Search found 621 matches

by jimincalif
Sun May 26, 2013 6:20 pm
Forum: Problems & Warranty Issues
Topic: Brakes dragging badly after new rotors/pads
Replies: 2
Views: 767

Brakes dragging badly after new rotors/pads

My son is visiting this weekend and he took the opportunity to use my garage and change his front rotors and back pads on his 2003 GT. Everything seemed to go fine swapping parts, except that now the brakes are dragging badly, front is worse than the back, the wheels can be turned with lots of effor...
by jimincalif
Sat Feb 09, 2013 2:47 pm
Forum: Problems & Warranty Issues
Topic: 03 Vibe GT - Where is my coolant going?
Replies: 8
Views: 1396

Re: 03 Vibe GT - Where is my coolant going?

I'm not enough of a mechanic to describe the head gasket job, but I can tell you to stop driving it until it is repaired. Coolant in the oil means the oil can't do its job to lubricate your engine's bearing surfaces. Keep driving you'll be looking at a full rebuild.
by jimincalif
Sat Dec 22, 2012 10:38 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: My 5 minutes of fame
Replies: 6
Views: 2408

Re: My 5 minutes of fame

Congratulations, well done, and well said! I've managed to get published twice in the WSJ over the years.

I still have that day's paper, if you'd like me to snailmail you that page, pm me.
by jimincalif
Mon Oct 08, 2012 9:27 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: The Official "Price You Paid For Gas" Thread
Replies: 1661
Views: 1532028

Re: The Official "Price You Paid For Gas" Thread

$4.77/gal in SoCal. :shock:
by jimincalif
Tue Jul 10, 2012 4:52 pm
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: OEM cruise control cutting out
Replies: 5
Views: 1173

Re: OEM cruise control cutting out

I agree, check the brake light circuitry. The CC has a connection to the brake light circuit so it will disengage when brakes come on. The brake light switch can be bad (happened to me on my Lexus) or need adjusting or a loose connection somewhere.
by jimincalif
Tue Jun 19, 2012 7:03 pm
Forum: The Others
Topic: Mechanical Issue Question - 1999 DodgeCaravan 3.0L AT
Replies: 14
Views: 2398

Re: Mechanical Issue Question - 1999 DodgeCaravan 3.0L AT

I don't know myself, but it seems to me you make the right decision to tow it, I would have done the same. "Transmission" + "awful" usually means "expensive". Glad to hear it's a reasonable fix.
by jimincalif
Wed Jun 06, 2012 6:41 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Perfect driving record?
Replies: 18
Views: 3786

Re: Perfect driving record?

One ticket in 1975 when I was 17. I had my license about 6 months, driving 70 mph on I-10 in the desert trying to get to my grandfather's funeral on time. This was right after the Arab oil embargo and Congress' ill-advised national 55 mph speed limit response to supposedly save gas. Prior to the dou...
by jimincalif
Thu May 31, 2012 6:42 pm
Forum: Engine & Transmission
Topic: Replace PCM or trade it in?
Replies: 43
Views: 14199

Re: Replace PCM or trade it in?

Last week I was having a sandwich at my local Quiznos, at the next table were three service techs from one of the local car dealers. They were quite animated in telling each other stories about various screw ups and the lies they told to the customers. Pretty much confirmed everything I've come to e...
by jimincalif
Tue May 22, 2012 6:55 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: HSBC sells GM Card accounts to Capital One
Replies: 6
Views: 2382

Re: HSBC sells GM Card accounts to Capital One

Once we bought the Vibes and GM became Government Motors, we pretty much gave up on the GM card, don't see needing it as we're unlikely to purchase new and even more unlikely to purchase new GM. Gave up on the airline miles cards and all that other nonsense, too hard to use. Now we use a Capital One...
by jimincalif
Thu May 17, 2012 8:49 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: what did you pay for your vibe?
Replies: 90
Views: 13801

Re: what did you pay for your vibe?

Jimincalif - I think you are the "new Vibe purchase" low price winner - though I suspect I am the runner up on my '03 and '09. [You did have an advantage of late in the model year purchasing.] Got to love those income tax free GM Card points. Purchasing late in the model year works great ...
by jimincalif
Wed May 16, 2012 10:33 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: what did you pay for your vibe?
Replies: 90
Views: 13801

Re: what did you pay for your vibe?

Vibe #1 2003 GT bought new June 2003. sticker 21,000. Negotiated $2,500 off from dealer. Had $3,500 in GM card rebate points and GM was offering a $2,000 factory rebate. Net price before tax $13,000. Vibe #2, 2007 base w/auto. Bought new in Jan 2008. Negotiated $1,195 off from dealer, $3,000 GM card...
by jimincalif
Mon Apr 30, 2012 9:42 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: Wrong Way Driver Takes my Cousin
Replies: 16
Views: 4451

Re: Wrong Way Driver Takes my Cousin

Oh my. I am so sorry. My thoughts are prayers are with you and your family.
by jimincalif
Mon Apr 23, 2012 6:45 pm
Forum: Engine & Transmission
Topic: Replace PCM or trade it in?
Replies: 43
Views: 14199

Re: Replace PCM or trade it in?

Thanks for letting us know, glad it worked out.
by jimincalif
Mon Apr 02, 2012 1:54 pm
Forum: Engine & Transmission
Topic: Replace PCM or trade it in?
Replies: 43
Views: 14199

Almost certainly it is the sensor. That's what the codes are for, after all! Good news.I think your "main dealer" should be your "former dealer". Ask friends, family, coworker, you should be able to find a good independent shop that will save you money and keep your car running w...
by jimincalif
Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:05 pm
Forum: Engine & Transmission
Topic: Replace PCM or trade it in?
Replies: 43
Views: 14199

Good job and as trb says, you've got some info to go on now. I agree with him too about the limp home mode or just a dead car. Let us know what dealer #2 says. Good luck.
by jimincalif
Wed Mar 28, 2012 4:56 pm
Forum: Engine & Transmission
Topic: Replace PCM or trade it in?
Replies: 43
Views: 14199

Dealers are quick to tell you expensive parts are bad when you are out of warranty.Just for grins, go to an Autozone or maybe another auto parts store and get them to read and give you the CEL code. If you do need a new one, agree buy one online and swap yourself or find someone to help.
by jimincalif
Tue Mar 13, 2012 3:18 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Check your spare!
Replies: 11
Views: 2530

Check your spare!

Helped my son preflight his Vibe before a road trip. Checked the spare, pressure was just 25 psi - supposed to be 60. Would not have worked well if it was needed. I don't know when the spare was last checked.
by jimincalif
Sat Feb 04, 2012 11:09 am
Forum: The Others
Topic: My day with a 2011 Buick Regal
Replies: 23
Views: 4664

How were the brakes? Last Buick I rented, the car drove well enough, but the brakes were scary. They stopped the car but always felt like they were fading.
by jimincalif
Fri Jan 06, 2012 3:22 pm
Forum: Maintenance Bay
Topic: Duracell Auto Battery
Replies: 6
Views: 10960

I'm about done with WalMart batteries. The WM battery in my wife's minivan died today - a dead cell. Battery was bought in April 2010. It was a replacement for the prior WM battery that failed prematurely as well.
by jimincalif
Wed Nov 30, 2011 2:49 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: Which Wireless Router
Replies: 17
Views: 6066

I replaced our failing and aggravating Netgear with a Linksys E1200 a few months ago and have been very pleased. It just works, day in and day out. And it has great coverage throughout the house. Over Thxgiving with all the kids and relatives here I counted 4 laptops, 2 iPods, 1 Kindle, 4 smartphone...
by jimincalif
Thu Nov 03, 2011 2:57 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Mean Auto Parts Guy. . .
Replies: 19
Views: 3491

You won't get flamed for asking questions here. This is a pretty nice board and most everyone is pretty encouraging and helpful when someone is trying to figure out a problem. A lot of credit to the moderators for keeping it friendly.I've been here over 8 years. My two sons now drive the two Vibes b...
by jimincalif
Mon Oct 31, 2011 12:46 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Mean Auto Parts Guy. . .
Replies: 19
Views: 3491

Don't be hurt, he's the idiot, not you. Why would anyone who sells auto parts want to discourage customers from working on their cars? Who does he think buys parts and keeps him employed?Take your business elsewhere and good on you for learning how to do it yourself!
by jimincalif
Sun Oct 30, 2011 5:53 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: Fuel Injection still a selling point at dealerships??
Replies: 10
Views: 2724

A couple of years ago when I was looking to buy an old Fiat Spider 2000, I looked at one at a used car lot nearby. I had the hood open and was checking it out and the sales guy points to the distributor and says "don't see too many carburetors anymore!" Car salesmen, Sheesh!And to top it a...
by jimincalif
Sat Oct 08, 2011 10:48 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: cruise lite blinks cruise will not engage again
Replies: 2
Views: 927

My Lexus did this recently, after having the brake light switch replaced. Turned out the replacement brake light switch was defective. The CC has to have a circuit thru the brake light system so that it will disengage when the brakes are applied. Check to see that all of your brake lights are workin...
by jimincalif
Wed Oct 05, 2011 1:03 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: RIP Steve Jobs 1955-2011
Replies: 8
Views: 2372

Read the news on my iPhone. RIP Mr. Jobs.
by jimincalif
Sat Sep 24, 2011 10:30 am
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: She's Here
Replies: 14
Views: 2994

Congratulations! Your lives will never be the same (in a good way).
by jimincalif
Thu Sep 15, 2011 3:04 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: Battery Prices seem 2x what they were 4 years ago
Replies: 17
Views: 3726

I agree prices seem to be up and/or warranties shorter. In the last three years I've bought 5 batteries - 2 for the van, 1 each Fiat, son's '03 Vibe, and the boat. All from Walmart just because they are close and were the only place open when the cars died. First van battery died and got the pro-rat...
by jimincalif
Fri Sep 02, 2011 12:37 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: Electric Co. Power Off
Replies: 4
Views: 1255

We were out for about 30 hours 3 days before last Christmas, blown underground equipment. We had both a refrigerator and freezer full of food for the big extended family Christmas gathering we were hosting, so I bought a generator at Home Depot that ran them and a few lights.
by jimincalif
Sat Aug 13, 2011 1:34 am
Forum: Problems & Warranty Issues
Topic: Elective 'brain surgery' - worth it?
Replies: 10
Views: 2493

get it done. Our 2007 was perfect..... til it wasn't. Had to be towed in.We had taken it in for the recall, they told us it was not one of the recalled PCMs. But it failed anyway.
by jimincalif
Mon Aug 08, 2011 2:08 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: Stock Market
Replies: 14
Views: 2996

Ouch is right. I've taken a pretty big hit too. I do have cash available to invest as well, but this episode may have further to run. We'll probably get QE3 to pump things up a bit longer (at least going into an election year).
by jimincalif
Fri Aug 05, 2011 7:42 am
Forum: The Others
Topic: My new car...another long story!
Replies: 21
Views: 4395

Agreed re those testers. I used to have a Lexus ES300, the battery died and I was right next to a Sears so I got a new one from them. As part of their replacement process they supposedly tested the charging system and told me the alternator was bad. I thanked them, paid for the battery and went home...
by jimincalif
Wed Aug 03, 2011 12:23 pm
Forum: The Others
Topic: My new car...another long story!
Replies: 21
Views: 4395

Glad it worked out for you. Although the numbers are a bit scary it sounds like it makes sense this time. If you were down to your last $20, then cutting the payment $100/mo is a good thing.Some suggestions:1. Start banking the $100 per month you are now saving each month in a lower car payment. Wit...
by jimincalif
Thu Jul 28, 2011 1:08 pm
Forum: The Others
Topic: GM MASTERCARD - another topped up deal
Replies: 8
Views: 2543

Here in Taxifornia, even they don't require sales tax for car title transfers between parent and child. I bought a car from my parents 4 yrs ago, and just this month we transferred title on Vibe No 1 to my oldest son. No sales tax due on either transfer.
by jimincalif
Wed Jul 27, 2011 9:40 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: OWNED!
Replies: 13
Views: 2539

Well done!
by jimincalif
Fri Jul 22, 2011 11:39 am
Forum: Problems & Warranty Issues
Topic: Sound insulation behind glove box?
Replies: 2
Views: 826

Ivibe, you're good. They didn't change the filter, but they got in there to unclog the AC drain, so no doubt removed it. I checked the filter and it was not seated in the box, just resting as it slides in. Also one of the cheezy tabs that holds the cover on was broken. I seated the filter and taped ...
by jimincalif
Fri Jul 22, 2011 9:29 am
Forum: Problems & Warranty Issues
Topic: Sound insulation behind glove box?
Replies: 2
Views: 826

Sound insulation behind glove box?

07 Vibe was repaired by dealer last week (see thread "Vibe no go") for PCM and apparently clogged AC condensate drain. Now when accelerating there is noticeably more engine noise in the cabin coming in from behind the glove box. Looking behind it I can see the firewall, haven't taken thing...
by jimincalif
Sat Jul 16, 2011 2:45 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: "What a cute car"
Replies: 28
Views: 5359

More important, was the girl in the window cute?
by jimincalif
Sat Jul 16, 2011 3:04 am
Forum: Problems & Warranty Issues
Topic: Vibe no go
Replies: 5
Views: 1564

Thanks all. Flew home last night, picked up the car this morning, it is running fine. Here is the rest of the story.Our regular mechanic kept the car and drove it Weds morning and it failed again. Based on the codes he said it looks like the computer, so we had it towed to the GM dealer on Thursday....
by jimincalif
Tue Jul 12, 2011 8:44 am
Forum: Problems & Warranty Issues
Topic: Vibe no go
Replies: 5
Views: 1564

Vibe no go

My 07 Vibe with 25k miles died last night. My daughter was driving started up a hill and the engine would not respond to the throttle and CEL came on. She had it towed to our regular shop and today it is working perfectly. Code indicates fault I the throttle system but no way to further diagnose unt...
by jimincalif
Thu Jun 16, 2011 12:24 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: Senate Votes to End Ethanol Subsidy
Replies: 5
Views: 1475

The sooner it ends the better, IMO. It is driving up food prices, the energy it takes to grown the grains and make the ethanol exceeds its energy content. It wreaks havoc with older fuel systems, it destroys fiberglass fuel tanks in boats, etc.
by jimincalif
Tue Jun 07, 2011 8:04 am
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: Old members check in!!
Replies: 27
Views: 6932

I'm an old member. Son #1 is still driving Vibe #1, an 03 Salsa GT. Son #2 is driving Vibe #2, an 07 Base. Good Vibes.
by jimincalif
Sun May 15, 2011 2:02 pm
Forum: The Others
Topic: Decisions, Decisions
Replies: 53
Views: 20664

Growing up my father had a '63 Corvair convertible and a '67 Barracuda convertible. When I was in high school a buddy's father had a Fiat 124 Spider.I bought an old '80 Fiat Spider a couple years ago. It has its issues but it was inexpensive, and it is not my daily driver. My first rag top, I really...
by jimincalif
Sun May 08, 2011 1:55 pm
Forum: Humor
Topic: I feel sorry for this Vibe (slightly mature content)
Replies: 26
Views: 6135

It is certainly a visual attack.
by jimincalif
Sun May 08, 2011 10:46 am
Forum: Humor
Topic: I feel sorry for this Vibe (slightly mature content)
Replies: 26
Views: 6135

I feel sorry for this Vibe (slightly mature content)

This poor Vibe.... From peopleofwalmart.com:
by jimincalif
Fri Apr 29, 2011 1:25 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: What the heck is a "Fuel induction service"?
Replies: 5
Views: 1760

Thanks all, that's what I thought. Fortunately my wife's BS detector went off as well and she declined it.
by jimincalif
Fri Apr 29, 2011 10:35 am
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: What the heck is a "Fuel induction service"?
Replies: 5
Views: 1760

What the heck is a "Fuel induction service"?

Took Vibe #2 into the stealership today for the PCM recall. Apparently it does not have one of the units that needs to be replaced.But dealer recommended a "fuel induction service" to the tune of $185? I've never heard of such. Vibe #2 has about 24K miles. Any idea what they are referring ...
by jimincalif
Wed Apr 27, 2011 5:33 am
Forum: Problems & Warranty Issues
Topic: Differential Whine (SOLVED)
Replies: 11
Views: 3754

Agree, that does sound more like a wheel bearing.
by jimincalif
Tue Apr 26, 2011 1:58 pm
Forum: Problems & Warranty Issues
Topic: Differential Whine (SOLVED)
Replies: 11
Views: 3754

If it is the rear end it probably is a bearing. Might as well try to change the lube, but don't get your hopes up.If you do nothing, the worn bearing and out of spec clearances can lead to a chipped tooth on the pinion gear. Then you need a new ring and pinion set, as well as bearings and a rebuild.
by jimincalif
Wed Mar 30, 2011 2:27 pm
Forum: Problems & Warranty Issues
Topic: Oil light came on..
Replies: 17
Views: 5693

Which came first, the engine stall or the oil pressure light? If the engine stalls the oil light comes on because the oil pump stops pumping. May not be an oil issue at all but something else causing it to stall.
by jimincalif
Thu Mar 10, 2011 3:20 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: The Cap'n to walk the plank?
Replies: 28
Views: 6177

I find a protein shake with fruit is about as quick and much better for you than cereal. Get chocolate whey protein isolate (the vanilla is vile IMO). Couple scoops in the blender with a banana or strawberries, ice, water and powdered non-fat milk and I'm good to go.