From: EBSCO Auto Repair Reference Center Check fuel level in fuel tank, add fuel if empty. Check battery condition and state of charge. If voltage and load test below specification, charge or replace battery. Check battery terminal and cable condition and tightness. Clean terminals and replace damaged, worn or corroded cables. Check fuel delivery system. If fuel is not reaching the fuel injectors, check for a loose electrical connector or defective fuse, relay or fuel pump and replace as necessary. Engine may have excessive wear or mechanical damage such as low cylinder cranking pressure, a broken camshaft drive system, insufficient valve clearance or bent valves. Check for fuel contamination such as water in the fuel. During winter months, the water may freeze and cause a fuel restriction. Adding a fuel additive may help, however the fuel system may require draining and purging with fresh fuel. Check for ignition system failure. Check for loose or shorted wires or damaged ignition system components. Check the spark plugs for excessive wear or incorrect electrode gap. If the problem is worse in wet weather, check for shorts between the spark plugs and the ignition coils. Check the engine management system for a failed sensor or control module. EBSCO Auto Repair Reference Center

Aaah! I've been there, done that many times over at great expense. FINALLY, I learned that the 2002 Malibu has a tricky problem with it's Anti-Theft System. It costs about $200 to fix which I've opted not to do because there's a trick to fixing it on the spot. THE ANSWER: For some unknown reason, periodically the 2002 Malibu thinks it's being broken into basically. The Anti-Theft system responds by shutting down fuel to the fuel injector. THE CAR WON'T START!! Nothing you do will get it to go unless you know this pesky but SIMPLE FIX: You TURN YOUR IGNITION ON and then WAIT 10 FULL MINUTES until the THEFT LIGHT (which blinks during this time) GOES OFF. Then you SWITCH THE IGNITION OFF, WAIT 1 FULL MINUTES, and then START YOUR ENGINE. It will start right up. This little trick is actually hidden within your Malibu's instruction manual, but I spent over 2 hours trying to find it. Hope this trick works for you. (Incidentally, after I had my blower fan replaced, for some reason the theft system stopped giving me problems. I haven't a clue if it was related or not. Also, at one time in frustration, I went around the car opening and slamming shut every door and even the trunk [and I do mean hard]. It was over 100 out and I was furious that I had to sit there baking for 10 minutes in the sun. Anyway, I THINK all that slamming MAY have done something because afterwards, the problem calmed down too.) QQ

I've got a Fix! I had the same problem with my Chevy Malibu 2005 ("Classic"). It started one day when I looked down and seen my "Anti-Theft system" light on. I couldn't figure out why it just popped on for no reason. Later on that day I tried to start up my car and it wouldn't start. Over the next couple of days this became an inconvenience, and started to make me late for work and other events. So, I got smart and decided to first stick the key in, wait about 3 to 5 seconds, and Bam! it works like a charm! I realized that for some reason the car wasn't reading the key right, and that by sticking the key in for a few seconds gives it time to register. It's been about 5 months since that last incident and no problem since.

My daughter's 2002 Malibu would crank, but not start. It ran fine up to that point. Tried changing the fuel pump relay, no luck. Checked for spark, it had it. Checked for fuel pressue in the fuel rails, it was there. I was getting ready to change the fuel pressure regulator when I went on line first. YEP, the Theftlock was blinking, YEP key to ACC for 5-10 minutes. YEP, started right up. Next stop, return fuel pressure regulator. THANK YOU.

My 2004 malibu has been giving me slight issues over the past year or so but usually fixed itself quickly. Until tonight! No matter what we did it just would not start! So..Had her Towed home and still no luck~. Completely frustrated I just tried to figure out what to do for hours. I thought maybe something had finally broke for good cause my malibu is about to hit 165 thousand miles. After praying and thinking, a thought to check online popped in my head. after a few minutes I happened along this page. I read what you wrote, and instantly darted outside ( mind you it was almost 3 am lol) tried once more to start her and nothing. so I did what you said, after about 9 minutes the anti theft light stopped flashing. I became very hopeful and those last moments were hard not to give her a try, but I waited. Battery was almost dead, and I turned the key off, counted to 120 (incase I counted to fast) then turned the key and it tried to start! I got it started like 4 times and it kept shutting off but after the 4th try it stayed on and I turned it off twice more and she fired right up! The Tow costed me 60 bucks, we was like 5 miles from home. But other then that you have saved me a fortune in my stupidity. I could see it now.. we dont know, it might be this or that..But Now thanks to you, its just fine. Thank you sooooooo much for posting this! If it had your addy I would send you a gift lol, thats how much I appreciate your posting here. You Rock!! and yep I am still pretty happy. Thank you, Thank you!!

God must have been watching out for me. I came on the internet looking for the location of the fuel filter on my Dad's 2003 Mailbu. I just happened to see this site, went out to check and his theft light was blinking. Followed the instructions, key on for ten minutes, off for one, and viola she started right up. Thank you for the taking the time to share your experience. You are a life saver.

Mafaria took my answer and gives the correct fix, but there is one more situation to watch for. I have a Malibu and suffered the same problem. In my case I called the dealer and they wanted to tow me in for repairs. Instead, I called a 1-800-chevy number on a sticker inside my door. The call taker told me that my system automatically shut down to force me into the dealier for a 60,000 mile checkup. She gave me the exact instructions as you cite above (except she told me to leave it for 3 minutes and do not take the key out, just turn it back off for a minute and then on again) and it worked. No problem since, although I will be watching for 80,000 and 100,000 just to make sure! +5 on the question, and +6 to Mafaria. What a great contribution and Welcome to Answerbag, Mafaria :-)