2000 Chevy Malibu Multiple problems

WOODS123

MEMBER
2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
104,000 MILES

My malibu's check engine light and service engine soon light stays on. I had a used engine put in at the end of 2008 because the car overheated and I had blown the head gaskets (water and oil mixed and oil was a milky brown). I believe that I also had the thermastat, fuel filter, plugs and wires, and water pump changed at that time, but im not 100% sure. Here are the current problems I am having:

1. I was told [by a nonexpert] that my cooling fans werent working so he directly connected the fans so that they always stay on. The fans are dangerously connected to a fuse in my little box under the hood. When the little green fuse burns up the fans dont work at all. How can I get this running correctly?

2. When I turn on the air conditioner, it blows cool air but it over heats the car right away.

3. Sometimes when I switch the car to reverse quickly it shuts off, not all the time but it happens a lot.

4. In the winter the car doesnt overheat. In the summer is when the problems start. The temp gauge tends to stay at half or one to two notches above in the summer. All of the coolant tends to come out of the overflow after the car is turned off usely after driving in stop and go traffic after a 30 min or more drive. As long as the car is running the coolant stays in. I learned to bleed the air out of the lines and put more coolant (i use water because of how often it overflows). This is the main problem for me because I dont want to have to replace the engine again because of overheating.

I'm not a car girl but I know a small amount my malibu. Some help plz!

1 Reply

TOOOMANYTOYS

MECHANIC
513 POSTS

The service engine soon light means there is a code stored in the system. You would need to have the vehicle scanned to find out what code is setting. Most auto parts stores now do that as a courtesy. Next it sound like you need to have the cooling system fixed properly before you overheat this new engine. A coolant pressure test is where I would start making sure you have no sysem leaks, and the cap maintains correct pressure. Lastly I would have the cooling fans reconnected normally. If the set up you have looks dangerous and you keep blowing fuses you are looking at a potential fire hazzard.