CHEVROLET MALIBU 2003 5.G Owners Manual

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

6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive
(+) terminal of the dead battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.7. Don't let the other end
touch metal. Connect it
to the positive (+)
terminal of the good
battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal
if the vehicle has one.
8. Now connect the black
negative (-) cable to
the negative (-)
terminal of the good
battery. Use a remote
negative (-) terminal
if the vehicle has one.
5-39

Don't let the other end touch anything until the next
step. The other end of the negative (-) cable
doesn't go to the dead battery. It goes to a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part or to a remote
negative (-) terminal on the vehicle with the dead
battery.
9. Connect the other end of the negative (-) cable at
least 18 inches (45 cm) away from the dead battery,
but not near engine parts that move. The electrical
connection is just as good there, and the chance
of sparks getting back to the battery is much less.If the THEFT SYSTEM light ¯ashes, wait until the
light stops ¯ashing.
10. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run
the engine for a while.
11. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery.
If it won't start after a few tries, it probably needs
service.
Notice:Damage to your vehicle may result from
electrical shorting if jumper cables are removed
incorrectly. To prevent electrical shorting, take care
that the cables don't touch each other or any
other metal. The repairs wouldn't be covered by
your warranty.
5-40

A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead BatteryTo disconnect the jumper cables from both vehicles,
do the following:
1. Disconnect the black negative (-) cable from the
vehicle that had the dead battery.
2. Disconnect the black negative (-) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the
other vehicle.
Jumper Cable Removal
5-41

Bulb Replacement
For bulb types, seeReplacement Bulbs on page 5-47.
For any bulb changing procedures not listed in this
section, contact your dealer.
Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside
and can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb.
You or others could be injured. Be sure to read
and follow the instructions on the bulb
package.
Headlamps
A. Front Turn Signal
B. High-Beam Headlamp
C. Low-Beam Headlamp
5-42

1. Open the hood.
2. Carefully pull directly up on the two latches to
unhook the lamp assembly.
3. Remove the lamp assembly from the vehicle by
pulling it forward. Use care not to scratch the
vehicle with the lamp or the lamp with the fender.4. Unclip the wiring harness and twist the socket
less than one-quarter turn counterclockwise and
remove it.
5. Gently wiggle the bulb from the socket. Replace the
old bulb with a new bulb.
6. Turn the socket back into place and reconnect the
wiring harness to the socket.
7. Return the lamp assembly to its original position.
Be sure to line up the holes in the lamp assembly
to the round ends of the mounting pins.
8. Press down on the two latches to hook the lamp
assembly in place.
5-43

Front Turn Signal Lamps
1. Remove the headlamp assembly as described inBulb Replacement on page 5-42.
2. Once it has been removed, press the tab on the
white socket while twisting it less than one-quarter
turn counterclockwise and pull it out.3. Remove the old bulb and replace it with a new one.
4. Turn the socket back into place.
5. Return the lamp assembly to its original position.
Be sure to line up the holes in the lamp assembly
to the round ends of the mounting pins.
6. Press down on the two latches to hook in the lamp
assembly.
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL)
1. Open the trunk and locate the CHMSL housing on
the underside of the rear window shelf.
2. Twist the socket one-quarter turn counterclockwise
to remove it.
3. Gently remove burned out bulb and replace with a
new one.
4. Turn the socket back into place.
5. Close the trunk.
5-44

Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps
and Back-up Lamps
A. Rear Turn Signal Lamp
B. Taillamp/Stoplamp
C. Back-Up Lamp1. Open the trunk.
2. Unscrew the fastener
located on the inside of
the trunk at the rear
of the vehicle.
3. Gently pull back the trunk trim.
5-45

4. Remove the three plastic wing nuts. 5. Pull out the taillamp assembly to expose the
backplate.
5-46