2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU check engine light

Notice:Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to your vehicle that wouldn't be covered
by your warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling it
won't work, and it could damage your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
Notice:If the other system isn't a 12-volt system
with a negative ground, both vehicles can be
damaged.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren't touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don't want. You wouldn't be able to
start your vehicle, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake ®rmly on both vehicles involved in
the jump start procedure. Put an automatic
transaxle in PARK (P) or a manual transaxle in
NEUTRAL before setting the parking brake.
Notice:If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn't be covered by
your warranty.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or in the accessory power outlet. Turn off
the radio and all lamps that aren't needed. This will
avoid sparks and help save both batteries. And it
could save your radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find the
positive (+) and negative (-) terminal locations on
each vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for more information on location.
{CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the
engine is not running and can injure you.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
5-37

{CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing
this, and some have been blinded. Use a
¯ashlight if you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You
don't need to add water to the ACDelco
ž
battery installed in your new vehicle. But if a
battery has ®ller caps, be sure the right
amount of ¯uid is there. If it is low, add water
to take care of that ®rst. If you don't, explosive
gas could be present.
Battery ¯uid contains acid that can burn you.
Don't get it on you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, ¯ush the place with
water and get medical help immediately.5. Check that the jumper cables don't have loose or
missing insulation. If they do, you could get a
shock. The vehicles could be damaged, too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some
things you should know. Positive (+) will go
to positive (+) or to a remote positive (+) terminal if
the vehicle has one. Negative (-) will go to a
heavy, unpainted metal engine part or to a remote
negative (-) terminal if the vehicle with the dead
battery has one.
Don't connect positive (+) to negative (-) or you'll
get a short that would damage the battery and
maybe other parts, too. And don't connect
the negative (-) cable to the negative (-) terminal
on the dead battery because this can cause sparks.
{CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure
you badly. Keep your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5-38

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-16
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-31
Additional Program Information........................... 7-8
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-5
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-76
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade)............................3-39, 3-43, 3-50
Air Bag System, Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS)................................1-48
Air Bag .........................................................3-26
Readiness Light..........................................3-26
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-17
AM ...............................................................3-57
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-59
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)............................ 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-28
Appearance Care............................................5-67
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-70
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-73
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-68
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-71
Finish Damage............................................5-73
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-72
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-73Appearance Care (cont.)
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-73
Weatherstrips..............................................5-70
Ashtrays........................................................3-17
Audio System(s).............................................3-36
Care of Your Cassette
Tape Player.............................................3-58
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-59
Care of Your CDs........................................3-59
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-59
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-59
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-48
Radio with CD....................................3-37, 3-41
Setting the Time for Radios with
Radio Data Systems (RDS).......................3-37
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS).......................3-36
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-57
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-57
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-13
Automatic Transaxle Inspection.........................6-16
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System Check.............................................6-17
Automatic Transaxle........................................5-18
Fluid..........................................................5-18
Operation...................................................2-20
1

Charging System Light....................................3-27
Check...........................................................3-30
Engine Light...............................................3-30
Check Engine Light.........................................3-30
Checking Coolant............................................5-20
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-13
Checking Things Under the Hood....................... 5-9
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-54
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-73
Child Restraints..............................................1-35
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-35
Infants and Young Children...........................1-31
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-40
Older Children.............................................1-28
Securing a Child Restraint Designed
for the LATCH System..............................1-41
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center
Rear Seat Position...................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Outside Seat Position...............................1-42
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-46
Top Strap...................................................1-38
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-39
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-38
Chime Level Adjustment..................................3-59Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-17
Cleaning........................................................5-68
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-68
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-71
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-73
Weatherstrips..............................................5-70
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels..............................5-72
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-71
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-68
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-70
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-70
Cleaning Leather............................................5-69
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-70
Cleaning Tires................................................5-72
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-69
Cleaning Windshield and Wiper Blades..............5-72
Climate Control System...................................3-17
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-21
Compact Disc Messages.................3-41, 3-47, 3-56
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-66
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Coolant.........................................................3-29
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-29
Heater, Engine............................................2-19
Low Warning Light.......................................3-29
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-21
Cooling System..............................................5-24
3

E
Electrical System............................................5-76
Add-On Equipment......................................5-76
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-77
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-76
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-76
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-76
Emergency Trunk Release Handle.....................2-13
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-32
Engine..........................................................5-17
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-17
Battery.......................................................5-36
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-30
Compartment Overview................................5-12
Coolant Heater............................................2-19
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-29
Coolant......................................................5-19
Cooling System Inspection............................6-20
Exhaust.....................................................2-26
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-22
Starting......................................................2-18
Engine Compartment Fuse Block......................5-80
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-15
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................4-40Engine Oil Additives........................................5-16
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-15
Entry/Exit Lighting...........................................3-15
Express-Down Window....................................2-15
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-28
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-12
F
Filter.............................................................5-17
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-17
Finding a Station............................3-38, 3-42, 3-48
Finding PTY Stations...............................3-44, 3-51
Finish Care....................................................5-71
Finish Damage...............................................5-73
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-59
Flash-to-Pass Feature....................................... 3-7
Flat Tire........................................................5-56
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-57
Fluid.............................................................5-18
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-18
Power Steering...........................................5-30
Windshield Washer......................................5-31
FM ...............................................................3-57
Fog Lamps....................................................3-14
Folding the Seatback........................................ 1-5
5

I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-23
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-22
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-31
If the Light Is on Steady..................................3-31
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-27
If You Do Decide To Pull a Trailer.....................4-35
If You're Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-25
Ignition Positions.............................................2-17
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check..........................6-18
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-31
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure..................................5-49
Inspection......................................................6-20
Brake System.............................................6-20
Engine Cooling System................................6-20
Exhaust System..........................................6-19
Fuel System...............................................6-19
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-19
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal.........................................6-19
Throttle System...........................................6-20
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-15
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Passenger's Side)....5-79
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Driver's Side).......5-78
Instrument Panel.............................................3-23
Cluster.......................................................3-23
Overview..................................................... 3-2
Interior Lamps................................................3-15
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-36
K
Key Lock Cylinders Service..............................6-16
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-3
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Lamps...........................................................3-12
Exterior......................................................3-12
Interior.......................................................3-15
Lap Belt........................................................1-24
Lap-Shoulder Belt...................................1-12, 1-21
LATCH System...............................................1-40
Child Restraints...........................................1-40
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-41
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running.....................................................2-24
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-11
Light.............................................................3-26
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-26
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-28
Brake System Warning.................................3-27
7

Light (cont.)
Charging System.........................................3-27
Check Oil Level..........................................3-33
Door Ajar...................................................3-34
Low Coolant Warning...................................3-29
Low Washer Fluid Warning...........................3-34
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-30
Oil Pressure...............................................3-32
Passlock
žWarning.......................................3-34
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-25
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-35
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-32
Lockout Protection..........................................2-11
Locks............................................................. 2-8
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-8
Door........................................................... 2-7
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-11
Lockout Protection.......................................2-11
Power Door.................................................. 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-9
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-10
Long Trip/Highway De®nition.............................. 6-5
Long Trip/Highway Intervals............................... 6-5
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance........6-11
Loss of Control...............................................4-12
Low Coolant Warning Light..............................3-29
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.......................3-34
M
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts............5-83
Maintenance Schedule.....................................6-15
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-15
At Least Once a Month................................6-15
At Least Once a Year..................................6-16
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-16
Brake System Inspection..............................6-20
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-20
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-19
Fuel System Inspection................................6-19
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance.....6-11
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services..............6-15
Part C - Periodic MaintenanceInspections.......6-19
Part D - Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants...............................................6-21
Part E - Maintenance Record.........................6-22
Selecting the Right Schedule.......................... 6-4
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance............. 6-6
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection..........................6-19
Throttle System Inspection............................6-20
Using Your................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
8

Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-40
Making Turns.................................................4-38
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-30
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual Windows............................................2-14
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-5
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean
Islands/Countries (Except Puerto Rico and
U.S. Virgin Islands) ± Customer Assistance....... 7-4
Mirrors..........................................................2-28
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-28
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-29
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-29
Outside Remote Control Mirrors.....................2-28
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-16
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............5-83
O
Odometer......................................................3-24
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-11
Oil ................................................................3-33
Check Oil Level Light...................................3-33
Engine.......................................................5-13
Pressure Light.............................................3-32Oil (cont.)
Older Children, Restraints................................1-28
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
Operation Tips................................................3-21
Operation......................................................3-17
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-4
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-21
Outside.........................................................2-29
Convex Mirror.............................................2-29
Power Mirrors.............................................2-29
Remote Controls Mirrors...............................2-28
Overseas ± Customer Assistance........................ 7-4
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
Owner's Information........................................7-10
P
Park (P)........................................................2-25
Shifting Into................................................2-23
Shifting Out of............................................2-25
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle
Park (P) Mechanism Check...........................6-18
Parking on Hills..............................................4-39
Parking.........................................................2-23
Brake........................................................2-23
Over Things That Burn.................................2-26
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services............. 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.................6-15
Part C - Periodic MaintenanceInspections...........6-19
9