Engine starts then stalls on the road

Tiny
FIRERESCUE31
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 152,000 MILES
Car starts then dies, but when I try to start it again in just cranks. It will start again when I turn the key to the on position a few times and charge the fuel pump again. Try it again and it does the same thing, plus my fuel gauge does not work and the airbag light stays on.
Wednesday, October 30th, 2013 AT 4:48 PM

24 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,052 POSTS
Have you checked fuel pump pressure? Did the fuel gauge stop working when this started happening? As far as the air bag, you need to have the computer scanned to identify trouble codes. That way you will know what is causing the light to come on.

THis guide can help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-stalls

Let me know about the fuel pressure. Better yet, see if the engine will start for a few seconds using starting fluid. That will tell me alot.
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Wednesday, October 30th, 2013 AT 4:53 PM
Tiny
FIRERESCUE31
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have checked the fuel pump and it does have pressure (50)
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Wednesday, October 30th, 2013 AT 7:11 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,052 POSTS
WIll the engine start if you use starting fluid?
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Thursday, October 31st, 2013 AT 5:07 AM
Tiny
TURBOJAY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Thanks I had to get a crankshaft angle sensor it fix my problem found out using the great guide. Cost $89.00
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 1:18 PM
Tiny
KIRBYKS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 15,000 MILES
Car keeps cutting off and service engine light is on
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BASSTECH
  • MEMBER
  • 236 POSTS
You have to find out what code is in the computer, then I can be better able to help you out. Could be just a sensor issue. Let me know.
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PIERRE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
I have a 2004 malibu new body 3.5l, it starts then stalls, I have replaced the fuel pump, ect sensor, cleaned the injectors, checked the injectors 12.4 ohms all the across. No security lights on. But if I press on the gas it stays running. I dont understand it. When the car is cold it starts right up most of the times. Any info is greatly appreciated.
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,052 POSTS
If it continues to run if you keep your foot on the throttle, have the idle air control valve (IAC) checked. Its job is to maintain idle when the throttle plate is closed. By placing your foot in the throttle, you are keeping the throttle plate slightly open allowing it to continue to run.
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MARAFIOTI8
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have a 04 Malibu 3.5 and I replaced the intake manifold gaskets. Engine will not idle. Starts then stalls. If I hold throttle down it will run but misfires. Could this be the MAF. I looked for vacuum leaks and ignition wires are correct.
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,041 POSTS
Hello,

Is there a chance you got some dirt or other such materials down into the intake ports? It sounds like an intake valve is stuck open. Lets try a compression check to confirm.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

Please run this test and get back to us so we can continue helping you.

Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MARAFIOTI8
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
There was still a very tiny piece of old gasket on the upper plenum that I missed causing a vacuum leak.
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,041 POSTS
Yep that will do it. Nice work, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.

Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WELLS_MAN
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
  • 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 86,000 MILES
Car was running good with no trouble out of the blue it quits and won, t start, tried spraying starting fluid in thottle body and it runs for a few secounds, sounded like a fuel pump or filter problem, changed both and it still does the same thing, have great pressure at fuel rails, don, t no what else to change to help it, there was no codes found on obd 2 sensor check, can you tell me what else to check thanks Tom
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RHALL77
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,361 POSTS
Is the security light blinking when your are trying to start it.
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WELLS_MAN
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Yes, the theft security lite is blinking when trying to start, thanks Hope you can help this car has no keyless entry, the onlt security that maybe on it is the key switch that locks stering, there is automatic door locks on it, but no other securiy on it but in the stering wheel key switch
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RHALL77
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,361 POSTS
Sounds like you need a pass lock sensor. You can try this. Turn the key off for 10 secs. Crank the key once and let it go. Watch for the light to blink. Let it sit with the key on, watching the security light. It should go out in 10-30 min. When it does turn the key off for 10 secs then try to start. If this doesnty work you will have to have it scanned at your local dealer.
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WELLS_MAN
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Hi, tried what you said about leaving the key switch on till the security light quits flasing, this fixed the car, it work was I surprised, your the man in my book thanks so much for your help, Tom
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CLASSIC2004ANG
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,000 MILES
My malibu classic stalls and sputters and then will go again for a car length or 30 miles and do it again. It seems to do it when cruise control is on at 70 mph. I have changed the fuel filter twice.
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HICKSTER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
But does that mean u need a new pass lock sensor I had the same problem.P.S. Glad I found this site great help THANK YOU.
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,052 POSTS
Has the check engine light ever come on? If it only happens when you are using the cruise control, it may be a bad vehicle speed sensor (VSS).

Does the car ever act funny when shifting?

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)

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