2023 Chevrolet Malibu Owners Manual - Electrical System

Electrical System

High Voltage Devices and Wiring

Warning

Exposure to high voltage can cause shock, burns, and even death. The high voltage components in the vehicle can only be serviced by technicians with special training. High voltage components are identified by labels. Do not remove, open, take apart, or modify these components. High voltage cable or wiring has orange covering or labels. Do not probe, tamper with, cut, or modify high voltage cable or wiring.

Electrical System Overload

The vehicle has fuses and circuit breakers to protect against an electrical system overload. When the current electrical load is too heavy, the circuit breaker opens and closes, protecting the circuit until the current load returns to normal or the problem is fixed. This greatly reduces the chance of circuit overload and fire caused by electrical problems.

Fuses and circuit breakers protect power devices in the vehicle. If there is a problem on the road and a fuse needs to be replaced, the same amperage fuse can be borrowed. Choose some feature of the vehicle that is not needed to use and replace it as soon as possible. To check a fuse, look at the band inside the fuse. If the band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure to replace a bad fuse with a fuse of the identical size and rating.

Replacing a Blown Fuse

1. Turn off the vehicle.

2. Locate the fuse puller in the engine compartment fuse block.

3. Use the fuse puller to remove the fuse from the top or side, as shown above.

4. If the fuse must be replaced immediately, borrow a replacement fuse with the same amperage from the fuse block. Choose a vehicle feature that is not needed to safely operate the vehicle. Repeat Steps 2-3.

5. Insert the replacement fuse into the empty slot of the blown fuse.

At the next opportunity, see your dealer to replace the blown fuse.

Headlamp Wiring

An electrical overload may cause the lamps to go on and off, or in some cases to remain off. Have the headlamp wiring checked right away if the lamps go on and off or remain off.

Windshield Wipers

If the wiper motor overheats due to heavy snow or ice, the windshield wipers will stop until the motor cools and will then restart. Although the circuit is protected from electrical overload, overload due to heavy snow or ice may cause wiper linkage damage.

Always clear ice and heavy snow from the windshield before using the windshield wipers. If the overload is caused by an electrical problem and not snow or ice, be sure to get it fixed.

Fuses and Circuit Breakers

The wiring circuits in the vehicle are protected from short circuits by a combination of fuses and circuit breakers. This greatly reduces the chance of damage caused by electrical problems.

Danger

Fuses and circuit breakers are marked with their ampere rating. Do not exceed the specified amperage rating when replacing fuses and circuit breakers. Use of an oversized fuse or circuit breaker can result in a vehicle fire. You and others could be seriously injured or killed.

Warning

Installation or use of fuses that do not meet GM’s original fuse specifications is dangerous. The fuses could fail, and result in a fire. You or others could be injured or killed, and the vehicle could be damaged.

Engine Compartment Fuse Block

The engine compartment fuse block is on the driver side of the engine compartment.

There is a fuse puller in the engine compartment fuse block. It can be used to easily remove fuses from the fuse block.

Caution

Spilling liquid on any electrical component on the vehicle may damage it. Always keep the covers on any electrical component.

The vehicle may not be equipped with all of the fuses, relays, and features shown.

Instrument Panel Fuse Block

The instrument panel fuse block is on the driver side of the instrument panel. To access the fuses:

1. Pull out at the center of the right edge, and swing the cover out and to the left.

2. Remove the cover.

To reinstall the cover, line up the tabs on the left edge, and press the cover into place.

The vehicle may not be equipped with all of the fuses, relays, and features shown.