Chevy Malibu: Runs Rough On Cold Start, Sometimes Stalls
video description
Date: 2020-08-05
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 10
Seth
I am about to start a college course in Agricultural Engineering this September, tractor technology is apparently only now starting to embrace CAN bus and electronic control modules. The course tutor told a story about how when a farmer called in a fault on his new tractor and a lad turned up with a laptop to fix it, he refused to pay the bill, because he thought he didn't fix it and the young guy was just playing with the laptop on his time! As a former IT guy, I am interested by your videos of doing diags with scantools, etc. but generally I like the rewarding nature of fixing stuff with your hands, which is sadly quite far removed from working on computers these days, very few IT techs work on hardware, it's all software stuff that your boss wants you to fix as fast as possible over the phone or via remote access. Thanks Eric!
reply
I am about to start a college course in Agricultural Engineering this September, tractor technology is apparently only now starting to embrace CAN bus and electronic control modules. The course tutor told a story about how when a farmer called in a fault on his new tractor and a lad turned up with a laptop to fix it, he refused to pay the bill, because he thought he didn't fix it and the young guy was just playing with the laptop on his time! As a former IT guy, I am interested by your videos of doing diags with scantools, etc. but generally I like the rewarding nature of fixing stuff with your hands, which is sadly quite far removed from working on computers these days, very few IT techs work on hardware, it's all software stuff that your boss wants you to fix as fast as possible over the phone or via remote access. Thanks Eric!
reply
Gus
If one is not in tune with the down and dirty explanation of the future of non-wrench repairs, the typical customer would think as you stated. oh. it needs a plug and wire fix. I am 71 years young and am thankful for guys like you, Eric, that take our hand and give us the informed understanding of these space age vehicles that we think operate the same as they did 30 years ago. I learn every time I watch your videos. You have educated me as to how my 2005 Chrysler Pacifica operates and needs the modern attention that you teach. Only wish I where 20 years younger and I would be the first in line to educate my mind to modern automotive electronics and ecm knowledge! Thanks. You are a bright light to honesty and education. Bless you.
reply
If one is not in tune with the down and dirty explanation of the future of non-wrench repairs, the typical customer would think as you stated. oh. it needs a plug and wire fix. I am 71 years young and am thankful for guys like you, Eric, that take our hand and give us the informed understanding of these space age vehicles that we think operate the same as they did 30 years ago. I learn every time I watch your videos. You have educated me as to how my 2005 Chrysler Pacifica operates and needs the modern attention that you teach. Only wish I where 20 years younger and I would be the first in line to educate my mind to modern automotive electronics and ecm knowledge! Thanks. You are a bright light to honesty and education. Bless you.
reply
WBlack75
Back in the day the first thing you did for any engine condition was a tune up. From watching your videos it seems like if you get good with the computers and electronics that it might actually help you find problems much quicker. I took a ford van to a friends shop this week for a misfire that was not throwing a code. Hooked to his verus and saw #1 was lagging. Changed the coil and the plug and she was good to go (300, 110 miles fleet vehicle. Back in the day you would of had too pull wires and find out which one was missing, not easy on a van. I personally feel the newer drive trains are better, if they would just quit rusting out before the vehicle wears out. I know. I'm preaching to the choir! Thanks for the videos
reply
Back in the day the first thing you did for any engine condition was a tune up. From watching your videos it seems like if you get good with the computers and electronics that it might actually help you find problems much quicker. I took a ford van to a friends shop this week for a misfire that was not throwing a code. Hooked to his verus and saw #1 was lagging. Changed the coil and the plug and she was good to go (300, 110 miles fleet vehicle. Back in the day you would of had too pull wires and find out which one was missing, not easy on a van. I personally feel the newer drive trains are better, if they would just quit rusting out before the vehicle wears out. I know. I'm preaching to the choir! Thanks for the videos
reply
BChrisL
I think the digital systems are far superior to the old mechanical control systems.
Anyone who lived through the lean burn days of the first attempts at smog control might, if they can remember what day it is, tell you of the engines that routinely stumbled as stalled as they warmed. Calibrated orifices that slowly advanced timing assuming the engine warmed at a specific rate. Huge catalytic converters that routinely got so hot that safety bulletins were issued warning people not to park over dry grass or leaves due to fire hazard.
Things are better and different. Before the service, that car was running poorly, after the service it was running much better.
Points and condenser just don't cut it anymore.
reply
I think the digital systems are far superior to the old mechanical control systems.
Anyone who lived through the lean burn days of the first attempts at smog control might, if they can remember what day it is, tell you of the engines that routinely stumbled as stalled as they warmed. Calibrated orifices that slowly advanced timing assuming the engine warmed at a specific rate. Huge catalytic converters that routinely got so hot that safety bulletins were issued warning people not to park over dry grass or leaves due to fire hazard.
Things are better and different. Before the service, that car was running poorly, after the service it was running much better.
Points and condenser just don't cut it anymore.
reply
mdcorman
Eric I like ALL your videos. do I still have to hit the likey bootun? :) Funny thing bout these newer cars with their technological advancements. So much easier to break down and the techs at the dealers usa\ually dont know what to do. I have a 2002 harley and the bike runs with a very slight jerk. Starts up fine accelerates great just at cruising speed it seems to jerk a little. Harley says no check engine light they can charge me 100 an hour to FIGURE out what it could be. I can do the same thing. They do have DIAGNOSTIC tool for harleys just seems like they dont want to invest in them and I dont have 1500 to buy one
reply
Eric I like ALL your videos. do I still have to hit the likey bootun? :) Funny thing bout these newer cars with their technological advancements. So much easier to break down and the techs at the dealers usa\ually dont know what to do. I have a 2002 harley and the bike runs with a very slight jerk. Starts up fine accelerates great just at cruising speed it seems to jerk a little. Harley says no check engine light they can charge me 100 an hour to FIGURE out what it could be. I can do the same thing. They do have DIAGNOSTIC tool for harleys just seems like they dont want to invest in them and I dont have 1500 to buy one
reply
Steve
So where can Joe Anyone find out if there are updates for our cars and trucks? I have an 02' F250, V10 that hasn't ever been back to a dealer or repair shop because it has always run very well. Only it is drinking more fuel than usual lately. 114K on the clock with factory plugs and coils. Never misses a beat. Yeah, I know those plugs are going to be murder, but that's also why they have never been out! A 4 level back fusion is my real excuse! lol. I just wouldn't mind getting a little better mileage or at least back to the lousy 11. 5 MPG I use to get!
reply
So where can Joe Anyone find out if there are updates for our cars and trucks? I have an 02' F250, V10 that hasn't ever been back to a dealer or repair shop because it has always run very well. Only it is drinking more fuel than usual lately. 114K on the clock with factory plugs and coils. Never misses a beat. Yeah, I know those plugs are going to be murder, but that's also why they have never been out! A 4 level back fusion is my real excuse! lol. I just wouldn't mind getting a little better mileage or at least back to the lousy 11. 5 MPG I use to get!
reply
John
You don't want programing to reset fuel comp. automatically because you might actually have more than 10 percent alcohol in the fuel. In my area (south Chicagoland) we have E85 everywhere. When a car comes in with fuel trim issues I check the ecm fuel comp then take a
fuel sample from vehicle and measure actual fuel comp. If less than 10% hit reset. If more than10% compare actual vs ecm calculation and if the difference is more than 15% drain all fuel and fill with regular gasoline (10% ethenol in our area) and then reset.
reply
You don't want programing to reset fuel comp. automatically because you might actually have more than 10 percent alcohol in the fuel. In my area (south Chicagoland) we have E85 everywhere. When a car comes in with fuel trim issues I check the ecm fuel comp then take a
fuel sample from vehicle and measure actual fuel comp. If less than 10% hit reset. If more than10% compare actual vs ecm calculation and if the difference is more than 15% drain all fuel and fill with regular gasoline (10% ethenol in our area) and then reset.
reply
Derek
I have a 98 Camaro Z28 that is experiencing the same symptoms. Being a 98 with a LS1, it is not flex fuel. I always run premium in it and have replaced the IACV. When I start it cold after sitting for a long period, it struggles to idle, backfires, stalls, etc unless I push the gas. When I hold the gas, the rpms surge up and down. After a minute or so, it runs fine. Any ideas? Im pretty stumped.
reply
I have a 98 Camaro Z28 that is experiencing the same symptoms. Being a 98 with a LS1, it is not flex fuel. I always run premium in it and have replaced the IACV. When I start it cold after sitting for a long period, it struggles to idle, backfires, stalls, etc unless I push the gas. When I hold the gas, the rpms surge up and down. After a minute or so, it runs fine. Any ideas? Im pretty stumped.
reply
Stanley
Hey Eric just stumbled across one of these same engine same year down in North Carolina with the same problem. There is also a P0420 in memory. I have a generic obd reader so can't do the reset how much do you think Chevy may charge for the reset and update? I also explained to the customer that they have a CA Emissions Vehicle and that the Cat will not be cheap.
reply
Hey Eric just stumbled across one of these same engine same year down in North Carolina with the same problem. There is also a P0420 in memory. I have a generic obd reader so can't do the reset how much do you think Chevy may charge for the reset and update? I also explained to the customer that they have a CA Emissions Vehicle and that the Cat will not be cheap.
reply
Anthony
The advent of computer systems on vehicles made them more reliable and easier to assemble. Back in the day, you had to stomp on the gas to set an automatic choke and that was far from trouble free. With technology comes change and with that technology comes new ways to run automobiles.
What we used to do with vacuum controls we now do with electricity.
reply
The advent of computer systems on vehicles made them more reliable and easier to assemble. Back in the day, you had to stomp on the gas to set an automatic choke and that was far from trouble free. With technology comes change and with that technology comes new ways to run automobiles.
What we used to do with vacuum controls we now do with electricity.
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
