Search found 40 matches

by nugentc
Tue Aug 01, 2017 12:05 pm
Forum: Problems & Warranty Issues
Topic: passenger hood area very hot
Replies: 2
Views: 694

Re: passenger hood area very hot

Thanks for your reply! I will report back with what the shop says it is after tomorrow.
by nugentc
Tue Aug 01, 2017 5:28 am
Forum: Problems & Warranty Issues
Topic: passenger hood area very hot
Replies: 2
Views: 694

passenger hood area very hot

I'm writing about a 2008 Toyota Matrix. I've been noticing that the passenger side hood area is extremely hot. The engine temperature gauge on the dash is always right in the middle of Hot/Cold like everything is normal. I did notice that the coolant level is slightly below Full, but nothing major. ...
by nugentc
Thu Mar 09, 2017 5:20 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: AWD vs FWD and mpg
Replies: 1
Views: 1201

AWD vs FWD and mpg

Our 2nd Vibe has just been totaled and we're not ready to leave the VIbe family yet! I've never owned an AWD. Does it get worse gas mileage than the FWD typically?
by nugentc
Mon Feb 20, 2017 6:17 pm
Forum: Exterior
Topic: tail light?
Replies: 5
Views: 1439

Re: tail light?

Good points! Thanks, everyone!
by nugentc
Sun Feb 19, 2017 6:35 pm
Forum: Exterior
Topic: tail light?
Replies: 5
Views: 1439

Re: tail light?

Thank you, ColonelPanic!

Anybody ever been pulled over for a front fog light being out? I would need a whole new assembly here and am hoping to not spend money on that right now. But also, a new assembly is probably cheaper than a ticket, so I'm not sure which way to go.
by nugentc
Sun Feb 19, 2017 2:09 pm
Forum: Exterior
Topic: tail light?
Replies: 5
Views: 1439

tail light?

This is a very "dumb question," I admit. On the 2003 Vibe tail light assembly, what is the 3rd (bottom) red section for? Is it ever supposed to light up? The top red section is the brake light, and middle amber sections are the turn signals. This 3rd section doesn't seem to have a bulb in ...
by nugentc
Sun Oct 02, 2016 2:22 pm
Forum: Interior
Topic: rear doors will not open from the inside
Replies: 4
Views: 1924

Re: rear doors will not open from the inside

Just looping back to follow up in case it is helpful to someone else--the issue was the little switches noted by MacGyver! I can't believe I never noticed them before. Thanks so much!
by nugentc
Tue Sep 13, 2016 5:04 am
Forum: Interior
Topic: rear doors will not open from the inside
Replies: 4
Views: 1924

Re: rear doors will not open from the inside

Interesting, MacGyver! I'm not near the car now but will check this out later. There might be something to this because when the second one stopped working, I remember that the seat belt buckle had been sticking out into the latch area when we tried to close the door. I bet it knocked into the switc...
by nugentc
Mon Sep 12, 2016 2:53 pm
Forum: Interior
Topic: rear doors will not open from the inside
Replies: 4
Views: 1924

rear doors will not open from the inside

A while ago the right rear door started sticking so that it won't open from the inside at all. It does open from the outside. Then shortly after, it happened on the left side as well. So now neither door opens from the inside back seat. I replaced the outside handle on the right rear about a year an...
by nugentc
Mon Apr 20, 2015 3:03 pm
Forum: Engine & Transmission
Topic: belt tensioner piston?
Replies: 8
Views: 1883

Re: belt tensioner piston?

Thanks, everyone!
by nugentc
Sun Apr 19, 2015 6:38 am
Forum: Engine & Transmission
Topic: belt tensioner piston?
Replies: 8
Views: 1883

Re: belt tensioner piston?

Yeah, the shop says it's a lot of labor. Sounds like something I don't want to tackle myself.
Thanks for the replies!
by nugentc
Sat Apr 18, 2015 6:24 pm
Forum: Engine & Transmission
Topic: belt tensioner piston?
Replies: 8
Views: 1883

belt tensioner piston?

I have a growling/rattling noise in an '03 Vibe and was told today it is the belt tensioner and it'll cost $457 to be fixed. I've been doing a little research on the boards and seeing that sometimes it's just a piston in the tensioner? Or a pulley? I'm unclear about this. In either case, it seems th...
by nugentc
Sat Jul 05, 2014 4:25 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: 2006 reliability vs other years?
Replies: 33
Views: 7112

Re: 2006 reliability vs other years?

Thanks, ColonelPanic! I didn't know that about the dome light control--very helpful!
by nugentc
Fri Jul 04, 2014 10:24 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: GPS mount
Replies: 2
Views: 746

GPS mount

I've done a little searching on this forum and saw what a couple of people had done to mount a GPS, but I'm curious to know if there are other solutions. Our suction cup mount broke, and we sometimes go to NJ where I believe window mounts aren't allowed, although I could be wrong on that. I liked th...
by nugentc
Fri Jul 04, 2014 10:17 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: 2006 reliability vs other years?
Replies: 33
Views: 7112

Re: 2006 reliability vs other years?

Thanks for the advice, everyone! We went with the low mileage '03. Thanks to this forum, I found great info on turning the gear around in the actuator through the glove box and also on soldering replacement bulbs into the control board in the stereo for the LCD clock/display. This is a great bunch o...
by nugentc
Wed Jun 25, 2014 4:04 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: 2006 reliability vs other years?
Replies: 33
Views: 7112

Re: 2006 reliability vs other years?

The 03 has complete maintenance records. I don't think the dealer has any on the 06 but there may be some on Carfax.
by nugentc
Wed Jun 25, 2014 1:32 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: 2006 reliability vs other years?
Replies: 33
Views: 7112

Re: 2006 reliability vs other years?

Here's a question related to my original post, so I'll keep with the same thread. Which would you choose: - an 06 for $5,500 somewhat negotiable from a dealer, has a one-owner history with 151,000 miles (no warranty above 150K miles) - an 03 for $5,500 with not much wiggle room at all from a private...
by nugentc
Mon Jun 23, 2014 2:47 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: 2006 reliability vs other years?
Replies: 33
Views: 7112

Re: 2006 reliability vs other years?

Thanks for the help. The leather was different colors in different sections (navy blue and an off-white or tan) and it had a Vibe logo on it. I'm not sure it was real leather. Another factor that might have added to the discomfort is that they were heated seats. I'm not sure how those work, but it w...
by nugentc
Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:45 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: 2006 reliability vs other years?
Replies: 33
Views: 7112

Re: 2006 reliability vs other years?

Thanks again for all of the helpful replies! I have another question about possible 03-04 vs 05-08 differences. We sat in a 2003 Vibe today with leather seats. I found them to be really uncomfortable compared to our old 06 Vibe with cloth seats. They felt really hard overall and the seams seemed to ...
by nugentc
Fri Jun 20, 2014 3:30 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: 2006 reliability vs other years?
Replies: 33
Views: 7112

Re: 2006 reliability vs other years?

One more question about features: Are anti-lock brakes standard or optional on the Vibes of 03/04 and 05/08 years?
Thanks again!
by nugentc
Fri Jun 20, 2014 11:36 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: 2006 reliability vs other years?
Replies: 33
Views: 7112

Re: 2006 reliability vs other years?

Thanks for all of the helpful replies, everyone!
by nugentc
Fri Jun 20, 2014 3:52 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: 2006 reliability vs other years?
Replies: 33
Views: 7112

2006 reliability vs other years?

Our 2006 Vibe was recently totaled and we are shopping for another. Consumer Reports says 2006 has better reliability than other years. Does anyone know what this is based on? Just more generally, are there particular years that are better than others? I have seen the long post comparing all of feat...
by nugentc
Tue Nov 05, 2013 5:40 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: short in o2 sensor signal circuit - p0138
Replies: 11
Views: 5174

Re: short in o2 sensor signal circuit - p0138

I just wanted to post an update and some follow-up for anyone else struggling with the same issue. I checked the evaporator drain tube and it's actually not located anywhere near the o2 sensor connector in my Vibe. I might have read somewhere else that the TSB related to that is for AWD. I also chec...
by nugentc
Fri Nov 01, 2013 11:04 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: short in o2 sensor signal circuit - p0138
Replies: 11
Views: 5174

Re: short in o2 sensor signal circuit - p0138

Thanks, kumquat. When I changed the rear 02 sensor, I didn't notice any moisture or corrosion around the connector, but I will check again. Okay, so when I go back to have the voltage read, what will I learn in the two scenarios? I'm pretty sure the car was running when I got the numbers I posted ab...
by nugentc
Fri Nov 01, 2013 10:29 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: short in o2 sensor signal circuit - p0138
Replies: 11
Views: 5174

Re: short in o2 sensor signal circuit - p0138

I just found this and thought since at one time I had p0138 and p2195 together, it might apply: http://ww.w.autoelectricpro.com/purchased/images/110000/109156.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; When you scroll down in the document it says, "If both DTC P0138 and P2195 ...
by nugentc
Fri Nov 01, 2013 9:15 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: short in o2 sensor signal circuit - p0138
Replies: 11
Views: 5174

Re: short in o2 sensor signal circuit - p0138

M1MECHANIC, I tried your strategy of clearing the code and reattaching the battery terminal with more resistance. The CEL came back on this morning after driving a while. This weekend I can go back to Autozone and see if the guy will read the voltage again with engine cold and engine running. Otherw...
by nugentc
Thu Oct 31, 2013 12:07 pm
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: short in o2 sensor signal circuit - p0138
Replies: 11
Views: 5174

Re: short in o2 sensor signal circuit - p0138

I thought he turned the engine on after he plugged in the code reader, but I could be wrong. I'd have to go back again tonight and have him read it again both ways. Sure wish I had my multimeter.
by nugentc
Thu Oct 31, 2013 11:50 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: short in o2 sensor signal circuit - p0138
Replies: 11
Views: 5174

Re: short in o2 sensor signal circuit - p0138

M1MECHANIC, this is interesting. Yes, I disconnected the battery terminal to reset the code. It was loose and I did notice some arcing. I'll try it again with it not so loose. kumquat, I'm without my multimeter, but the people at Autozone supposedly read the voltage from the code reader itself. Here...
by nugentc
Wed Oct 30, 2013 6:57 pm
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: short in o2 sensor signal circuit - p0138
Replies: 11
Views: 5174

short in o2 sensor signal circuit - p0138

I didn't know whether to post this here because it was electrical or to Maintenance Bay. I have a 2006 Pontiac Vibe with 132,000 miles. I recently got CEL codes p0136 and p0138 so I changed the rear oxygen sensor. CEL was still on afterward and I didn't know I needed to manually clear the codes, so ...
by nugentc
Thu Feb 14, 2013 11:56 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: infant car seats
Replies: 8
Views: 3368

Re: infant car seats

Thanks for all of the good information, everyone!
by nugentc
Thu Feb 07, 2013 8:25 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: infant car seats
Replies: 8
Views: 3368

infant car seats

I've searched past threads on here but didn't quite get the information I need. I have an '06 Vibe and now have a new baby. We've just started out with a Chicco infant carrier and base and it fits okay but barely. It is wide enough that even when installed in the middle of the back seat, it still fo...
by nugentc
Sat Oct 08, 2011 7:05 am
Forum: Exterior
Topic: Side mirror plastic housing loose
Replies: 1
Views: 621

Side mirror plastic housing loose

Hi. The plastic housing for the passenger side mirror is loose. I took the interior plastic triangle off and checked the three bolts holding the mirror on and they are all secure. I tried pushing on the housing in a few places to see if it would pop back into place, but haven't had any luck yet. Any...
by nugentc
Sun Jan 30, 2011 10:15 am
Forum: Problems & Warranty Issues
Topic: Noise when slowing down from high speeds
Replies: 5
Views: 1503

Re: Noise when slowing down from high speeds (A Psycho Martyr)

So other people get this also? But I have not always had this sound. I've had the car for over three years and have only noticed it over the last few weeks. This is why I worry that something might be wrong. My dad though possibly a wheel bearing?
by nugentc
Sun Jan 30, 2011 1:07 am
Forum: Problems & Warranty Issues
Topic: Noise when slowing down from high speeds
Replies: 5
Views: 1503

Noise when slowing down from high speeds

Only when I slow down quickl from high speeds (like exiting the interstate in a short exit ramp), I hear a sound that is difficult to describe. It's kind of a low, deep, whirring sound from the front end. I don't hear it in normal stop-and-go traffic on city/residential roads. Any ideas? I can ask a...
by nugentc
Sat Oct 30, 2010 11:18 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Transporting Large Dog
Replies: 13
Views: 7169

Re: (HawaiiPontiacLover)

Great thread here. I love the seat hammock thing for $80, Dave. We have a large breed (some type of mix from the pound) that is around 115 pounds. The metal crate we have came with a folding metal divider piece. We use that secured with some bungee cords as a barrier between the cargo area and the b...
by nugentc
Sat Oct 30, 2010 10:56 pm
Forum: Engine & Transmission
Topic: Automatic transmission fluid change
Replies: 42
Views: 36974

Re: (tribalman)

Thanks, everyone. Great photo, star_deceiver. Besides my initial mishap with the overflow mess, it went great (I think). And I met lots of neighbors in the process of looking for a metric socket set! Thanks again--great forum!
by nugentc
Sat Oct 30, 2010 7:36 am
Forum: Engine & Transmission
Topic: Automatic transmission fluid change
Replies: 42
Views: 36974

Re: (cptnsolo77)

Okay, I'm attempting to do this. I got the plug pulled and the fluid drained (containers I had weren't big enough so I've got a mess to clean up!). But I really can't fit under there to loosen all of those bolts to drop the pan. Is there a trick to this (body position, angle) that I'm missing? I hav...
by nugentc
Sun Oct 24, 2010 12:19 pm
Forum: Engine & Transmission
Topic: Automatic transmission fluid change
Replies: 42
Views: 36974

Re: (djkeev)

Thanks, everyone! I think I'm convinced I can/should do the job and think I now know just about everything I'd need to know to do it! I appreciate all of the great info here--the thread on changing a headlight bulb was really helpful also.
by nugentc
Sat Oct 23, 2010 11:03 pm
Forum: Engine & Transmission
Topic: Automatic transmission fluid change
Replies: 42
Views: 36974

Re: (djkeev)

Dave,Many thanks for the super helpful and thorough reply!!! The car is a 2006 and has just over 70,000 miles.I have started doing a bit of maintenance myself (changed brake pads last spring and will do headlight bulb today) and am pretty handy, so I thought of tackling this also. However, I don't h...
by nugentc
Sat Oct 23, 2010 12:55 am
Forum: Engine & Transmission
Topic: Automatic transmission fluid change
Replies: 42
Views: 36974

Re: (lovemyraffe)

I'm reviving this old thread... I was reading in the owner's manual that unless you drive under certain types of conditions I should not need to change the transmission fluid at all in my Vibe. Is this true? If so, why do I hear so much about people changing it then? I did check the color of it usin...