2004 Chev Malibu tech

[DCVING 6]

My wife drives a 2004 Malibu, newer body style. It has the 2.2L 4 banger that gets 34mpg by the way.

Strange problem... EVERY time she fills the tank up, for the rest of the day, the gas guage will go from full to empty repeatedly. It will stay on E for a bit, the light will come on and the little message screen on the radio will say low fuel. Then it goes back to full, and repeats very randomly. The weird part is, it only does it the day she fills the tank.

 

[KILL4PEACEUSMC]

Gm has a few TSB's on this problem, ranging from reflash ECM to deformed fuel tanks. If less than 50k on your car, should be a freebie.

 

[DCVING 6]

Yikes, 42k miles. Just take it into dealer? FWIW, we did not buy it new.

 

[klrv6]

It could just be a dead/dirty spot in the float. I think I saw fuel injection cleaner that would clean up the wire on the sending unit.

 

[KILL4PEACEUSMC]

really doesnt matter that your not the orignal owner, I would give em a call. I have an 03 Chevy HD and got my instament cluster warranted with 150K!

 

[DCVING 6]

Called the service guy today. He said that the bulletin is just to announce that there may be a problem, that it is not a re-call thing. Guess I will be paying for it then?

Would a competent repair shop be able to do the re-flash, or is that a GM only thing?

 

[KILL4PEACEUSMC]

Sounds like he's just letting you know that GM knows about the problem, but might charge you. I would ask him if you would be charged to diag. the problem and if it was found to be a TSB issue would you be charged. Most competent shops now a days (if they wanna keep up with the industry) have to have the resources to flash ecm's or know who can do it for them. We have a Parts Plus Jobber that re flashes the ecm for you when you buy a reman unit from them. We typically charge 100 to re flash domestics here at our shop, and "farm out" imports to my friends shop in Tucson or sometimes you have almost no choice to go to the dealer i.e.. BMW. I would have the problem first diagnosed before I spent money to have the computer re flashed. That way if the damn gas tank was deformed from the factory, that's something GM has to warranty. PERIOD

 

[gsgns4me]

Called the service guy today. He said that the bulletin is just to announce that there may be a problem, that it is not a re-call thing. Guess I will be paying for it then?

Would a competent repair shop be able to do the re-flash, or is that a GM only thing?

Ask if the repair for the problem is covered under the emissions warranty.