Chevrolet: 1997 Malibu intermittent A/C problem, chevrolet malibu ls, chevrolet malibu

Question
Keith,

Our 1997 Chevrolet Malibu LS is experiencing an air conditioning problem.  The A/C controller switch on the dash is turning on and off as the car is driven.  The entire control panel was replaced under warranty in 2000 but the problem has returned and the car is no longer under warranty. I do not know if this is related, but when I parked the car last week, with engine running, white smoke came out of the vents and a burning smell was evident, I immediately turned off the A/C and had not used it until last night and had no problems with smoke or burning smells, just the A/C kicking on and off as I drove through the ninety degree heat.

My on-line searches have revealed that some Malibu owners have had similar problems, but I've never seen the cause or the fix.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  This may be just the nudge I needed to look at new cars.

Rob  

Answer
Hi Rob, you are right, the early malibu's had a problem with the a\c controls. I have worked at a dealer for a few years and replaced many control units. all we did was replace the unit and it always worked fine, so just replace the control unit and it will be fine for a while. I hope this helps you, if you need more info, just let me know. Regards, Keith.