2009 Malibu Brake Light Question
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Not sure where to direct you but here are some facts you may not be aware of.
The brake lights in the 2008-2011 models do not use a conventional switch. Instead they use a position sensor kind of like a volume control. The BCM (body control module) uses that input to determine when the pedal is at rest and when it's moving, then figures out if the lights need to be turned on. The two lower brake lights that serve as turn signals are individually turned on or flashed by the BCM - there is no flasher.
Under the hood is the CHMSL relay. Its only function is to turn on the third brake light. It receives a signal from the BCM to the coil and the contacts supply the power to the light. There's a light blue wire that runs from there through the driver's door sill back to the light.
If you ride with your foot touching the brake pedal it could cause the issue you describe, but that is a rare occurrence these days. (I saw one guy in a pickup doing it Saturday.)
The brake lights in the 2008-2011 models do not use a conventional switch. Instead they use a position sensor kind of like a volume control. The BCM (body control module) uses that input to determine when the pedal is at rest and when it's moving, then figures out if the lights need to be turned on. The two lower brake lights that serve as turn signals are individually turned on or flashed by the BCM - there is no flasher.
Under the hood is the CHMSL relay. Its only function is to turn on the third brake light. It receives a signal from the BCM to the coil and the contacts supply the power to the light. There's a light blue wire that runs from there through the driver's door sill back to the light.
If you ride with your foot touching the brake pedal it could cause the issue you describe, but that is a rare occurrence these days. (I saw one guy in a pickup doing it Saturday.)
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Dear nestle555,
How many miles do you have on your 2009 Malibu? Have you contacted your service advisor to pick their brain?
Michelle P., Chevrolet Customer Service
How many miles do you have on your 2009 Malibu? Have you contacted your service advisor to pick their brain?
Michelle P., Chevrolet Customer Service
Thank you, for your responses. This Malibu is my wifes car, she mentioned today that the issue with all (3) brake lights coming on within 10 seconds after the brake pedal is released, has not happened in 2 days. We have had the vehicle at several different dealerships for a rattling sound that first occured at 20,000 miles without resolution. Also, we had the transaxle seal replaced (luckly under 100,000 mile powertrain warranty) at 35,000 miles. We love the gas mileage (6 speed) the vehicle gets, but with less than 55,000 miles on the vehicle and already experienced this many issues, not very impressed with the long term quality of this vehicle.
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nestle555,
I would like to look into your situation in further detail. However, in order to do this I will some additional information from you. Please, check your private messages. Through a private message I will let you know that type of information that I will need.
Thank you,
Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service
I would like to look into your situation in further detail. However, in order to do this I will some additional information from you. Please, check your private messages. Through a private message I will let you know that type of information that I will need.
Thank you,
Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service
Nestle555,
Found some info on the web that older Malibus had a problem with a relay not making a good conection. Since I was having this problem too I figured what could it hurt to try this fix. I removed the relay(#49 I think) located next to the battery under the hood and reinserted it several times and also applied a little dielectric grease. So far so good, the problem hasn't recurred in the last three days. Try it, you won't do any damage and if it doesn't work you'll only be out $2.99 for a tube of grease.
Found some info on the web that older Malibus had a problem with a relay not making a good conection. Since I was having this problem too I figured what could it hurt to try this fix. I removed the relay(#49 I think) located next to the battery under the hood and reinserted it several times and also applied a little dielectric grease. So far so good, the problem hasn't recurred in the last three days. Try it, you won't do any damage and if it doesn't work you'll only be out $2.99 for a tube of grease.
New relays are not much more than that. Also, there are at least seven of those 8666 relays that are identical & interchangeable. Good way to test one is to swap it with another.Nestle555,
Found some info on the web that older Malibus had a problem with a relay not making a good conection. Since I was having this problem too I figured what could it hurt to try this fix. I removed the relay(#49 I think) located next to the battery under the hood and reinserted it several times and also applied a little dielectric grease. So far so good, the problem hasn't recurred in the last three days. Try it, you won't do any damage and if it doesn't work you'll only be out $2.99 for a tube of grease.
I am also having this problem. When this happens the "Service Traction" and "service esc" is on the console. The trasction control triangle light is on the console. The car is in park and the brake lights are on. When the peddle is pressed the brake lights blink. When the peddle pressure is lifted the lights go off for about 2 seconds then come back on. Sounds like TSB 08-05-22-009 but 2009 Malibu is not listed in the TSB applications. I go to the dealer Monday. I will reply here after that.
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Cleaning the contacts may be, but I don't really think electronics like much in the way of lubricant in them ...
RwP
The real answer is to get the shop that replaced the part to actually FIX THE PROBLEM........whatever that takes.
Likely that they just didn't get it calibrated right but it's possible that the new part is defective too.
Are all three stop lamps "intermittently coming on" (because the high-mount includes an additional circuit)?
After replacing the Brake Pedal Position sensor, the BCM must be recalibrated for the new sensor. If the issue is not solved, the problem may well be in the BCM or the harness. I think you'll need a dealer to sort it out.
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Dear tbern,
I have read about your situation with your Malibu and the brake lights. I would have to agree with greenman about getting the vehicle into the dealership for further information of what is going on. I completely understand if you do not want to do this, but it is always an option.
Sincerely,
Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service
I have read about your situation with your Malibu and the brake lights. I would have to agree with greenman about getting the vehicle into the dealership for further information of what is going on. I completely understand if you do not want to do this, but it is always an option.
Sincerely,
Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service
I had it serviced at a local car shop so I'm not sure if they recalibrated the sensor. I did bring it into a dealership to deal with a recall and told them about the issue but they weren't able to duplicate the problem so they didn't try to guess as to what the problem might have been and replace unnecessary parts.
The few times I have seen it happen since then I've tried restarting the car and the brake lights are still on. If the car is left alone for several hours after driving with the brake lights the problem doesn't occur for a while after that. If I turn the car off and pump the brake a few times and then restart the car the brake lights turn off.
The few times I have seen it happen since then I've tried restarting the car and the brake lights are still on. If the car is left alone for several hours after driving with the brake lights the problem doesn't occur for a while after that. If I turn the car off and pump the brake a few times and then restart the car the brake lights turn off.
I would have to wonder if they did as it requires a tech 2. Have you talked to them about it?
Dealers almost always behave that way. Even with something as seriously life & death as the stop lamps. They are waiting for a dtc to tell them what to do. Intermittent electrically issues can take time to track down. If you have a way of capturing video do so & show that to them. I think you need to pursue the possibility that the BCM was not zeroed out for the replacement BPPS & the home position is just too close to the pedal top position.
Misbehaving stop lamps can create a very dangerous situation. Imagine traveling 75 down the freeway & having the stop lamps turning on & off. Please don't let this issue slide.
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