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Malibu 2015 stalling and struggles with gears
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Jdorival
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Jun 17, 2020, 9:58 AM
Post #1 of 21
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Malibu 2015 stalling and struggles with gears
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Hi everyone,
I'm the owner of a chevy Malibu 2015 LS, 2.5l engine, automatic transmission, 130k miles. Recently I have several issues with the car (engine or transmission), here is the list:
- It sometimes hesitates between gears when I drive on the interstate (~60mph). It tries to change down a gear and instantly put the other gear back on (it did 6-5-6 in a second), and it did that like 10 times in 5 minutes..
- The hesitations cause the car jerking
- It stalls sometimes when the car is "cold" (it is > 80°F outside), and at idle (with the stick either in park or in drive position)
- There is a liquid noise when I push the accelerator in the 3-5 minutes following the start, it stops doing that noise after (the transmission fluid has been changed and engine oil replaced to try to solve the previous issues and it does this sound since that)
- The car is very often running at very low rpm, which causes a lost of power, and all the issues occur at low RPM
- it struggles or don't want to change down the gear when at low RPM and starting to go uphill (especially on the interstate where it remains stuck either in 6 on in 5).
- I don't have any issues when I drive the car in "manual", the gears are responsive and change very smoothly.
Does anyone have any idea what could be the problem?
Thank you
And sorry for the bad English, I'm French and I came in US just recently.
Jonathan
(This post was edited by Jdorival on Jun 17, 2020, 10:01 AM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 17, 2020, 10:24 AM
Post #2 of 21
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Re: Malibu 2015 stalling and struggles with gears
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The first think you need to do it get a complete scan of all modules in the system.
This DOES NOT mean hook up a code reader for generic codes. You need a professional scan tool with the ability to scan all the modules in the car at the same time. This won't be free but is necessary.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Jdorival
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Jun 17, 2020, 12:01 PM
Post #3 of 21
(1740 views)
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Re: Malibu 2015 stalling and struggles with gears
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Thank you for your reply. So where can I have a complete scan? at the dealer maybe ?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jun 17, 2020, 12:05 PM
Post #4 of 21
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Re: Malibu 2015 stalling and struggles with gears
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Sure, that's one place but there are many Independents that have that ability also for less money. Look for a shop that does diagnostic work.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jun 17, 2020, 2:28 PM
Post #5 of 21
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Re: Malibu 2015 stalling and struggles with gears
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Yes, same with Hammer Time. Just because you hear some "sloshing" as you put it, do check coolant level if possible on this at the radiator or pressure tested as well. If that's air inside a closed system it's overheating that will throw off the show for lots of things.
Bonjour mon ami :-)
T
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Jdorival
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Jun 18, 2020, 10:02 AM
Post #6 of 21
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Re: Malibu 2015 stalling and struggles with gears
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Thank you both. I will bring the car to the dealer next week to have a complete scan and I'll let you know what they say.
Merci beaucoup :)
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Jdorival
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Oct 5, 2020, 2:18 PM
Post #7 of 21
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Re: Malibu 2015 stalling and struggles with gears
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So, after a few months struggling between mechanics... Chevrolet changed the crank sensor. It worked great during two days, and then the same symptoms appeared again. They changed it a second time for free.. Same again. It seemed that when I unplugged the battery and plugged it back, it solved the problems during a few moment. Until the same issues appeared. I brought them back the car one more time. This time they have sealed a small vacuum leak by screwing two screws near the catalytic converter. It's better, but the car still has some issues. It still doesn't have much power, drives at low rpm, rpm are still not stable during idle (the car doesn't stall anymore), and it is sometimes hard to start the car (it cranks but starts only after a few seconds).
So I'm not sure if it is an electronic issue of some kind (sensor or else) or if something goes wrong during the ignition process (maybe another vacuum leak or a bad injection, misfire...)
Any thoughts ??
Thank you
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Hammer Time
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Oct 5, 2020, 2:32 PM
Post #8 of 21
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Re: Malibu 2015 stalling and struggles with gears
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It really sounds like something is effecting the fuel mixture.
When you disconnect the battery you are resetting all the fuel adaptives to default and it runs good but after you drive it for a while, the computer is mistakenly compensating for something it's being told by one of the sensors. The dealer should be able to figure this out and I wouldn't let them walk away from it.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Jdorival
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Oct 6, 2020, 6:32 AM
Post #9 of 21
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Re: Malibu 2015 stalling and struggles with gears
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Thank you. Yes it would explain a lot of thing... Any idea what sensor could cause this? Or is it possible that the computer is down?
I'm pretty tired about the dealer who takes 2 weeks everytime... Do you think it would be better to bring the car to a mechanic specialized in diagnostic, to a specialist of the electronic in cars or to the dealer one more time ?
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Jdorival
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Oct 6, 2020, 8:13 AM
Post #11 of 21
(1434 views)
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Re: Malibu 2015 stalling and struggles with gears
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Thanks again :) I'll bring the car to the electrical diagnostics expert then. I'll keep you informed how it turns out
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Jdorival
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Oct 12, 2020, 12:10 PM
Post #12 of 21
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Re: Malibu 2015 stalling and struggles with gears
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The guy thinks it is the main wiring harness. He asks 1600$ for it. Do you think it could be the cause of all the problems?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Oct 12, 2020, 12:28 PM
Post #13 of 21
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Re: Malibu 2015 stalling and struggles with gears
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Wiring can always be a cause. I hope he is not just guessing and actually did some testing to come to that conclusion.
Also, if you approve the job make sure he actually replaced the harness and not just repair a few wires instead.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Jdorival
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Oct 12, 2020, 12:31 PM
Post #14 of 21
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Re: Malibu 2015 stalling and struggles with gears
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Ok I'm gonna see that with him. Thank you so much for your advices, I really appreciate it!!
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Hammer Time
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Oct 12, 2020, 12:33 PM
Post #15 of 21
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Re: Malibu 2015 stalling and struggles with gears
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You're welcome. Let us know the results.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Jdorival
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Oct 12, 2020, 1:15 PM
Post #16 of 21
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Re: Malibu 2015 stalling and struggles with gears
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It would only be to repair it... I'm not sure it is worth it...
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Hammer Time
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Oct 12, 2020, 1:18 PM
Post #17 of 21
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Re: Malibu 2015 stalling and struggles with gears
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That's a lot of money to just repair a harness if they already know where the problem is.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Jdorival
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Oct 13, 2020, 7:30 AM
Post #18 of 21
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Re: Malibu 2015 stalling and struggles with gears
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Yes that's my opinion too. So I will pick up the car and probably bring it to the junkyard..
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Tom Greenleaf
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Oct 13, 2020, 9:15 AM
Post #19 of 21
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Re: Malibu 2015 stalling and struggles with gears
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! If you are giving up over this on a FIVE year old car I question why? Sell it if you are sick of it stating the problem you have. Some "junkyards" will buy cars that are fixable not to be "salvaged" for parts if this is OK otherwise.
That or find some better help to focus right where this problem is if not stated other than "whole harness" for a fortune. It's been a while I'm sure you are just sick of it but can get some good money out of it as fixable most likely and move on zillions of people can't deal with problem cars/trucks just the time and headache of it all (mal de tete) as you say :-)
Tom
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Jdorival
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Oct 13, 2020, 10:30 AM
Post #20 of 21
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Re: Malibu 2015 stalling and struggles with gears
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It has a rebuilt title as a previous owner had a wreck with it. Everything was replaced or repaired after the wreck, except for the "invisible" issues that remain... It had a water entry at some point, that I fixed, but I'm afraid it had caused damage to the electronic in the car. So I think I'll bring it to a last mechanic (look like Nashville is seriously lacking of good mechanics...) and see how much they ask for it. In the meantime, I'll post an announce to try to sell it, stating the problem.
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