected, tried to start, left in on position, theft system light came on (does not flash?). it is supposed to go off in ten or so minutes. It does not??? Tried it half an hour, still does not go off. Of course turning the key off, waiting 5 seconds and trying again did not work. Any thoughts?

Im having tha same issue as caddydlr anyone that can help??????

Kaitlin there or 3 ways to reset the security sistem (1) lock door unlock door open door shut door lock door open door get in and try to start (2) turn key to acc for 15 minutes (leave driver door open) turn key to off after 15 minutes then try and start car (3) unhook battery for 15 minutes then hook back up and try to start car but is the security light staying on I was having the same problem and I got a fuel pressure gage to see if I was gettin enough fuel pressure and I wasn't mine was the fuel pump that would be my first step to call the chevy place and ask what fuel pressure you are supposed to be getting my car is an 03 and I am supposed to be getting 54-59 ponds of fuel hope this helps

HELP! ok i hv a 01 chevy malibu it turns on for 3 sec. But then shuts off itd not the fuel pump we had it checked with a fuel pressurr guage and we put a kill switch for the theft system it still wont stay onn any one have an idea y it wont stay on

Does the theft system light stay on of the theft system light stays on then it will be the syecurity system but of that light goes out then it is something eles so your fuel pump is good it may be your fuel regulator gone bad I would get it checked next and of it's not that then it could be a crank or cam position sencer gone bad

I HAVE A 01 MALIBU LIGHT COMES ON ONLY AFTER I TERN THE KEY ON THE ON PISISHION THEN TERNS OFF RITE AWAY MINE JUST CRANKS BUT WILL NOT START NO OTHER LIGHTS ARE WORKIN ON DASH NOT EVEN GAGES I HAVE NO SPARK I HAVE PUT NEW COIL PACKS NEW STARTER NEW ALTERNATER SOME 1 PLS HELP

Flpdontrip you may need to get a new ignition plate if you or getting no spark the ignition plate is the plate that is up under the coil packs

Flpdontrip one more thing if none of the Gage's or working you may need a new body control module

It work

I have a 2000 Malibu..... And I too am having a problem with the theft system. It often comes on when I'm driving but has no effect. Then there are times when it does the flashing and I have to set for 10 mins then it will start. I usually just leave the key in off position while i wait. But it seems to b doing it more often (3times in 2days). Can't afford a new car but can't keep being late either. Help please !!!! Reset or disable it doesn't matter at this point ! Thanks

I have a 2003 chevy malibu this is what comes up p1815 code

I have a2003 Malibu and it has been stopping in the middle of the 401 and and scars the hell out of me and it it the anti theft system . I would like something done about this soon. Lois

I am so glad for this site. My Chevy Malibu cranked but wouldn't start. I put my key in the on position until the system theft light went off and then put it back in the off position and start and it started. Thank God for the internet.

My son's 2001 Malibu is having the same issue, however we have had the car to the local chevy dealership and paid $400 to get the antitheft system fixed. Picked the car up yesterday and it started just fine all day. He gets up this morning to go to work and low and behold it wont start. The antitheft light is not on. The fuel pump kicks on and it has half tank of gas. We have changed the coil packs. Any suggestions?

mrgriphon5 try getting a fuel pressure gage and testing the fuel pressure it is easy to test the fuel pressure on these 3.1 engines all you have to do is go the the passenger side of the engine and look on the end of the fuel rail there shood be a black top there take the black top off and the scew the pressure gage on the car has to have at least 30-35 pounds of fuel for the car to start but the right pressure for this type of car is 52 pounds of fuel this is probably what the problem is if not it could be the cam or crank position sencer hope this helps

It could also be a fuel regulator problem to but check the fuel pressure first

ok had a problem with theft system 2002 malibu, wouldn't reset and fuel pump wouldn't run. Changed pump after going through reset Multiple times times 50. No change. Then I tried my wife's key to do a reset. Bingo it worked. Cause. Worn out key. Had 2 new keys made at chev and starts every time. There is a recall on keys so check it out. The reset does work sometimes even if it isn't blinking it is still ka pooched..

Thanks so much Greg, I read your post last night. My car was stuck at rent to own it wouldn't start, anit theft stated on every time it went off I would try to start it but it would just come back on and wouldn't start. I just went back up to the car tried to start it but the theif system began again. I left the key in the switch turned back till anit thief system stopped, the put key in driver door turned it left then right, them touch key out and started my car. It worked thanks so much. My theft light is off to. Thank you so very much.

My Malibu isn't staying running the theft light is on but no alarms and its solid not blinking! The car starts for a second the gauges all go haywire then it cuts off! Help asap stranded

having same problem with 2000 Malibu. Looking into disabling the theft system and using a bar on my steering wheel. Good or bad idea??

My car has the same problem my anti theft light stays on an its solid not blinking an i try to start it it cranks over i try to turn it off and take the key out the car still trys to turn over even when i take the key out help

im making a switch for the anti theft system so i can shut it off when i want and turn it on

Having the same issue with hubby's car... we r trying all that has been suggested and so far no avail

I have an 1997 Chevy Malibu when I turn my key nun of my lights work on dash an it will kill my battery trying to crank it

This is the worst car I have ever owned!! 99 Malibu, first had the ignition replaced and now the steering wheel wont lock. Have to remove the negative terminal each time I park it to keep battery from draining. It started acting like it did not want to crank the other day, but after the first try it always sounded like the battery was stronger and would start. Pulled up to store today and cut it off. Now it won't do anything. Antitheft comes on and hands jump to the highest ranges. SO OVER THIS CAR AND GM

Okay, so I tried the suggestions here on a 2001 Malibu, and it didn't work. Called the dealership and he said that this car does not have a chip key or transponder key, so it's not gonna be a programming issue. The 10 minutes in the on position wouldn't work. He was right, because I had already done it several times. He said the only thing that would do it is a bad passkey censor in the ignition. Removed the old one and put in the new one ( $123 ) and when I turned it on, the anti-theft light was blinking. It had been solidly lit before. I called back and they said to wait for it to stop blinking because that's the car reprogramming the new censor. Once it stopped blinking, I tried to start it and nothing. It cranks and cranks, but doesn't hit. It's acting exactly the same as before, only now the anti-theft light is off. So replacing the censor seemed to fix the problem, except the car is still disabled. I'm going to call them back on Monday and ask why that made the light go off, but the car still won't start. If I find out why, I'll come back and post an update.

Having the same issue on the 2012 malibu lt. It was on anti theft lock and I read to leave it there till the anti theft logo stop flickering and to turn it off and then turn it on. It had light on the dash before but once I tried to start it again it won't crank at all and no lights are on and the unlock remote doesn't even work at all like if there was no battery. It doesn't crank at all. Before I attempted to take off the anti lock it had lights and it'll try to crank and make a tiny noise but now it doesn't nothing like if the entire car itself died.

Lile I am having this same problem with my 2011 chevy malibu I was at a gas station yesterday turned car off got gas tried to start it up would not crank but everything else on the dash worked tryed the 10minute trick and put the key in the door and back in the ignition and then the antitheft blinked and did alot of clicking untill battery died got a jump car chaged lights came on but still no start pleaseeeeee hellppp me

One thing I know about resetting the Malibu anti theft system, is you have to have patience. What works one time may not be exactly what it needs the second time it goes awry. This time, today, I ended up waiting 30 minutes with the key on for the anti theft light to stop blinking . Last time, 5 yrs ago, it took only 5 minutes. This time I had to leave the door open for it to reset, and do the lock unlocking of the driver's door. It's not always clockwise to lock the door. Mine is opposite. But a little patience will save you up to $500 to let the dealership do the very same thing. Good luck all!

I have 2005 Malibu and the darn alarm goes off everytime I unlock and open the door. there are no blinking lights and it starts fine the only thing i know about the car is that the radio has been changed (aftermarket) and the ing key has been swapped but no issues starting it> I could use some ideas on what to do I am willing to get rid of the whole anti theft factory and go with an after market system but first i want rid of the honky honk.

We put a new ignition switch in my 02 Malibu. Well I didn't realize I ordered a ignition switch for a 01 Malibu. Does it matter?

Car starts then shuts down.

Just bought my '01 Malibu from my daughter in law. We had this situation. All of the posts tell HOW to correct the problem. I'd like to know WHAT causes the problem in the first place and after 15 years, has anyone developed a way to effectively bypass this feature if it becomes troublesome?

Look a at all the anti theft issues on this forum? Cars aren't cheap to buy or repair. Consumers are stuck with the problems while big corporations ignore them. Why would they care they are probably driving foreign cars because they know GM makes shitty ones. With that said having the same freaking problem and the sad thing is I have low miles on it for the year. Probably low because it sat more than it started POS.

pull your theft fuse out and put them back in and see if it will start, we did this when my husband could not get his key out

Take out the factory fuseable link that joins your ignition, an electronic inside your vehicle. an put your ignition on its own , circuit,with a fuseable link .. an put your alarms on it own, where it can detect all , possible wrongfully activity, ,ypur alarm is over riding your ignition ... If you have a warranty on that vehicle , don't touch it take it in , changing anything will void all warranties try it let me know, cause I know it works cause I didn't have warranty so I fixed my problem

Im a having a peoblem like this my 2002 chevy malibu we changed the motor and tranny was running drove bit fans wasnt coming on so we wired them to winshiekd wipers like we done before and now the thefy system is on and wont start thr gauges womt work and fuel pump womt

We just tried the door and the 10 min on ans 5 sec off it didnt wotk. Weve always had to do 15 mins on and 5 mins off. This is getting ridiculous

You need to reset the anti theft system as soon as possible, or it will drain the battery. It's honestly easy. 1. Lock and unlock the driver's door. 2. Place the ignition in auxiliary and leave it there until the anti theft light on the dash goes out. That's it. I guarantee it will fire up.

Had all the problems that all you people had done this done that had a recall for key so i had a new key made from vin number .had no more problems with car shuting off or security light coming on

2001 chevy monte carlo ss 3.8 trying to re-set anti theft system but battery is draining fast befour the light stops blinking to complete it the battery is good fully charged when it started while the light was blinking to rest i watch the volt meter go down then no power to complete it any thoughts on the battery drain terminal are all cleaned apeard to have good connection ? this car is only here to make sure my happynes will never be achieved LOL hope some one has a thought thank you ??????

Yes 2005 Chevy Malibu definitely and tie theft locking device is terrible. so I tried to bypass method where it says connect the black and the yellow wire using a 2 ohm resistor so low and behold I made a resistor simple circuit ticket Nation out and there's no black and yellow or three wires coming out of there there's a connection with five wires to Greens a brown a red and a black I tried combination of each by skinning the wires and using an alligator clip on both ends and nothing seems to work when I do that I try to start it it runs for 3 seconds and then shuts off so if anybody knows the proper wires to connect to to bypass the passlock please let me know thank you

Tried this with Goldie my 2001 Malibu. Worked like a charm. Key on on position for ten mins then off for a min then try to start, and viola!

Shalom Aleichem. I've been a mechanic for 45+ yrs & retired last yr. For the past 15 yrs I went from automobiles to vessels & the reason is automobiles (since 1990) are nothing but high priced junk. But in the last 10 yrs they've really become aggravating garbage. In the "old" days when one fixed a problem it (99.9% of the time) stayed fixed. Why are there so many relays to a starter? I mean are you kidding me? Sensors out the wazoo. I got rid of every single vehicle I had past 2000. I own a 1976 Chevy (been in the family since '76) Has 895,000 miles on the orginal drive train because of maintenance, but time for a rebuild. A 1972 VW beetle & a 1980 Harley Davidson. Easy to work on. Parts used to be easy to get, so I've stocked up on parts for each. Newer vehicles just cost too much to maintain & they still break down due to ridiculous reasons. The Chevy gets 22 /15 mpg. The VW around 32/25 & the HD (unless I womp on it) 50/38. I'll never own a "new" vehicle again. Oh yeah, I paid $35,000 for my house 40 yrs ago & its been paid off for 25yrs & a car now costs more then my house. I appreciate you guys letting me spout off & I feel for you up & coming mechanics (excuse me technicians) Ratson haba b'shem YaHuah AAPiY Mike

Car broke down got towed home. Can hear pump going, checked plugs changed necessary with no luck. Decided to search Google and found this. Door trick didnt work, but sitting in my car for ten minutes did! Thanks! 2003 malibu

Yes I bought a 2003 chevy malibu and I drove it for a day and it done fine we'll I stopped by a friend's house and turned the car off and when I went to crank it back up it wouldn't start so I thought it may be that I was on a hill and all the gas may have went to one side and the fuel pump couldn't reach it so I filled the gas all the up and it still wouldn't crank the anti theft light is on but it doesn't blink it just stays on however I have tried everything that Google told me to do however it still want crank up it tries to turn over but it just want crank and I tried so much that it ran the battery dead and I tried to jump it off a couple times and it just tries but it want crank all the way up but the fuel pump is kicking on the starter is good and I've tried turning the switch on for the 15 min I've tried the door thing I've tried everything and it still want crank the previous owner replaced the switch and they said that's why the anti theft light is staying on but it would crank right up when I tried it out and for the first day I had it and the light was on so why am I having this issue now??? Someone please help!!!

Yes I bought a 2003 chevy malibu and I drove it for a day and it done fine we'll I stopped by a friend's house and turned the car off and when I went to crank it back up it wouldn't start so I thought it may be that I was on a hill and all the gas may have went to one side and the fuel pump couldn't reach it so I filled the gas all the up and it still wouldn't crank the anti theft light is on but it doesn't blink it just stays on however I have tried everything that Google told me to do however it still want crank up it tries to turn over but it just want crank and I tried so much that it ran the battery dead and I tried to jump it off a couple times and it just tries but it want crank all the way up but the fuel pump is kicking on the starter is good and I've tried turning the switch on for the 15 min I've tried the door thing I've tried everything and it still want crank the previous owner replaced the switch and they said that's why the anti theft light is staying on but it would crank right up when I tried it out and for the first day I had it and the light was on so why am I having this issue now??? Someone please help!!!