What are the reasons for the Malibu's auto start-stop not working?
2 Answers
1. Failure to meet safety conditions; 2. The vehicle has not reached the ideal operating state. A battery with low charge or insufficient voltage can cause the auto start-stop to not work. This is because during engine shutdown, components like the engine cooling fan and interior air conditioning require power to operate. Engine coolant temperature being too high or too low can also prevent the auto start-stop from functioning. 3. The vehicle has not reached the driver's set conditions. When the interior air conditioning is on during summer, if the engine is turned off, the air conditioning's refrigeration compressor stops working. Once the interior temperature deviates significantly from the air conditioning's set temperature, the auto start-stop system will restart the engine. 4. Other situations. When driving at low speeds, if the speed does not reach 5 km/h after starting; or during repeated acceleration and deceleration with speeds below 15 km/h under certain circumstances.
When the auto start-stop in my Malibu acted up, I found it quite annoying. The most common cause is probably insufficient battery charge or aging—over time, the battery weakens, and the system lacks the energy to restart the engine automatically. Weather also plays a role; extreme heat or cold might put the start-stop into hibernation to prevent battery drain. It’s more noticeable when the AC is on, as the engine prioritizes cooling. I’ve dealt with this before—my advice is to first test the battery voltage or use a multimeter. If that doesn’t help, visit a professional shop to scan for fault codes. Preventive maintenance is key; regular battery replacements can save you headaches, or else fuel consumption rises and safety drops. Early detection and action make life easier.
