My 2002 Chevy Malibu LS 3.1 suddenly will not start

the fuel pump primes with key turned for the first 2 seconds then turns off untill cranking , so if your checking voltage at pump connector with key on it will be zero volts afer 2 seconds of turned key

You're god sent, I have power from engine priming at the 12-volt rear connector for the fuel pump. Only thing left in the equation could be a bad pump or clogged fuel filter. Either way, virtually same issue. I'll update in day or two after I try changing out pump.

Someone in another forum suggested this, ""Try tapping the tank with a rubber mallet and see if it starts. Fuel pumps can die without any warning. I had one do that on a Pontiac 6000 that I had years ago. You say it cranks, but there's no fire, though, which leads me to believe it could either be a crank position sensor or cam position sensor that's crapped out on you. Check your Haynes manual, there should be information as to how to check them and the voltage that you should read. I don't have a manual on your car."" What do you think about his suggestion of the sensors? In my opinion, in regards to the two sensors I don't think they would effect the fuel pumps ability to prime though, pre-cranking. On key turn to on position, not crank, I normally hear the fuel pump priming loud as shit. I don't get that now. the crank position sensor would not stop the start from getting fuel pressure, only mess up the order in which the motor is supposed to fire. Similarly with the cam position sensor. Don't get me wrong I'm not certified mechanic, just going on deductive reasoning.

I think the fuel pump packed it in man.

Hey Man, I know this was a year ago, but I am having the same problem and I already changed the fuel pump and it didn't help,unless the new pump was bad. If you get this message, would you tell me what happened in your situation?? Thanks.

Indy1000, I'm in the same position you are. Mechanics changed out the fuel pump and gave me a new filter and the car still did the same thing. They tried the cam and crank sensor switches also to no avail. They gave up after 3 weeks with no explantion and no fix. Next door neighbor (backyard mechanic) looked at it and said clogged fuel line. Trying to figure out now how to tackle that......

Hay guys so i realized reading all these different web pages that no one ever tells what ended up being wrong. Our car has been down for 3 weeks and it came down to the COMPUTER!!!!! They replaced it and it starts every time now. I hope this can help someone save time and a boat load of money.

...okay, computers do not go bad....ground to them causes problems if it's not there solidly...I'd start by un-doing the Black battery cable that attaches to the chassis and wirebrush that one till shiny....the chassis as well so the computer's got a reliable 12.5 volts to work with....also batteries will degrade after five years don't take a charge too good anymore~....get a NEW one~

it is some stupid anti-theft device...leave your key in ignition tuned to ACC for at least 10 minutes. then turn key to off, then turn it over to start. happens to our Malibu once every 6 months or so, this fixes it everytime

IT'S A GROUND I BET BECAUSE IT'S A RUST BUCKET!!!!

if you have a 2012 malibu you have a factory faulty connector under the engine fuse block, this is a common problem on a majority of the malibu vehicle's, if you experience this no start issue report it to the NHTA so a recall can be issued A.S.A.P. this will help to identify and fix this problem, thank you, you can comment on their web site directly, GM is claiming no fualt as no one is reporting this issue, we need 200 complaint's to force this recall, on LS, LT, and LTZ model's

it is the anti theft and no-mechanic had it right but instead of putting it in the acc mode turn it to the ON position and wait for 10 min I usually give it 12 min and if your anti theft light was blinking it will go out or solid then you turn the key in the off position (I pull my key out) wait for 10-15 seconds and try again after your fuel pump primes (2 seconds or so). They also recommend only using your car key with no other keys or fob on it. I have this problem with my car and I spent a lot of money trying to find why it wouldn't start. Hope this helps

This has been happening to me to off and on for 6 months I couldn't figure out what it was. It wouldn't start. again today I just went out turned key to accessories waited 10 minutes the antitheft light was blinking it shut off after 10 minutes, I then turned the key to off and then started the car. It started right away! it is defiantly the recall. My car is 2002 Chevy Malibu LS THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!

This has been happening to me for the past 8 months, I have had the fuel pump and filter replaced, a fuel injector port, and failed smog for electronics not smog. I just read these possible fixes after I was stuck at a store and had to call for a ride. I went back and put my key on ACC until the anti theft light stopped flashing turned key off and my car started right up. KAM

Hey everyone. Just wanted to say this site just saved me a bunch of money. I had the same problem with the Malibu not turning over and the people I called all said fuel pump or filter or clogged fuel line. I googled the problem came here tried the anti theft thing and it worked!!!! Only thing I will add is someone told me to repeat the process 3 times to re program the anti theft to prevent it from happening again. I'm not sure if it did reprogram it but I did the process three times and it's working now so I'm very happy. Thank god for the Internet. Thank you guys. I hope more people with the same problem read this and save themselves the money and the stress! FUKC ANTI THEFT lol

This is currently happening to me. It happened the first time six month ago. It's currently in the AAC position. I'm waiting... And it works. (time lapsed post)

I found out that my oil sensor was not working right and that it would have an effect on my tach as well who would have known.Now the car starts ever time.

So mines would start after 15mins or so, now it takes up to 3 hours! Mechanic fixing a bunch of parts and racking up a bill, that I can't afford.. Still no avail.. SMH I'm just going to sell it and never buy a chevy again. Because I took it to a alarm shop, they said it was something else since the anti-theft light doesn't come on or blink, took it to a mechanic and they say its the anti-theft. I don't have time for the back and forth

If it's the anti theft will the car cut off on you while driving?

So I paid $700... and it was a defective sensor that gives a good read on the computer call CHEVY to get it repaired please!!! I suspect mine is going to go out again in a few months

The anti-theft reset worked. Thank you for saving us a loss of money!!!

Anti-theft suggestions worked to a T!!!! Thank you so much!!!

I want to thank you all, I just had this issue. I luckily looked and found this and tried it, bam cars running, THANK YOU ALL!

Having all the same problems as joshscott84 including the mystery horn door lock thing. My mechanic initially stated it could be the computer but next day said he's almost certain it's the crank shaft sensor. I would love to know the outcome of the car not cutting, the horn and the locks. 2002 Chevy Malibu

The reset worked. Turned key to ACC, waited 12 minutes, turned off, counted to 3, and it started right up. AMAZING!!!! THANK YOU!!!!

my anti thierf is not blinking my car dont start i change all sensor

So, same symptoms as above. Used swapology and switched relay for the fuel pump. Worked great for a day. Purchased new relay, all is well. Thnking fuel pump is going and causing relay to stick. Donut

Having same problem here! Car wont start. Would die while driving. Changed plugs and distributer cap, put in new fuel pump. Going to try the anti theft reset and if that dont work. Gona try a new coil block. Thanks for the tips!

thank you all just bought a used 2002 malibu LS, within a week it would not start took to local chev dealership got taken for a $1000. next day same problem, found this site tried the anti theft reset ...... worked like a charm. cheers

did all of what every ones saying to do and still nothing. i put in new fuel pump and idler control motor. then everything worked for a day. this morning i left my house and went to the pond to do some fishing and i went to leave and it wasn't starting.

this issue is caused by a faulty ignition switch, the switch wont always recognize the key and this causes the theft system light to come on. when the theft system light is on it tells the fuel pump not to work, so the car will not start or will start and immediately die. resetting the theft system is only a temporary fix, replacing the ignition switch should fix it for good. you can pick up an ignition switch at the auto parts store for about $60-70 or google ignition recall and then print out the recall information and take it to the dealer an have them fix it.

He folks, If the anti-theft trick does not work, before changing the fuel pump, look at fuse 39 under the hood. It might check good, but my Malibu had one end burnt and checked good. I changed the fuse and it fixed the no start problem.

Hi I was given a 2002 Chevy Malibu that has been sitting for 5yrs and was told all it needs was a battery. Put the battery in and it didn't start. So I listened to see if the fuel pump was coming on and it didn't. Then I checked the relay switch by switching it out with another one and the fuel pump came on, so I tried to start my car again and it didn't start. I came on here and saw the posts about the anti theft system and that's exactly what it was! So ty no-mechanic and fizzwidget!

Is this anti-theft system problem a recall? Ignition switch recall? I have a 2002 Chevy Mailbu and it won't start. I have replaced the fuel pump and fuel filter.

It is the crank shaft sensor replaced mine works fine now