electrical problem
7.6
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$687.00
Average Mileage:
88,747 miles
Number of complaints:
9 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (8 reports)
- firestone changed the "pulley system" and "ignition hatch" (1 reports)
Helpful Websites About 2003 Chevrolet Impala difficulty starting
2008Nov 08
Impala 3.4L
- Automatic transmission
- 95,000 miles
For my fellow Chevrolet Impala owners: You may run into a problem like myself while servicing the thermostat. In order to do so, sensors must be unplugged, air cleaning tube removed, radiator drained, and battery disconnected. After reconnecting everything, the car would not start, security was written across the message board and the interior lights were not on. After reading from someone else's problem and their suggestion of oxidation build-up on connectors, I realized that I needed to purchase CRC electrical cleaner and clean all plugs with spray to insure proper conductivity. I first disconnected the battery (positive terminal first), disconnected all sensor plugs I worked around, removed the fuse box cover on the passenger fire wall, pulled the ignition fuses, and cleaned the connections at the starter. I found that whatever I did corrected all the above mentioned problems without the expense of taking the car to the dealer. When first talking to the dealership, the impression which I received was negative and it left me furious to say the least. The overall electrical components on cars these days present a huge challenge and I can safely say that checking and cleaning connections ( remember to have the battery disconnected) is probably one of the first things to do. Once the dealership sell us the car, they only want our money rather than establish good will. Makes sense, that is why people don't trust persons at the car dealerships. Hopefully the above information was helpful to someone. God Bless you and your families.
2008Sep 01
Impala LS 3.8L 3800
- Automatic transmission
- 64,000 miles
Don't know what to do to fix problem! Car will only start when it wants to, acts as though the battery is dead but it is not. Jumpstart car and it may run with no problems for 3 or 4 days but it also might not start 30 minutes after you jump it. This really sux because it has been on a diagnostics machine with no notable problems, no one seems to know exactly what to do to fix it. Don't want to spend money on things that might not fix the problem!!! This seems to be a widespread problem and GM needs to make this a recall instead of screwing people over for easy money on a problems that would not be happening if they would have had decent engineering and design. If they can't sell cars due to the economy they should at least make sure the fewer cars they are building are worth a sh*t!!!!!!!
2008Jul 16
Impala Security Light
- Automatic transmission
- 81,255 miles
What's wrong with this Chevy? I was stuck in the hot sun for 45mins. because my car wouldn't start. My husband has to come out three times from his job to come and get me. We need to be compensated for lost wages and inconvenience. I thought it was my battery or alternator. Wrong, they are fine. I've had a diagnostic test. Nothing shows up on the test. My security light comes on while driving and if I stop somewhere and turn it off, I'm stuck for 45+mins. It's embarrassing and frustrating. Someone needs to give us some answers.
2008Aug 28
Impala LX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 80,000 miles
The Chevrolet Company need to recall and fix the obvious problem. There are so many complaint from owners with the same problem. Maybe it's time for a lawsuit, then maybe then they will take us all seriously!!!!!!!
2008Aug 24
Impala 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 149,129 miles
Started to have intermittent no start condition. Then would not start period. Towed to dealer. Recommended replacing what he called the ECM. Agreed to let him do it. Car worked fine for the first few days. Now back to intermittent no start condition.
Odd thing is that when this happens the gear shift (floor mounted) won't select a gear. In other words the green square that shows up over the selector gear is none existence. Also you can move through the gears and attempt to start the car in any gear without touching the brake.
Could this be an ignition interlock problem?
Frustrating as hell!!!!
2008Apr 05
Impala V6
- Automatic transmission
- 58,796 miles
We bought this car for our 20 year old college student, replacing a horrific 2000 Honda coupe. The first week we had it, battery died and dealer replaced battery. We thought little of this problem as cars often sit on a lot while waiting to sell. Two months later, we are faced with the same problem. Car will not start but if we jiggle steering column we get headlights, sometimes radio. We believe it might be a short circuit in steering column.
2007Dec 19
Impala LS V6
- Automatic transmission
- 75,540 miles
After picking up my daughter at her basketball banquet, I get in my car and go to turn the car on with no luck. The key would not turn. I made sure that the car was in Park, I locked and unlocked the car, I jerked the wheel back and forth and still nothing. My brother-in-law got under the dash to see if there was a bypass switch and nothing. We tried for over 2 hours. I finally just had the car towed back to my house. It really has been a good car until now. The only issues were a dead battery a couple years ago and had to replace the tires a little more than a year ago and they seem to need new ones again. Other than that, I have always considered myself lucky that I didn't get a lemon, until now. I don't have the money to throw away, so if anyone has any suggestions, please share.
2007Aug 17
(reported on)Impala
- Automatic transmission
- 90,000 miles
95% of the time I try to start my engine it won't turn on the first attempt. However if I move the key to the ACC position and wait for about 10 seconds, the engine will turn over about 90% of the time. I talked to some friends who know more about cars than I do, and they think that the problem lies with the fuel injection system not building enough pressure to introduce fuel at a rate needed for engine start. When I go to the ACC position however, the pumps are given enough electricity to do the job. I still have to save some money to get the car looked at.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Oct 21
Impala LS 3.8L V6
I love my Chevy, Im 22, and it's what I grew up on, Chevy and cadie's. It hurt's a lot to say because I can't stand any Japanese car put in front of me, or any foreign car for that matter, and I can't speak for everyone out there but 2 of the main reason's these foreign car's have been taking over the market is all due to the dependability and of course the MPG of the car's being built. Since I bought my Chevy impala ls 2 years ago, ive had multiple problems, and I would understand these problems if I were an owner that didn't pay any maintenance attention to his car, but fact is that I do pay attention to it. Im ok with having a problem here and there, but when you have had a car leave you stranded on the way back from a date, or in the morning when you wake up to go to work and end up losing money, and days at work, then that just makes me wanna junk the car.The 2 main issues I have had have been a crack in the radiator, then the heating/cooling system, messed up water pump because of that, and most recently, a pulley system problem, and an ignition hatch, as Firestone described it to me. started when i couldn't turn the car on, I knew it wasn't the starter cause you could hear it, it just wouldn't spark up, I took out the battery when to auto zone, and sure enough I had a bad battery, I was happy it wasn't anything major, yea rite, I put in the new battery, it started for about 30 seconds, and then it wouldn't start again. Up to recently that's the last problem I had, just a couple of days ago, doing 60-70 on the highway the "check engine" light starts blinking at me, it turns off when i lower my speed but as soon as i hit that 60-70 mark it turns rite back on... I am still looking for a reason why not to leave the bowtie family and get a Honda or a toyota which ive heard and read, that they have far less problems.
chevytypeofguy
Hialeah, FL, USA
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