2005 Malibu Maxx

[cinluhu]

I bought a 2005 Chevy Malibu Maxx last year and have had too many problems with it. The current problem makes the 2nd time that the dealer's shop can't figure out the cause...the first time last year was that the dealer finally had to fly in an engineer to repair the power steering assbly (car out of control on road). The current problem is a whining sound coming from the rear which the mechanics heard twice and cannot pinpoint the cause. Ironically, the car was in for an oil change and tire rotation recently. Prior to the whining noise, one day the ABS light came on and I reset it according to the manual which caused it to go off and hasn't come on since. However, the noise started after that and the dealer says the ABS is ok. The low coolant light came on a day after the ABS light ordeal so I made sure it had plenty even though all fluids were supposedly checked with the oil change on 10/1/07. Does anyone here have any idea in which direction to point the dealer's people?

[forsbach427]

it is a solid real axel right? well maybe one of the bearings in it are going out, thats all i can think of for a fwd car making a whine in the rear.

[Canyonaro]

Originally Posted by forsbach427

it is a solid real axel right? well maybe one of the bearings in it are going out, thats all i can think of for a fwd car making a whine in the rear.

Nope the Malis are IRS, but it may not hurt checking things like the calipers, tires, and such. Sounds like your 2005 has been on some hard times, my 04 has been solid so it can be a good car. Just keep pressing them to get things done.

Others I am sure will pipe in with some good ideas.

[BigAls87Z28]

Rear wining? I would suspect the rear wheel hub bearings.
Low coolant light? Did you check your coolant reserve bottle? I only got that message when I was making an extreem right hand turn, causing the fluid to fly to one side.
I do get a Check Engine light code that says something about my coolant, but ive clearned it out twice and havent had it come back on.
The electric steering has proven to be a low point on an otherwise pretty flawless car. I would have them replace the rack/steering colum while its still (hopefully) under warranty.
Also check the rear wheel bearings for play or noise. When do you hear the noise? Above 30-40mph? Does it get worse when you turn to the side its coming from or away from the side?

[cinluhu]

Thks to all for ur input. The whining noise in the rear does start above 30-40 mph and I guess it's going to take an all day stay in the shop...again. They did a multipoint inspection on the BG cart and the car is still under warranty but they can't figure it out. Last year, after numerous inconveniences to the shop, they finally figured out the problem with the power steering wheel assbly and repaired it but it could have killed me during the process....I had to drive about 35 mph on the hwy and grip the wheel to keep it on the road. Thus, I'm now wondering just how safe this car is to drive with a noise in the rear...and I'm disabled.

[MalibuMaxxSS]

your power steering problem was the electronic assist (they are not 'power' anymore) most likely and the tech should have known about this since there was a bulliten, mine did the same thing, it would steer on its own, more or less, nothing else happended to it tho, and my new 06 SS has been a delight..

The coolant light came on wiht mine as well, I not sure on the 3.5 like yours is, butthe SS with the 3.9 run hotter anyhow..just added a little

[daygon]

Originally Posted by cinluhu

I bought a 2005 Chevy Malibu Maxx last year and have had too many problems with it. The current problem makes the 2nd time that the dealer's shop can't figure out the cause...the first time last year was that the dealer finally had to fly in an engineer to repair the power steering assbly (car out of control on road). The current problem is a whining sound coming from the rear which the mechanics heard twice and cannot pinpoint the cause. Ironically, the car was in for an oil change and tire rotation recently. Prior to the whining noise, one day the ABS light came on and I reset it according to the manual which caused it to go off and hasn't come on since. However, the noise started after that and the dealer says the ABS is ok. The low coolant light came on a day after the ABS light ordeal so I made sure it had plenty even though all fluids were supposedly checked with the oil change on 10/1/07. Does anyone here have any idea in which direction to point the dealer's people?

sorry this is a little off topic ... but you said you had to fix the steering on your car last year ... i have a G6 that pulls left like crazy (malibu and g6 are the same base) ... what kind of steering issues did you have? and if you had a topic here please share a link ... thank you ...

as for the noise comming from the rear it could be the wheel bearing ... how many miles do you have on your car? and it could also be tires ... did your car sit somewhere for a long time without driving it because that messed up the tires

[ctaylorzl1]

my G/F's 06 SS has had the "Low Coolant" problem for a while now! It has been pressure tested, blead, leaked checked, everything. And the dealer said that the sensors on the 3900's are prone to error anyway, and there was no real problem. The 3900's run fairly hot anyway(almost into the redzone!). So I wouldnt worry about that. Other than that(and a faulty battery) she has had no real problems with the car, although yesterday I did hear a steering noise a time or two, but I may have been pairanoid and it may have been nothing. I always get nervous when a car is about to go out of warrenty. We did test a Subaru Legacy GT and a 07 R32(8500 miles) latley, and the Legacy GT may be the successor to the Bu.

[montrealvue]

Originally Posted by cinluhu

Thks to all for ur input. The whining noise in the rear does start above 30-40 mph and I guess it's going to take an all day stay in the shop...again.

...look on the bright side, you'll have a free loaner for the day....your car is under warranty right?