# 2012 Malibu, intermittent crank but no start **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [January 16, 2026, 4:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-malibu-intermittent-crank-but-no-start/204848 "2026-01-16T04:08:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bullfinch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/43a26b/32.png) [@Bullfinch](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bullfinch)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2026, 4:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-malibu-intermittent-crank-but-no-start/204848/1 "2026-01-16T04:08:11Z")
2012 Malibu, 140k. Started about 1-2 months ago. It cranks but doesn’t start. The lights, radio, etc, come on just fine. I replaced the battery first off. The parts shop said the battery was borderline, it was due, so I replaced it. Still having it. Sometimes it starts and runs fine. Sometimes it cranks but doesn’t start. Sometimes it starts for a second but then dies. Sometimes it starts and rumbles and shakes like crazy, and then dies. I’ve had the fuel pump relay changed twice. My shop is saying the fuel pump is testing ok. Earlier tonight, when it was cranking but not starting, I took out the fuel pump relay, did nothing to it, and put it back in 5 seconds later. It started right up. Any ideas? EDIT: It has cranked but not started for the shop too. That’s when the changed the fuel pump relay EDIT 2: Took it to an electrical shop. They found a burnt out wire leading to the fuel pump relay. Changed it out. Working so far. Fingers crossed ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2026, 4:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-malibu-intermittent-crank-but-no-start/204848/2 "2026-01-16T04:19:21Z")
A failing crankshaft position sensor can cause the problem you describe. > **[Bad Crankshaft Position Sensor Symptoms & Problems](https://www.1aauto.com/content/articles/bad-or-failing-crankshaft-position-sensor-symptoms)** > > Problems with the crankshaft sensor will often present as problems with engine timing. If you think your sensor has failed, here are some common symptoms of a bad crankshaft sensor that can help you in determining whether or not it has failed. Tester ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2026, 1:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-malibu-intermittent-crank-but-no-start/204848/3 "2026-01-16T13:59:29Z")
+1 for possible Crankshaft Position Sensor… Sounds like it be time to find another shop, depending on if it is not starting for the shop or not… Or invest in a scanner that has Live Data to check it yourself… Remember though, if your shop is testing it while the vehicle is starting, it will most likely test good, it has to be cranking and not starting to find a crank, no start problem… So you might have to leave it for a while depending on how often it no starts… ---
**Author:** ![Bullfinch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/43a26b/32.png) [@Bullfinch](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bullfinch)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2026, 11:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-malibu-intermittent-crank-but-no-start/204848/4 "2026-01-16T23:47:39Z")
I’ve never had a warning light with it. With no light, would anything show up on a scanner? ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2026, 11:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-malibu-intermittent-crank-but-no-start/204848/6 "2026-01-16T23:54:59Z")
> [@Bullfinch](#): > > I’ve never had a warning light with it. With no light, would anything show up on a scanner? You would be checking Live Data, not checking the codes… Live data on a scanner shows your vehicle’s real-time sensor readings and system statuses (like RPM, speed, temps, O2 sensor voltage) as it runs… [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/4/f/4f4e50ec4a23749b049dd2ad33859d11f9329a1f.jpeg "Reading OBD2 Live Data") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PavAKG2njiQ) Disclaimer, I only watched a few seconds of the video, but it shows Live Data anyway… ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 12:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-malibu-intermittent-crank-but-no-start/204848/7 "2026-01-17T00:10:49Z")
Not that this makes a difference, but is your’s a push-button start Malibu? ---
**Author:** ![Bullfinch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/43a26b/32.png) [@Bullfinch](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bullfinch)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 12:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-malibu-intermittent-crank-but-no-start/204848/8 "2026-01-17T00:12:35Z")
It’s keyed. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 12:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-malibu-intermittent-crank-but-no-start/204848/9 "2026-01-17T00:15:26Z")
> [@Bullfinch](#): > > It’s keyed. One more item ruled at least. Yeah, I prefer good old-fashion stick-a-key-in-the-ignition cars. (waiting for all the obnoxious “Of course YOU would!” static to begin) ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 1:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-malibu-intermittent-crank-but-no-start/204848/10 "2026-01-17T01:21:56Z")
This may not be your problem, but I will leave this TSB it might help someone in the future. It says if one or more of the symptoms listed is something that you may be having It may be caused by the body harness making hard contact against the floor panel’s edge under the left rear seat cushion. [15-08-45-001 1..2](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2015/SB-10059101-6201.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 3:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-malibu-intermittent-crank-but-no-start/204848/11 "2026-01-17T03:12:36Z")
Sure, crank sensor which is cheap. I changed mine just preemptively. About $50 total. But I’m a fuel pump guy with Gm. Sure it tests fine when it runs but what about when it’s not starting. I’ve had them go out on almost an annual basis. A5 th3 gas station wouldn’t stsrt, put the pressure guage on it and zip. Banged on the tank with a 5 lb hammer, and started. Towed from the ramp and started when it hit the shop. Have had bad contacts at the pump and three new ones fail out if th3 box. I don’t trust them at all. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 3:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-malibu-intermittent-crank-but-no-start/204848/12 "2026-01-17T03:28:51Z")
> [@bing](#): > > Banged on the tank with a 5 lb hammer, and started. You must be related to Han Solo 😂 How’d he get the Falcon started in a jam! ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 2:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-malibu-intermittent-crank-but-no-start/204848/13 "2026-01-17T14:12:10Z")
Delphi is the Only Fuel Pump assembly I will put in a GM vehicle, the rest are junk, don’t remember ever having a bad out of the box or having to warranty a Delphi fuel pump assembly… Can’t say the same for the others, AutoZone’s and Airtex were the worse… > [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](#): > > > [@bing](#): > > > > Banged on the tank with a 5 lb hammer, and started. > > You must be related to Han Solo 😂 > > How’d he get the Falcon started in a jam! It is an old trick to get the brushes or whatever to vibrated enough to work again for a time, same as hitting a starter to get it spin enough again to start the vehicle… Hitting something can sometimes jar whatever just enough to make electrical contact to work again for the time being, often doesn’t last long…