I've been looking around and I'm noticing this issue with other cars on here as I see a few post and the problem being the fuse box issue when hot outs gonna try this but any suggestions still welcome

 

Get your battery load tested. Especially if it's over 3 yrs old.

 

I bought another battery put it in and same thing no start. Any other suggestions?

 

Update: So i replaced battery so i crossed that issue off, next i jumped the relay with wires to check that starter and it turn over wanted to start, also i had a mechanic check it he splice the purple wire and hooked it to the positive and it cranked so the starter has been ruled out. the mechaic thinks that it could be the ignition switch as he has experienced the same exact issue with other chevy malibus and thinks replacing the ignition switch might be the answer although he said it might be a issue with the key and might have to flash the computer to the key not sure if i would have to do that. he also mentioned the fuse box issue discussed here where the break in the copper wiring under the fuse box has lost continuity and has to be soldered to be fixed or replaced. any other suggestions or ideas?

Also read the code coming up as u0100 - “Lost Communication with ECM/PCM ' maybe ecu is cooked but mech says its good becuase its still communicating codes although when i try to scan with autel it wont communicate with the computer.

 

im thinking there is a short in the fuse box, so im considering changing the fuse box out to see if thats the issue. my other idea is something to do with the bcu at the fuse box in the car maybe??

Your mechanic may have experience with older models than yours. But that's where he needs to check his manuals for more updated info.

The Gen7 has a BCM (body control module) that handles all activities inside the cabin. Gone are the days of heavy wires and large ignition switches that actually carry the amperage of yesteryear. The ignition switch in your car uses tiny wires and a resistor or two that communicate your intent to the BCM. It quickly checks a list to make sure that it will send a request to the ECM to start the engine. The ECM quickly checks another list and then commands the starter to crank.

You can simply "bump" the key to the Start position and the computers will finish the job for you. I discovered this when my battery was getting weak (350 CCA vs 800 when new). It was taking a bit longer to crank than normal. Sometimes it would crank for several seconds without me even holding the key in the Start position!

It's not likely that the ignition switch needs to be replaced.

It's also not likely that the BCM will need to be flashed.

A greater likelihood is that the fuse box may need some attention. However, anytime there is a "short" in wiring, that means that a wire has made a connection, either to another wire or straight to ground. It's the same as if a switch has been added and then turned on.

Put your efforts toward that "U" code.

Read this thread before spending money on stuff that probably doesn't need to be fixed.

FRETTING CORROSION: Service Traction Control/ ESC (See...

Saw there hasn't been a post on this for awhile. Had the Traction Control/ECS issue. First noticed the cruise control kicked off, my RPM went up, the car slowed down. I switched over to manual mode. The warning messages were flashing on and off. I held the info button down and they reset. Since...

www.chevymalibuforum.com

 

im thinking there is a short in the fuse box, so im considering changing the fuse box out to see if thats the issue. my other idea is something to do with the bcu at the fuse box in the car maybe??

 

ok everyone so i completed the "fretting corrosion" recall thing where i unhhooked the connectors and applied dielectric grease to the bcm put everything together and nothing still no start, same issue. so i then checked all the fuses in the engine bay box all were good so i though becuase of all the threads i read about the copper wires breaking under heat i got another fuse box cheap and switched it out and still same thing no start wont even crank. im frustrated now as i thought for sure it was either of the causing this. so now im only to believe based on a few threads i read it may be the ecm has gone bad, thats the only thing i can think of based on the u100 code i got from my reader. although the check engine isnt on but the traction control light is on but i think that may be irrelevent to the issue. i also looked around the engine compartment at all the connectors to see if any were loose or wore down and i didnt see anything. like i siad next step maybe replacing ecm. if anyone has any ideas or suggestions it would be appreciated. thanks

 

When you did the 'fretting corrosion' stuff, did you unplug and plug in the BCM connectors several times? Doing that is what burnishes the contacts and helps them to make better contact. The grease is just there to help slow new corrosion by keeping the environment at bay.

A quick search for U0100 comes up with this:

The U0100 is a diagnostic trouble code defined as Lost Communication with Powertrain Control Module (PCM). This means there is lost network communication between your Electronic Control Module (ECM) and one or more modules. There is a strong possibility of a problem with the CAN bus wiring disrupting the communications.

 

Yes i unplugged and plugged the connecter a dozen times each

 

When you did the 'fretting corrosion' stuff, did you unplug and plug in the BCM connectors several times? Doing that is what burnishes the contacts and helps them to make better contact. The grease is just there to help slow new corrosion by keeping the environment at bay.

A quick search for U0100 comes up with this:

I have a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu LT 2.4 I had these the same issues with my car so I replaced the battery the alternator the starter and all of the fuse even the relays come to find out It was my ECM that need replaced. I had to get it towed to a Chevrolet dealership to have them placed it on the machine and it was the ECM which was 500 hundreds total of $891 this just happened to me.

 

yea i think im going to order the ecm today you can get them online pre programmed for like 100 bucks ready to go so that the next thing, before i do that im going to recheck all the relays specifically the fuel pump relays and fuse then do another thorough inspection of all wire connections i can see in the engine bay and fuses just in case and try to run my scanner on it again to see if i can pick up any other details. other than that im going new ecm

 

hey does anyone know if its safe to unplug my ecm wires without causing any problems ??

 

so i ran my reader and got some other info, i got a dtc code of p0572 brake switch also siad ignition not running but thats obvious at this point

 

Is your scan tool capable of reading U, C and B codes? If not, you're not getting the full picture.
ECM or PCM is not a common failure, it happens but a lot of folks jump to that conclusion the same as changing injectors that are not the problem. I'd would do the dealer and bite the bullet on price for a sure diagnosis and a warranty on parts/programming.

 

Quick update, I checked the fuel pump fuse and relay in trunk compartment and they are good. Also disconnected battery negative cable from ground positions on chassis and engine bolt and cleaned them real good although they looked clean already and cleaned both positive and negative connections to the battery, just in case. Only other thing I want to check is ignition or switch but so far everything is pointing to the ecm.

 

Ok everyone just a update, changed the ecu with preprogrammed ecu and still no luck the u0100 went away briefly but then came back on had my mech buddy scan it he says still leading to ecm some how. We also double check the connections and still nothin

I changed the ecm with a preprogrammed ecu and still no change and not starting. I'm not sure what else to do or check besides the ignition switch

Any one care to help out with some suggestions?

 

Ok so final update to presumably close this thread. Come to find out I was correct in the ecu bad and changing it unfortunately the new programmed ecu I bought online was also bad apparently it's one of those one off things where u get a defective part fresh from the factory. Cost me a bit to find out but none the less it was a bad ecu, changed it and bam started right up. So that's it. The battle is over.

 

I'm going through everything u have went through currently where did u purchase the new ecm

 

Ebay, theres are a few sellers but be careful, you have to make sure its right part number and its correctly programmed to your car by vin #. I got a bad ecm from there and it caused me to think ither things were wrong in other places when it was just bad new part. You can try and see if it works. I would suggest buying a used one with same part number and have either dealership or someone with the ecm programming machine do it for you. Hope you get it fixed. Update and let us know what happened.

 

Mine is doing the same thing

 

Did you figure it out??? I did. The tow truck driver helped me figure it out. It was the battery fuse block. Let me know if you need help finding it if that's what it may be.

 

2013 Chevy Malibu Lt1/ 2.5L
I just got the service power steering message while it was running and shut it off thinking of it would go away but it never started again after that. No crank or clicks. Just power and that message plus air bag but doubt that's it (airbag). Unhooked the battery and nothing. Fuse 29 was blown changed it and still the same. Power no crank or clicks. Then the radio doesn't want to shut off so I have to unhook the battery. Tapped the starter and nothing. Just bought a brand new battery and nothing. Very frustrating. Any help asap please???

 

I just got the service power steering message while it was running and shut it off thinking of it would go away but it never started again after that. No crank or clicks. Just power and that message plus air bag but doubt that's it (airbag). Unhooked the battery and nothing. Fuse 29 was blown changed it and still the same. Power no crank or clicks. Then the radio doesn't want to shut off so I have to unhook the battery. Tapped the starter and nothing. Just bought a brand new battery and nothing. Very frustrating. Any help asap please???

Please share what year and engine is your car.