dpezzo

Hi all,

I have a 2001 Chevy Malibu with around 60K miles (with an extended warranty). Lately, the theft system light and sometimes the ABS lights come on, at random times, and stay on. Not always at the same time.

The theft light does not seem to kill the engine like I have read about on other sites, so it does not appear to be a serious problem, but I am a little concerned. I plan to call my dealer, but I wondered if anyone had any thoughts as to a cause.

I read on some other sites, that either the BCM (Body Control Module) or the ignition switch could be bad, but those cars actually would not start if the light came on, so I think that is different.

Regarding the ABS, I just had the brakes replaced, last month, but the ABS light just started coming this week (or last).

Again, thanks for any possible assistance on this.

MSD

The security light is going on because the resistor pellet in your key is either burnt-out or the contacts are dirty, and should be an easy fix. It won't disable the engine if, at some point during the drive, it gets a clear signal through. The logic is that if it stops working mid-drive, you still need to get back home, so it starts the next time. If it gets a signal during the next drive, which is probable due to everything bouncing around, it resets, and although it loses the signal except for that brief moment when it conencts, it waits until the next time it's started to check for the right key code, and the process repeats.

The ABS light may be as simple as the ECU needing a reset after the battery went dead. Mine (another GM car) did that, and not only did the light come on, the brakes locked themselves on and I barely made it to the side of the road.

laconic1

Malibu's are legendary for front wheel speed sensors going out, and causing ABS lights. The sensor comes as part of the hub, and it is about $400 for the part. IIRC the DTC's are c1226 and c1227.

souzafone

I'm with crazybill on your ABS light. The security light is a different issue. Your Malibu has the resistance pellet located in the ignition lock case, not in the key. There are some bulletins dealing with problems in that part as well as the ignition switch and the lock cylinder itself.

itlain

I had a 1999 Chevy monte carlo which I believe is the same body style still. I had the same problem with the theft light. Eventually it got bad enough though that the car wouldn't start. Mine wasn't a problem with the key; however it was with the resistor reader in the ignition cylinder. They wanted some high price to replace the cylinder. I ended up fixing it with a .15 cent resistor from Radio Shack. Just take a multimeter and read the resistance coming across the pellet in the key. Goto your local friendly radioshack and get a resistor. There are a few wires running from under the steering column. Just solder it into the right one and your good to go. If you want more exact information on which wires I can dig the info up. I just don't recall it off the top of my head right now.

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MSD

I'm 99.9% sure that the resistor pellet is in the key. The reader (which has a tendency to fail rather suddenly) is in the ignition.

Craven Morehead

^ if you have a spare key, try that. I had the same problem, different key and it worked fine.

dpezzo

Thanks to everyone who responded. It is a huge help. My wife has an extra key, so I will try that. It doesn't happen all the time, and it has been behaving since I first posted my question. My car must have heard me typing...