2001 Malibu problem

[tmf6902]

My wife's malibu is acting strange. When you turn the car on the gas gauge will display the correct amount, then 25 seconds after you turned the car on it will drop to E. I am guessing the car is going some sort of system check, and after it's done it drops to E. Any idea's?? Also this happens with a full tank,half tank...etc.

 

It's a 2001 malibu with a 3.1 v6 I believe.

 

Also how the hell do you check the tranny fliud. There's no dipstick, and we looked in the manual, and it doesn't even mention the transmission, or checking the fluid.

 

thanks guys

 

TMF

[frdfandc]

Sounds like you fuel level sender has taken a crap on you.

[tmf6902]

I was thinking something like that.....that's probably inside the gas tank isn't it..LOL....anybody know how much something like that cost to fix?

[racer]

here's the tsb

Inaccurate or Erratic Fuel Gauge Reading, Fuel Pump Related Driveability Concerns (Install New Fuel Tank Sender)

2000-03 Chevrolet Cavalier, Malibu

 

2000-03 Oldsmobile Alero

 

2000-03 Pontiac Grand Am, Sunfire

 

2000-01 Toyota Cavalier

 

with Plastic Fuel Tanks

 

This bulletin is being revised to add a model year and to change the Correction information as well as the part number. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 01-06-04-008C (Section 06 - Engine).

 

Vehicles built between the following VIN breakpoints:

 

Model

VIN

 

Cavalier

Y7116423 - 37248901

 

YS102309 - 3S150515

 

Sunfire

Y7116426 - 37248904

 

YS102393 - 3S150516

 

 

Vehicles built prior to VIN breakpoint:

 

Model

VIN

 

Alero

3C250166

 

Grand Am

3M655917

 

Grand Am

3C250181

 

Malibu

3M655916

 

 

Condition

Some customers may comment about inaccurate or erratic fuel gauge readings. A typical comment might be that it appears from the gauge reading that there is fuel available, yet the tank is nearly empty.

 

Cause

This condition may be the result of the corrosive effect of certain fuel blends on the contact surfaces of the fuel tank sender.

 

Correction

 

Important

When servicing the fuel tank module or the fuel sender, DO NOT replace both parts. Only replace the appropriate part to repair the customer's concern.

The complete fuel level sender assembly P/N 22683260 is no longer available through GMSPO. This assembly is now serviced by a fuel tank module P/N 88957239 (minus sender) and the fuel tank sender, P/N 22709333. These two parts are no longer sold as one unit and can only be purchased separately.

Dealers within the provinces of British Columbia, Quebec, New Brunswick and the State of Maine, should refer to Customer Satisfaction Campaign 00101, dated January , 2001.

 

When fuel gauge diagnosis in the Service Manual indicates the cause to be the fuel tank sender, replace the existing sender with a new sender, P/N 22709333, with improved corrosion resistant wiper contacts.

 

 

Important

With the availability of this new fuel level sender kit, DO NOT replace the complete fuel level sender assembly, P/N 22683260.

 

 

To insure correct installation, follow the instructions contained in the kit and the service procedure in the applicable Service Manual.

 

Parts Information

Part Number

Description

 

22709333

Fuel Tank Sender Kit

[tmf6902]

cool......Another question...the car is a 2001, so it's out of the three year warrenty....it only has 18K miles, we got it from my grandfather and he only drove around town....since there is a TSB but it's out of warrenty, will I have to pay to get it fixed?

[SnakeEyeSS]

The transmission DOES NOT have a fill tube, you will need to serviece it similiar to a standard transmission car

 

WHY???

 

It is supposed to have a "lifetime fill"(I believe the morons who came up with that idea was in fact BMW, who uses a few GM transmissions. They started it with the 1990~ 8 Series).

 

Don't be a moron, change it regularly. 30,000-50,000+ depending on driving characteristics

[SnakeEyeSS]

cool......Another question...the car is a 2001, so it's out of the three year warrenty....it only has 18K miles, we got it from my grandfather and he only drove around town....since there is a TSB but it's out of warrenty, will I have to pay to get it fixed?

if its still in warranty they SHOULD fix it for free

but since it is out, you will pay, since it is a TSB. only Recalls are free, unless you have a nice dealership.

[tmf6902]

cool......Another question...the car is a 2001, so it's out of the three year warrenty....it only has 18K miles, we got it from my grandfather and he only drove around town....since there is a TSB but it's out of warrenty, will I have to pay to get it fixed?

if its still in warranty they SHOULD fix it for free

that's my problem though it's past the three year barrier, but not the milage so I guess it's out of warrenty. So I guess i'm gonna end up paying for it.....maybe I can get her to go in and cry or something....make em feel bad.

[SnakeEyeSS]

yeah crying might work!

[Truckman031]

They should fix it for free.

[CMNTMXR81]

Yea, there is a little cap underneath the air intake on the trans itself to fill and check. It's one of those "if you see fluid in the hole, you're ok" types.

 

And FYI, should you decide to change the fluid, it'll take like 15 quarts of fluid.