It dont make any sense in how technology can help us, but also hinder us when I first got the car I had told the dealer that I needed a reliable car because I have a job that I have to get to on time and two kids that also ride in the car, only a week later it happen in front of the store in 100 degree wheather with my kids in the car the theft light went flashing and we had to wait 10mins until it started I had a 87 oldsmobile and never had any problems as far as it starting, and what makes it so bad they make cars now where you have to take the to the shop because the engine is in cased and everthing so close together,just like with the transmission fluid you have to get the car jaked up on a rake just to check that I just want some help in getting this car fixed without costing a arm and leg and by the way what yellow wire?

I too have the problem of getting in the car and what I think "starting" the car. Only to have the anti-theft light to flash. Of course like everyone else, I have to wait about 10 minutes. Although, sometimes I find if I push my car a little that it will crank. This is an extreme pain! I have been stuck in the heat, late for work, etc because of this problem. Is it possible that the fuel pump is going bad though? After reading all the other complaints, I'm beginning to hesistate on having the pump replaced that it ISN'T the fuel pump. In addition, I have had twice where I fill my gas tank up, but the gas gauge registers as EMPTY. Lastly, the AC is a joke! My original system jumped from actual a/c to the recycle setting. My boyfriend replaced it with the one from the junk yard. I haven't had that problem since but the air still doesn't get cold. I will be so happy when I can replace this junk car with something better!

i too have been stuck with this light on... blinking, with the kids in car, in the middle of winter, missed work, i have been late for work, car restarts more recently with in 5-10 mins. of continually trying and mother fu@&ing it. i was told by a mechanic to try turning the ignition all the way over to start and letting it sit there for 11 seconds and than turn it off and do this procedure again and then try it again.... this has helped for the last 4 months but the damn light JUST STARTED TO COME ON AGAIN!!! im afraid that if i am out and about with my kids i am going to get stranded with them... im noticing that a few people have said something about cutting a wire and blowing air into it and it helps? i will take any advice and hope that this doesn't happen again. but wtf i think Chevy should have a recall about this and GET IT FIXED! WE DON'T SPEND OUR HARD earned money to FIX FIX FIX FIX these damn cars we expect that they will RUN for MORE than 10 years... i also own a 1987 dodge Dakota........... RUNS GREAT! (22 years old) does that say anything?! dodge a better product? or is it just shabbier and shabbier work has been done since the late 90's vehicles? not to mention that the older vehicles didn't have all this computer sh*t to them so less time at a "licensed mechanic" and more time people where ABLE to work on them ourselves! = cheaper cost to us! we shouldn't HAVE to replace cars that are less than 10 years old! not everyone makes the kind of money to KEEP making PAYMENTS CONSTANTLY! yes, i have 165,000 miles on the car BUT i have had it regularly maintained. this shouldn't be happening!

ok I'm 17 and was had been out shopping with my all night. our final stop was target. i shut the car off, lock the doors and go inside. about an hour later i went to get my car and when i turned the key over lights, radio, ect came on but when i turned the key all the way over to start the car absolutely nothing happened. no sound nothing. keep in mind this is my first car and i bought it all by myself. i was a mess. i ended up having it towed which ended up costing a fortune and they haven't told me exactly what happened.whatever it is im pissed and broke.

Every so often, car will not start. If the car sits for awhile it will start right up, and the problem may not happen again for weeks or months. A friend of mine told me it was a problem with theft deterrent system. He said if the car doesn't start, turn the key to the on position so that the instrument lights come on, wait about five minutes and the car will start.My daughter got stuck today, I recommended to her to try the above . she did and the car started right up I don't know if that is the answer or she was just lucky. I've had the car to my mechanic who can't find any problem

My husband has a 2000 Chevy Malibu and along with many others on here have had the problem with the anti theft light coming on and not being able to start the car for 10 minutes. my father in law also has the same car, same year, and same goddamn problem. we took ours to the local Chevy dealer to have it fixed, $1300.00 later and a new ignition switch, and fuel pump system and the problem is still here 2 years later. We had it towed in 2 times after they "fixed" it. Now his ignition wont even turn!!!! He works in construction doing underground cable work and when hes ready to come home hes ready to go and this anti theft crap has become a huge problem with me having to drop what i am doing and getting both of our kids ready and to go pick him up and then having to take him back to work in the morning. never know whether the car will start after turning it off is horrible!!!! he gets stranded for over 30 minutes, weve had the keys checked, switched from his key which was used all the time to the spare key, and it hasn't made a difference. and the cooling system so many others complain about do the same thing in both my husbands and father in laws cars. it switched from the actual a/c to the recycle type setting. the air doesn't even get cold and we've recharged the a/c before and its just turned into a nightmare. luckily the car is paid off and we may be junking it after this. its not worth the unreliability anymore. My HONDA has been a better car by far. the fact so many people have the same problems and yet i haven't seen a recall for them to fix it. Come on, this is a HUGE problem many many many people have, jobs are at risk if they cant get to work on time, single moms and dads have kids to pick up, the elderly have doctor appointments to make it to and Chevy doesn't seem to care at all. this is craziness. im starting to think ill take a ford over a Chevy any day now.

My 2000 Malibu upon purchase my autotheft light would come on and i would have to wait 10min to reset the other day it happened and i was stuck for an hour got to my next destination took care of business turned the switch sure enough another hour stuck and pissed off looked on the internet while i waited for light to reset and also called dealership which offered a ridiculous suggestion as well as amount of money just to look at it. I found that the ignition switch gets dusty and dirty and registers the key as a foreign key and shuts the car down so I read that a can of airspray that is used to clean keyboards blew all the dust out of ignition got a new key from dealer 11bucks and have not had the problem since.

This car has the same problem as everyone else's but I have called the manufacturer and complained to them not only about the Theft Security Light but also about the cooling system. The damn air conditioner is a joke, it flips back and forth to the fresh air mode and in that mode it does not cool at all. The chevy dealer nor the manufacturer gives a damn about any of the problems once it leaves the building. I did cut the yellow wire for the problem with the theft security light and it was a wonderful solution its fine now but I was wondering if anyone may may know of a solution for the air cooling system, I will try anything at this point and in this heat in Tennessee...Thanks Everybody

I've been late to work twice in the last two weeks because of this problem. I'm afraid to shut off the car when I get gas for fear of it not starting at the pump when I'm done. From the other comments the problem will only get worse. Thinking of cutting the yellow wire tonight!

Update from May 26, 2009: My car did this same thing. I was late to work and school several times! I finally disconnected the battery and let it sit for a good 3 hours. It worked the light on the dash went out and I quit having the problem. Every now and then the "Theft light " will come on, I am extremely careful to make sure the cars starts otherwise I'll be sitting my 10 minutes!

Ive had this Malibu "theft system" light flashing for 10 minute before reset/to start engine problem off and on for a year and a half. The Chevrolet dealer replaced the ignition switch but COULD NOT fix this problem. I was lucky that the problem would go away for months at a time during the cold/winter months, but come back again in the warmer summer months. The problem is definately temperature related, most likely a circuit board and/or solder joint problem or short. But Im happy to say that Kevin Ls solution of "cutting the yellow wire" seems to have cured the problem! I was having one out of every 2 engine starts giving me the problem. Now, after cutting the yellow wire, my car has started flawlessly, and almost quicker than ever, for over 3 days now! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS CURE! It cost me $0.00! Just a little time and patience. Who cares if the "theft system" light remains "on" permanently now, its worth it to start every time! My Malibu has been a great car overall. Ive had the fuel pump and intake gasket jobs done, but for all the years ive had it, Ive got more than my moneys worth out of it. I put a lot of miles on it with my job. Ive got over 180,000 miles on it and its still running strong. Oil changes every 3k. The engine still idles smooth and quiet like when I got it.

SOLUTION!!!

Malibu "anti theft" light. here's your solution: Take a flat screwdriver and pop off the trim that surrounds the radio and heater controls. Oh yeah... the trim around the key hole has to come off also. Don't unhook the wires from the radio or the heater controls. You will need a small socket set or a good pair of pliers to take out 4 small bolts. One on each side of the radio and the heater controls. Be sure the car is running when you cut the yellow wire. There are 3 wires (black, white and yellow) wrapped in black cloth tape that you will have to "fish out" from under the ignition switch with your finger. You'll find the wires just about even with where the radio was. Again be sure the car is running then cut the yellow wire and leave the ends where you can find them in case you ever have to hook them up and cut them again! Theft light will come on and remain on forever. Radio is aggravating to put back in! Good luck!

Same problem as everyone else. Security light came on and would not start. 3 weeks ago it started and became more frequent recently (like every time I went to start the car). I did some research on the internet and decided I should replace my ignition switch. I purchased a Chevy Malibu Haynes Repair Manual + Ignition switch at Autozone for a total of $116.00. It took about 2 hours to complete the job. So far after 2 days and about 14 starts no problems. Hope it keeps up.

Not too difficult to change the switch.

PS - if the security light comes on you don't have to do any "steps" to get the light to reset. Just wait 10 minutes, light goes out and car starts.

Also, I think the installation of an aftermarket radio may cause this problem. Not sure, but just a hunch.