Does anyone now what interface type is used on the 2006 Malibu? CAN ,
J1850, etc.

"snowdrifter52" <rickpatrick (AT) comcast (DOT) net> wrote

Hi,
We have an 06 Malibu with ECM problems. Here in Sask they call it a "PCM"
and mine has been replaced under warranty.
The issues relate to the temperature differentials brtween the coolant
sensor and the MAF, causing the PCM to go whacky. The cooling fans run and
the heat guage goes dead, amongst other irritations.
The Dealer has worked on this three times, and the problems still recur. At
one point, the Dealer said the cure was to not use the engine block heater.
At -35 Celcius is this intelligent? No way!
We have an appointment with the dealer again (the 4th time for this issue)
on Wednesday. My patience is starting to thin out.

Are these the issues you are facing with your ECM?
How is your Dealer service where you are?
Thanks,
David

Hi Dave

Actually this sounds like the problem that I am having. I have a code reader
that connects my notebook computer to the vehicles OBDII connector. The
trouble code that is reported is P0128 Coolant Thermostat (Coolant
Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature). I was having trouble
believing that this was a true condition. The vehicle has just under 50,000
miles and I couldn't believe that the thermostat was bad already. Besides
that the temp gauge on the instrument panel seemed to warm up normally and
report normal operating temperature.

The reason for my question is that when I down load the updated analyzer
software for the computer interface I can't connect to the vehicle nor any
other vehicle that I had previously be connecting to. Tech support from the
engine analyzer company has been less than helpful. One of the variables
that needs to be set is the vehicle interface type. The analyzer manual says
the interface should be J1850 but the analyzer reports CAN even though it
never actually connects. So I am fighting two problems.

I think I have a bit of a handle on my vehicle problem though. When I run my
old version of the analyzer software I can connect pull the P0128 code and
reset it. After resetting I have been paying more attention to the temp.
gauge and when the light comes on the temp guage is close to normal
operating temp but I believe it is just a little below. As long as the temp
gauge goes the whole way to the middle tick on the gauge the MIL light never
illuminates. So I am going to continue to monitor the gauge a lot closer and
if the light comes on again I am going to change the thermostat. I think it
is marginal. The other thing I am going to try to monitor is whether the
radiator cooling fan is running when the gauge doesn't quite go to the
middle tick.

Has your dealer replaced either the thermostat or the coolant temperature
sensor? These two things seem to be the reason for setting this code. The
code is set when the coolant temperature has not reached the specified
temperature by the time a set volume of air has passed the Mass Air Flow
sensor. The MAF is also a possible problem but that would normally present
itself with other issues.

As for your question about dealers here. Frankly I don't like any dealers
anywhere and use them only for warranty service. The vehicle we owned before
this 06 malibu was a 87 Chevy Celebrity. We bought it second hand only 1
year old and 11,000 miles so we pretty much owned it from new. We ran it
until we bought the Malibu in Feb. 2006. At that time the celebrity had over
290,000 miles. I never did anything more than normal maintenance. Never had
the valve covers off or the transmission pan off. I put 1 Alternator, 2
water pumps, 0 starters, plugs, brakes, and tires. It was a great car. I had
the same high expectations with the Malibu but already it has caused more
problems. It is exactly 2 years old and has just under 50K miles. To pass
inspection this month I had to replace the rear brake pads. Never had rear
pads wear out before the fronts and then with this few of miles. We have had
several warranty problems too. The first one was a buzzing sound coming from
the passenger side of the windshield above 50 MPH. The plastic molding at
the bottom of the windshield at the cowling was raised off the windsield
enough that when we went fast enough the plastic would vibrate and sound
like a bumble bee. The second problem and the worst is a clunking sound
coming from the front end. Almost sounds like bad CV joints but not exactly.
The dealer has tried 3 times to fix it. The third time he replaced the
steering gear. When he did that the sound did go away but now 2 months and
almost 10 K miles later it has returned. I haven't called them back yet to
schedule for them to look at it again but guess I will do that soon. They
have been treating this under warranty because it was a problem that they
have been trying to resolve since before the warranty ran out.

Boy, glad I don't have to deal with the complications of -35 C here in
Pennsylvania.

Good luck with your problem.
Rick

"David" <dpaull (AT) sasktel (DOT) net> wrote

The 06 Malibu has a CAN protocol as most GM vehicles. I had to upgrade my
laptop OBDII tester for CAN when I bought the )^ Cobalt.


"snowdrifter52" <rickpatrick (AT) comcast (DOT) net> wrote