[bowtieman2011]

Newbie here,

Happy to be apart of the forum!

I did a few searching on this forum and found a few members that had some 08 Malibu's were facing this similar issue.

I wanted to know if any 11' owners have this same issue.

I recently purchased a 2011 Malibu LTZ and love the car. 2 days after buying the car, the wife and I quickly discovered a few weird noises coming from the speakers and the dome light.

Car on or off, when signal lights/hazards are activated, or radio at mute level and onstar on, a very distinctive speaker interferance sound emits, kinda like when your ears pop or when you place them up to a sea shell haha. A very light sound as if AM radio was emitting from the speakers

Also when the dome light dims down after door shut, sounds like a buzzing shorting sound. Scared me at first, sounded like a bad electrical issue.

Of course I wasn't aware of this cool forum to ask questions until now lol,
so I took in the car back to the dealer feeling a little bummed since this was a brand new car! I told the sales manager about how I was not happy with issues already occurring and I haven't even made a 1st payment on it or drove it 30miles lol, he gave me a few free oil changes for the inconvenience, I thought that was fair considering I had to take off work early to take the car in.

I asked them if i could sit in other Malibu's to see if it was just something the car did. They didnt have any on the lot open, and were taking forever to get some freaking keys ( funny how when i am ready to buy , they have keys instantly lol)

Service Dept looked at it, had 2 service dudes in the car with me cause 1st one said he couldn't hear it haha. Finally they herd the sounds and just said thats weird.

Called me back stated, they believe its the radio and that the dome light is linked with this issue. They ordered the part, Installed a brand new radio. Before i drove off, tested it. No result same issue. Both issues still there.

Pulled back in to the service place, told them its still there. By this time I am pretty mad and frustrated. I was thinking to myself, "am I going crazy or hearing things"

Lucky they had 2 brand new LTZ's sitting there with the doors open.I sat in both, Since i knew i didn't need a key to hear the sounds, i just hit the hazards herd the same sounds. Sucks that I heard the sound, but made me feel better that all other ones did the same thing. Speakers and Dome were the exact same as mine.

Service manager said, first time he has herd about this, said there were no recalls. Told me to contact Chevy to let em know they replaced the radio with abrand new one and to advise them of this issue. He ended with I have super human hearing haha.

Overall I love this car too much to take it back, I will keep it and just ignore the sound. Wife also agrees haha

Just curious if anyone has ever contacted Chevy about this. I would love for a CEO of GM or a high GM Tech to sit in this car and hear it with me. Wonder what explanation they would give haha.

 

[kiefferr]

I have a similar noise in my '10 (haven't noticed the dome light noise, just the turn signal squeal). I've only had the car about 2 weeks, so I haven't done anything about it yet...I pulled the Onstar fuse, and that doesn't seem to change anything...I suspect it is related to audio amplification...

 

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Kiefferr and bowtieman2011,

Thank you for posting your situations with your Malibu vehicles. I am documenting the noises that you are experiencing and getting it forwarded to the proper department.

I hope that you have a great week!
Michelle P., Chevrolet Customer Service

 

[Reggie]

I have not had radio issues, but I do here the dome shutting off.

My 7 year old thinks it sounds like a light saber shutting down.

 

[DrivenDaily]

Guys, remember one thing: To hear the clicking of the flashers the amp has to be on because that sounds is artificially generated, not the actual sound of a flasher can.

As for the noise from the dome lights dimming as they extinguish, no sound is required of the amp. But electronics can make audible noise when cycled at high frequencies such as when the lights are dimming. It'll be heard possibly from the light itself but more likely from the BCM where the action is happening.

If you wanna hear some louder electronic noise, turn the key to ACC and lift the hood! Both my '09 and the '11 made/make a loud enough noise that the hood needs to be down to muffle it. But standing outside the vehicle I can still hear it, although with the engine running it's more difficult.

 

[bowtieman2011]

@Chevrolet Customer Svc - thank you wow I didn't know there were actual Chevy employees on this site. This is awesome, hopefully Chevy will look into this more


Thanks everyone for replying and listening for the sounds. Bottom line seems like some type of interference is happening either from the amplifier or somewhere else in the electronics. Seems like it needs to be filtered more.
Or I just need to become less mutant in hearing

@DrivenDaily- your right I forget and I am not used to the artificial flasher clicks emitting through the speakers. I will check out the other sound you speak of in ACC mode

@Milo The hiss sound is a perfect way to describe it.

Lol at Reggie - Light saber is the perfect way to describe the Dome, maybe I should paint my red and someone else green so we can battle lol

Either way this car is so awesome, I found myself sometimes taking a long time getting out of it, then looking back when I roll away.
love to just sit in there and chill, my neighbors prob laugh because they see me reading the manual with the map light every night these past couple of days

 

[DrivenDaily]

...
love to just sit in there and chill, my neighbors prob laugh because they see me reading the manual with the map light every night these past couple of days

So, you're "infected", eh? We'll have to quarantine you. Too bad they don't have cars worth reading about. I wonder: if you go over and talk to them is it contagious? ...

 

[budman65]

Do you call that a BU BUG? Sorry, yes I know that was bad!

 

[kiefferr]

I am aware that the turn signal sounds are electrically generated, but on the test drive the salesman even commented on the noise...It must be relatively loud, as I work on and around airplanes all day and I can hear it easily...The same background noise is present with the radio on and the volume turned all the way down...I am guessing that it has something to do with the Bose system (since Bowtieman also has an LTZ) and the differing audio levels that are present as compared to the non-Bose system

I haven't noticed the dome light noise, but my previous car did the same PWM dimming on the dome light, so if it is making noise I haven't noticed it (nor would I care, it is part and parcel of turning something on and off quickly).

@ChevroletCustomerSvc - Let us know if you hear anything and thanks for being here!

 

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Kiefferr and others on this thread,

I will make sure to provide you with updates about this situation that you have been experiencing. I thank you in advance for you patience.

I hope that you all have a great week!
Michelle P., Chevrolet Customer Service

 

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Bowtieman2011,

It is my pleasure to assist you. I enjoy being on here and interacting with all of you.

If you have further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to direct message me.

I hope that you have a great week!
Michelle P., Chevrolet Customer Service

 

[bowtieman2011]

@ DrivenDaily & Budman65 -lol yes I am "infected" bu bug indeed!

@ kiefferr - True I do forget I haven't tested a non LTZ, I will try to go to the dealer tomorrow to pick up the car since they are installing a sunroof in it(part of the agreement I made before striking a deal lol wife gets what she wants haha) and see if i can sit in a LS LT1or2. I am curious very curious now!

Hopefully I won't get a salesman attack me and start talking haha
I will be like "shhhhhh shhhh...... listen!! do you hear it" with a crazy creepy look in my eye lol

 

[gust_1980]

you know what, i've posted something along these lines a few months ago. mine is a very high pitched 'whine' when my night time lights come on, not day time running lights. it's a very high frequency, like 15-20k, like that ringing in your ears after a loud concert. however, when i taper back the interior lights it goes down. it is very annoying and not everybody can hear it. i checked out a coworkes 09 2lt and her's didn't have it. im hoping that after i get some electrical stuff upgraded and redo my stereo that it will help. if not, then i guess i'll just have to play at loud enough volumes to drown it out.