2005 Vibe with 194k miles Had to get a jump start today and drove to the part shop to test what they could. Battery tested fine but the 5 month old alternator didn't pass. Guy said that the error msg. said the voltage regulator wasn't working. I got a new alternator as it was under warranty and inst...

We replaced the alternator and with a full load with everything on in, the terminals show 14.1 V so I call that a success. Glad you got it fixed. For future reference, a fully charged battery is 12.6v or more. Any time the charging system is outputting less than 12.6v the battery is being discharge...

We replaced the alternator and with a full load with everything on in, the terminals show 14.1 V so I call that a success.

My more knowledgeable neighbor from across the street came over to help.

We did the 2000 rpm test. With everything off, voltage was 14.20-14.24.

With everything on, voltage was 12.1 but began dropping. After about 4-5 min. it was below 11.9 and still dropping.

Okay...so now I've got to ask. What is considered a proper alternator load test? Is it something I can do with a simple voltmeter or do I need something more complicated?

But shouldn't the alternator mostly keep up with the load on it?

I reran the test later and after 20 min. the voltage had dropped to 11.1 V with everything on and the engine was sputtering.

Salsa Guy wrote:The alternator test while installed in the car is iffy at best. Battery test is ok but not perfect.

Would you suspect that the voltmeter wasn't lying though?

Battery is 8 months old and I just cleaned all the terminals before checking with a voltmeter.

As far as I know, its probably the original alternator.

Vibe wouldn't start this morning and had to get a AAA jump. Started right up with boost. Tech ran their test, which said the alternator was fine, but the battery had to be charged and tested again, so I drove it around for an hour, then went to O'Reilly's. With the car on, O'Reilly tested the batter...

Does anyone know the plastic yield point on a Vibe rear bumper?

My wife's '05 vibe was rear ended, causing damage to the rear bumper and possibly below it. <see pics> How hard would it be to get an aftermarket part and to repair it myself and save on the labor? I'm an oilfield engineer and figure if I can do a timing belt on a Corolla at a friend's airplane hang...

So no pressured flush?

How about flushing every 2 weeks?

I figure I should at least drop the pan, change the gasket, clean the magnets, etc and give him good advice even if I end up not buying it myself.

Buddy at work is selling his 2006 Vibe with 143K miles on it. He never had the trans fluid flushed or exchanged (don't know why). The fluid is barely pink and does not smell burnt. Car looks to be otherwise in very good condition. My 2005 Vibe with 149K miles on it and 2 fluid exchanges on it has th...

The same problem occurred in my 2004 Vibe at 134k miles. I liked the post about rotating the servo gear 180 degrees so went that route. I took the glove box out and used a 7/32 socket driver to get the bottom bolt out and using latex gloves for a better grip, was able to use just the socket without ...

I just saw http://forums.genvibe.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=19703" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and that referenced the likely reason why the power window is knocking a bit and the check strap broke. The vehicle has 121K miles on it. Does anyone have any suggestions on how...

After calling http://www.toyotapartsexpress.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, I found out the part "Trim plate w/power window, w/one touch" is a 6 hole panel that has the one touch, which is where you push the driver's side window lever down all the way and let ...

How has the power window piece broken? There are a few threads on here regarding DIY fixes to repair the door panel piece. Might look into them and save some money first, Here is one: http://forums.genvibe.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=36996" onclick="window.open(this.href);return f...

I am trying to track down the parts to repair my wife's car. 1) The small panel on the driver's door that the levers for the power window control box screws too has broken. 2) The plastic stop that prevents the door from opening all the way and being stopped by the door hinges has broken (snapped). ...

Thank you very much...I'll be able to make the wife happier now.

http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=14014 was very helpful for the gear shift light.Regarding the bulbs, the link for the radio tells what kind of bulb to use. Did anyone id the bulb for the gear shift? I didn't see that info in the gear shift light links.

Morning,Got a question that is stumping me atm.The illumination for the gear shift (P, R, N, D, D2, D1) as well as the illumination for the radio (factory model, single CD/AUX, FM/AM only) has failed.The radio works fine, you just cannot see the clock or the channel you are on.The gear shift light i...

My wife's 05 Vibe's ignition key does not work any of the exterior locks. Whats the most cost effective way to fix this?

I am having the same problem with my 05 Vibe on the driver's side. The keyless remote, electrical door lock/unlock switch, and putting the car into gear/into park will not trigger the driver's side door lock, which is how I have the keyless alarm set up.Interestingly, when the car is put into drive,...

Yes...The blower motor, below and behind the glove compartment, had a short at the point where the wiring harness snapped into the bottom of the blower motor. Jiggling the harness while the electrical was connected would cause the blower to turn on and off. The conclusion was that the circuit board ...

When you say the first one, you mean the driver's side don't you?Where would the ground be for that headlamp? I've not done much with wiring on a vehicle before but have a lot of experience with wiring houses and mechanical apparatus.Another point I need to make is that when the foglamps are on and ...

2005 Vibe.Driver's side headlamp socket melted 3 times in the past 2 years. I finally crimped in some quick connectors to make replacing this part easier. I am frustrated on why only the driver's side melts while the passenger side does not though. If anyone has any thoughts on this it would be welc...

The bumper did not come off the car. Only the bottom 2 plastic bolts broke off from the flexing of the bumper.

No history of migraines, headaches, or neck issues.L4 and L5 were previously injured when we were rear ended in a Corolla over 12 years ago. That has since healed and we had 2 children since then. No back aggravation from the pregnancies so it should be presumed that the previous accident had been v...

I hope someone here will be able to answer this or be able to point me in the right direction at least.My wife was rear-ended by a F150 extended cab truck. Both vehicles were at a complete stop at a red light. The light turned green and the F150 hit the gas pushing the Vibe partially into the inters...

2004 Vibe, automatic transmission, 2WD, 94k milesOverall I am very happy with this vehicle. Just in the past week however, my wife has noticed that when she turns the vehicle on, the AC will not come on. Neither heat or cool air will come out which makes me think the blower is going. As soon as she ...

I'm in a bit of a jam here (no pun intended).I bought an 05 vibe used (loved the vehicle) and just last night, the driver's window came off the track. I took the interior panel off the door and removed the window to inspect the damage. I found 2 aluminum clasps/latches attached to the rail that is p...

I want to hook up an 1/8" female jack to my 2005 Vibe single CD radio. It has a CD/Aux button on there so it seems that it should be possible. Has anyone found where the best place to splice it in should be? (Specific directions would be great.)I've tried FM transmitters and their range sucks a...