Six problems related to alternator/generator/regulator have been reported for the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I was driving my car on the byway and took the interstate merge lane while increasing my speed to merge into traffic I felt a snap in my steering wheel and gas pedal, I then lost the dash and the car immediately overheated, I had no real power to turn the wheel and the gas pedal was a loose push. Being that I had merged onto the interstate when this occurred I had to drive an additional 5 miles to the next exit. Not everyone has a cell phone. When I got to the next exit I was almost unable to turn the wheel enough to get it into the nearest parking lot, it was harder to turn than my first truck a 1959 Ford twin I beam pickup. I fortunately didn't hit any one or anything. Upon raising my hood after parking the car I am appalled to see that the tensioner pulley and one of the idler pulleys are gone and my serpentine belt is shredded. I have replaced the parts but since then I also found that within 5 miles the "dreaded" gaskets that so many people have complained about, and mine we already eating fluids in sipps before this, were gone. I have replaced the broken pulleys serpentine belt alternator waterpump and gaskets not a month later the other idler pulley that was unaffected in the first incident went. When the first two were replaced that dreaded squeaking stopped for about 3 days and started back up again. Something must not be straight for me to have to keep replacing the moving parts that run on the serpentine belt and everytime one of them goes you loose your power steering and the car is hard to turn. Not only that but the tail lights would be a better place for a gold fish than a light bulb. Everytime it rains, or snows I have to replace tail lights. This car is the bane of my existence. I have the first idler pulley part still the rest of them were lost to the highway the thing is melted.
Alternator belt broke, car over heated and anti freeze boiled over.
Loud squeaking noise coming from the idle pulley. Had that part replaced with new part. By the time I got home noise was back. Brought car back to mechanic this morning. He is checking to see if new part was defected or if belt needs replacement. I am very disappointed with the Malibu's performance. In the 3 years that I have the car, I have replaced front and back brakes, alternator, battery, etc. Etc. And now the idle pulley (hopefully nothing else major).
Power steering seemed rough brought car to dealer and they replaced box $689. 00, I brought car in for oil change dealer said it needed rack and pinion and new lower control arms $2000. 00 approx. I was driving and battery light went on brought to a shop open at night needed a new alternator and battery. I contacted gm and they said they had no complaints on any of the following. I guess they lied with all the information I have found.
Brake lights went out at unknown time to driver resulting in rear end collison by another automobile. Instrument panel went black and emitted a black smoke resulting in unoperative use of any fan/heat/defrost. . Main instrument of power windows on driver side operated enough to roll down windows but not roll up drivers side resulting in ice/snow/rain buildup. Alternator went out 4 times resulting in power failure on highway resulting in crash into guard rail. Please provide us with any information to protect our family and prevent any future accidents. . Thank you very much. Nlm.
No summary listed for abov evehicle.