GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

JohnO

I think I do remember reading somewhere that the EVAP leak check is done hours after the engine has been shut off.

JohnO

I did exactly what you are talking about last summer. My recommendation would be not to flush, just drain and refill once. I feel like there is no need to flush if the coolant is not in bad shape and you are replacing it with the same coolant type. To drain the overflow tank simply leave the radiato...

JohnO

O/D off = you have a 3-speed automatic
O/D on = you have a 4-speed automatic

JohnO

Like I said earlier, could just be the alternator brushes. They are easy to change if you have the alternator out anyway. The video that I linked explains how to check the bearings. If they are OK, give the brushes a shot.

JohnO

Was the car completely out of fuel when it died at the stop sign? If so, you could have gotten air into the pump and it is having a hard time priming again.

JohnO

Bad starter motor contacts are a common problem that will cause the motor not to crank (engine doesn't move at all when the key is turned to "start", as opposed to turning but not starting). I assume from your description that this is what is happening. See this video: http://www.youtube.c...

JohnO

I have one of these: http://www.ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; It will read the OBDII codes and works as a gauge that you can use to monitor any parameters that are accessible with OBDII while you drive. Since it is designed to be used as a gauge...

JohnO

Have you tried this:

viewtopic.php?t=14893" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

JohnO

Here is a good video on how to replace the brushes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CImyX5KuGvQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It goes through a whole rebuild, so only the first part is needed for replacing the brushes.

JohnO

You are right at the mileage where the alternator brushes wear out. I bought a set of brushes at a local alternator shop for $15 and put them in myself. The hardest part of the job is taking the alternator out. I think a lot of people replace the alternator when the problem is just worn brushes. I d...

JohnO

This code can be caused by low fluid level. See this:

http://engine-codes.com/p0741_toyota.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

2800 rpm @ 65 mph sounds about right. The torque converter will lock at around 40-45 mph with light throttle and should be pretty apparent.

JohnO

The P0171 can be caused by the intermittent intake manifold leak in cold weather. If yours hasn't come back, chances are this is what it was. No problem waiting on this one. The P0133 can indicate an aging front O2 sensor. If yours is original it certainly is due for replacement. If it gets bad enou...

JohnO

Also, if you have a scan tool check for error codes.

JohnO

The minimum compression spec is 145 psi, nominal is 189 psi.

You might try using some starter fluid also. If it runs on starter fluid then the problem is in the fuel delivery somehow.

JohnO

For 2007 anyway (the year that I have a manual for) it is on the instrument panel junction box above the driver's side kick panel. It is labeled "C/OPN Relay". Pin 4 is the +12 from the relay at the fuel pump connector and pin 5 is ground. You mentioned that you had measured +12 on one pin...

JohnO

Autozone loans a set of tools for fuel pump removal: http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/OEM-Fuel-pump-replacement-kit/_/N-26hy?itemIdentifier=605758_0_0_" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I can't tell from the photo but it looks like it might include an appropriate o...

JohnO

Sure sounds like a fuel pump. I've heard of people being able to revive a stuck fuel pump by banging on the bottom of the fuel tank with a 2x4. It can turn the motor shaft just a little so the brushes will make contact again and the motor will start. I don't think it is too hard to replace. There is...

JohnO

The catalytic converter only works when it is hot because it needs to be that way for the chemical reaction to occur. Nothing about how it restricts the exhaust will change, so I don't see how the cat being hot or cold will affect your problem. I wouldn't remove the O2 sensor and drive the car. The ...

JohnO

I would try one old plug in each cylinder sequentially like you described for testing the coils. One of the new plugs may be bad and it may not be anything that will be visible by inspection.

JohnO

I would think new plugs should fire easier than old ones so they would put less load on the coils. Did you inspect each of the new plugs and verify the gaps before putting them in? Its possible one of the new plugs is bad as well. I'd try switching in an old plug one at a time before getting a new c...

JohnO

The OBDII error codes *are* the emissions test these days. They don't use the sniffer in the exhaust any more, the cars test themselves and report with the CEL. So if the CEL is off you will pass the test. The car has to have been run long enough since the last error code reset for the tests to have...

JohnO

The trouble codes are mandated as part of the emissions controls on all cars these days. They are only intended to spot things that affect emissions and not more general engine problems. The normal way to diagnose a plugged catalytic converter it to remove the front O2 sensor and attach a pressure g...

JohnO

The intake manifold gasket will affect the idle, not the way the engine runs under load. It sounds like a fuel system issue to me, maybe the fuel pump. Do you have a scan tool that you can use to monitor the fuel trim while you drive?

JohnO

If the problem is a relay there will be other things that work that shouldn't as well. For example, if the IG1 relay is stuck the windshield wipers will work when the ignition is off as well.

JohnO

I replaced my thermostat without removing the intake or alternator. It is a little tight but not too bad. Only trick is that the new gasket looks like an o-ring but is slotted and actually installed over the edge of the new thermostat before it is put in place.

JohnO

I've disconnected my battery before and the relearning process is not that noticeable. It shouldn't affect starting or not. Does the engine crank normally with the new battery? If not, the problem could be the alternator output is too low or you have a bad cable somewhere. Check the battery voltage ...

JohnO

Have you ever replace the thermostat? They generally last about 5 years before they will start to open too soon and not let the engine warm up properly. Fuel consumption will then increase. The engine should reach at least 190Â°F (88Â°C) within a couple of miles after a cold start. Use a scan tool t...

JohnO

I went out and looked at my car. It is a drain tube that attaches to the blower motor. It is labeled in this thread: http://forums.genvibe.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=29211&p=476502#p476502" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;\ I think it may really be for cooling the...

JohnO

I think that is the drain for the A/C condensation. So, not only does it blow cold air, if you run the A/C it will drip on your passengers feet as well.

JohnO

I'll bet they are the right parts, just installed on the wrong sides.

JohnO

The wiper arms are on the wrong sides. The longer one should be on the passenger side.

JohnO

My Toyota manual looks more like the first diagram with the dots aligning. Also, there are marks on each sprocket at the top. The one on the left sprocket is visible in the OP's picture. Starting with the link at one mark as "1", the other sprocket's mark should be at link 8.

JohnO

I'll bet the engine is OK. You just need to reset the cam timing and make sure the chain tensioner is working right. Probably the chain tension got loose and the cam sprocket jumped a tooth. The jumped tooth means the ECU can't get the cam timing to the right place and that sets the P0016. See this:...

JohnO

Does the fan turn at all? When you turn the A/C on the fan should run regardless of the engine temperature. The fan is not needed when the car is moving so if the fan breaks the symptom would be overheating when stopped. If the fan is not running, the most likely problem is the fan motor.

JohnO

+1 on the rear Oxygen sensor. The whole problem all along could have been 2 bad Oxygen sensors. What are the odds? You could have got a hold of some bad gas that did them both in.

JohnO

I just noticed there is also a relay labeled "HTR Relay." I'd pull it and make sure it clicks when you apply 12v to pins 1 and 2.

JohnO

The fuse is a 40 amp labeled "Heater." If the problem is the brushes on the blower motor turning it a bit may allow the brushes to make contact again so the motor will run. The blower is not too hard to remove and inspect.

JohnO

It is a common problem with the starter motors on the Corolla/Matrix/Vibe. The contacts wear out and the starter suddenly won't work one time. It is inexpensive to repair if you know how. See this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgGWQ02GtEk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

JohnO

Your brakes are probably OK. When the engine isn't running there is no source of vacuum for the power brakes. You only get a couple of pushes until the vacuum is gone and your power brakes become manual brakes. So the hard brake pedal is just the extra resistance from the brake boost being gone.

JohnO

I had a similar issue with the fuel gauge on my Chrysler minivan. It would drop quickly from full while driving and was generally erratic. It turned out to be a plugged vent line for the fuel tank. The fuel pump was pulling a vacuum on the plastic tank and the tank was getting crushed. You can easil...

JohnO

I would go ahead and change the radiator hoses when changing the coolant. I change the large radiator hoses on the second coolant change and all the smaller hoses on the 3rd coolant change. The larger hoses seem to age more quickly and I find after 8 years or so they are getting soft.

JohnO

It is normal. My '06 idles at 1800 rpm when first started. What I have found is that the idle slows when the O2 sensor warms up enough that the engine goes into closed loop control. I think it is an emissions control "feature" that cuts down the time that it takes the engine to go into clo...

JohnO

It sounds like the alternator bearings could be starting to seize up. Have the alternator checked for proper operation.

JohnO

I do check my temperature gauge and it heats up normally. You can't really tell from the temperature gauge on the car whether the thermostat is good or not. The gauges are designed so there is a wide range of temperatures over which it will stay right in the middle. The easiest way to monitor the a...

JohnO

Here is the thread:

viewtopic.php?t=20191" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

JohnO

I'd say to check the front O2 sensor and the thermostat. Both can be checked with a good OBD reader. The engine should stay up near 200Â° while it is running. Thermostat tend to fail slowly and over time will keep the temperature too low (under 180Â° or so) for proper operation of the engine.

JohnO

Mine was kind of tweaky when I first got my '06 (it was 2 years old). I found a procedure to calibrate the gas pedal that involves pressing it down fully with the engine off and operating the ignition switch in a particular sequence. It fixed mine, or at least it is a lot less sensitive now. I'll se...

JohnO

I tried a similar thing on my VW New Beetle. It has a venturi-shaped snorkel attachment inside the air filter housing on the end of the hose coming from the front of the car. It necks down to about half the area of the throttle body opening. Many people were advocating removing it to increase horsep...

JohnO

I think the switch is built into the latch. Maybe lubricating the latch would help.

JohnO

I looked at the service manual and there is a single electrical connector for all the solenoids. It it located near the shift cable. Here is some info on P0741:

http://engine-codes.com/p0741_toyota.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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