GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Vulcan

2006 AWD is at 234,000 has a few minor issues, but runs great however- rust has been well established, exacerbated by exhaust leaks which is due to NY / Federal laws on AWD exhausts and thus me DIY'ing it, about 4 years ago still, has been a worthy endeavor, I was 4th or 5th owner, and got a solid 4...

Vulcan

short version: put all the parts back on the car, stupid. In troubleshooting my 2006 AWD, I had errors on o2 sensor 1. Turned out the Sensor was right, and replacing it only added to my confusion. I could not get the heat shield/cowl off the first Sensor, and after asking around, decided to install ...

Vulcan

well you've ruled out a lot, and if you keep the car that will serve you well down the road - with the whole series of P030x's , does that make you suspect ignition coil more ? did you look at the spark plugs? maybe you fixed an underlying problem already, but the plugs are all scorched out from run...

Vulcan

So, I am troubleshooting a P0171 that came up this past Monday. Toyota said in a bulletin, the air/fuel sensor has a manufacturing defect 2005-2006, so if you get P0171, they recommended changing that sensor. So, I changed the sensor. Doesn't appear to have been the source of the problem - I think I...

Vulcan

I just recently found a Toyota bulletin that for 05-06 Matrix, there was a manufacturing defect in some of the air/fuel sensors, and they recommend changing that sensor (to a new part) if you get a P0171, and you have a Corolla, Matrix, or presumably Vibe as well. Sorry, I can't find the link in a s...

Vulcan

Wow that's a nice one. Mine is 2006, same white/grey, but it the paint is beat to hell and back again. What do you mean by "runs ok"? Mine was quite sluggish. I regained a noticeable amount of HP with a couple of oil changes and short road trips, some fuel system cleaner, and new spark plu...

Vulcan

That was easy. I got 3 quarts out, which was dark amber to black. The new fluid smells even stronger than the old, I forgot how weird transmission fluid smells. I didn't put any Lucas in it, if the transmission is solid I don't think it will need that.
And now I have a set of hex wrenches ~

Vulcan

We never had a transmission go out on one with over 20 vans, most of them higher mileage and scantily maintained. But with a car like a Caravan that is very successful in numbers, we will naturally see a lot more failures in aggregate. You are definitely doing the right thing getting the dirt out o...

Vulcan

So, I think I'm in a window here where it's safe to do a drain and fill? But, I'm aware of reputable mechanic warnings about changing transmission fluid on high mileage cars. This will sometimes result in a car that was shifting fine with a worn transmission and grungy fluid, to then start slipping...

Vulcan

2006 AWD with now 196k. It runs and shifts just fine. I checked the fluid and its topped up, condition is grey, and coming from a hot engine, to me it smells like transmission fluid mixed with dirty laundry and mushrooms. I don't detect any burning smell. So, I think I'm in a window here where it's ...

Vulcan

I had that happen too, with exhaust parts for Gen 1 AWD's. Those parts are harder to find, so I heard they "do not exist", and a mechanic showed me their parts search with no results. I don't blame him, as it was not easy to find a Canadian source for those parts. And then later on I found...

Vulcan

I'm not very experienced with engines, so don't listen to me. I don't think conventional oil will cause that. The only difference IMO would be the conventional will last a couple thousand miles less than the synthetic. Since you know its running rich, I would then check the spark plugs. That might i...

Vulcan

Work has restarted, at very limited numbers. I am sure the China virus numbers have been greatly exaggerated and distorted for politics. I don't believe non-surgical masks, particularly as used - dirty, hanging off chins half the time, are much of a preventative. It's mostly a psychological thing. B...

Vulcan

Snow tires are awesome. Last winter was so mild (central NY here), it hardly mattered. This will be my first winter with the AWD Vibe. I've got new all-seasons, which are kind of a worst-of-both worlds. They're not as good as snows, not as good as summers. It's a common tire size though, I'd check C...

Vulcan

there might be a reason the Canadian part is cheaper, like less platinum.

I don't know, I'm going to go with the o2 sensor spacer for now. For a 200k , 15 year old car, if I can get by with that it makes more sense to me.

Vulcan

I'm using the "Mobil" premium filter (which is made by Fram) since there is a steep discount when you buy it with a jug of Mobil Synthetic.

Vulcan

my last post was venting frustration, but I don't give up. I bought a premade o2 spacer from ebay, which took a little extra time to arrive. Spray painted it black, and installed it quite easily, since I'd already removed the old o2 sensor. About 24 hours later, the CEL went out on its own. :mrgreen...

Vulcan

It took a few days for the computer to get used to the new o2 sensor, but I'm right back where I started now. All internal emissions green, including catalyst, but still stuck with P0420's. Two confirmed, one pending. I spent over an hour trying to drill out one of a set of spark plug defoulers, to ...

Vulcan

Found another source today, and based in NY! Either they didn't get the memo/scare about these cars, or they know something other sources don't. Maybe there is an exemption (to the parts ban) in the fine print of the law, who knows. https://www.macautoparts.net/full-exhaust-system-for-pontiac-vibe-2...

Vulcan

So, this change of design suggests it might have been the original o2 sensor. The condition of the wiring below the car looked so clean, and it was dangling in a haphazard way, that I though it had been a recent replacement. But the condition of the sensor inside, is far worse than the top one was. ...

Vulcan

Finally managed to conquer the o2 sensor replacement. Finding the plug took longer than replacing the sensor. First I unplugged it, and then fed it back down through its hole. Three long hits of the torch (my first time using one), some PB soaking when still hot (wear a mask!). and then the closed e...

Vulcan

Just to make a concise post, and because it was a pain to find: on the 1st Gen AWD Vibe, the downstream o2 sensor comes up directly beneath the passenger seat, and plugs into a connector beneath the seat as well, under the carpet. You are best off removing the passenger seat, as well as the airbag c...

Vulcan

Nice rig! I've thought I may paint the wheels on mine black also, when I get around to painting them. They are an eyesore with badly-applied silver paint flaking off everywhere. I read somewhere else on this forum, that some people with the 2ZZ engine use, or maybe that Toyota recommends, using the ...

Vulcan

result of spark plug + air filter change: LTFT improved from -7.8% to -5.4% Now it is within the +/- 6% mentioned in Toyota P0420 article linked above. Can't tell what is placebo, but going for a drive, it feels much smoother on accelerations, and slightly more power. 8-) But - additionally, I spent...

Vulcan

The water pump failure and overheating maybe warped the head? That's always my concern with older aluminum engines esp. 4-cycle...? They should have checked the oil and spark plugs before even bothering replacing the water pump. This is sad. I wish cars had an audible temp warning beeper, but it can...

Vulcan

I might be able to take some high-resolution photos of the 2006 AWD drive train, in profile -

Vulcan

So yesterday morning, I'm going through the old toolbox, and I thinks to myself, "what the hell did you use this for, Dad?" , being a very long wrench extension bar. Fast-forward to later in the evening, and I'm about to change the spark plugs on the vehicle (the Vibe I'm working on is my ...

Vulcan

I'll have to check that area next time I'm changing oil as well ~ sounds like something many of the cars of that age might be needing

Vulcan

The spark plug anti-fouler stack cleared the P0420 code on both a 2000 Corolla I had and also on Frosty at about 185k. Thanks Mark, good to know. I may end up taking that route, but not until I've ruled out the sensor. While the car seems to run great to me, what do I know. I figured a new set of D...

Vulcan

Allright well just gathering more data, once warmed up the car is -7.8% long-term fuel trim at idle, about -2.4% with giving it any throttle. Is the idle LTFT a problem?? the downstream o2 sensor is staying 0.02-0.2v anywhere between idle and 2500rpm, except when you step on the gas, then it spikes ...

Vulcan

Another read for you that you may be interested in: https://www.autoserviceprofessional.com/2935/understanding-and-diagnosing-toyota-p0420-dtc You may pick up some info that may give you some ideas. The above talks of Toyota P0420 toward the end of the article, and a Toyota is what a Vibe is. When ...

Vulcan

Thanks for posting the pics, that's really helpful. I will check that spot on my AWD, and see if it can be gently cleaned up, and then hit it with rustoleum.

Vulcan

oops double post

Vulcan

I recently came by a Scotty Kilmer video in which he mentioned just how bad driving through puddles can be. He specifically was talking about how that can destroy a catalytic converter, but it won't be immediately apparent. It's probably not a danger if you hit the puddle early, but if you drive thr...

Vulcan

Just went for a spirited drive today, aka the "Italian tune-up". The #2 sensor has calmed right down, and is a steady .1-.2v for the most part. I think the jumpy readings yesterday were the lingering effects of the seafoam experiment. I'm just going to drive it for a few days, a little har...

Vulcan

well thats been a very long day. I looked over 8 Vibes in the junkyard, found one AWD, same year as mine. I didn't manage to get anything from it, but at least I know it's there. The Canadians got back to me, and yes they will ship the Unholy Exhaust components to NY. So that's good. I could get man...

Vulcan

Looked a 7 Vibes in the junkyard and 1 Matrix, one Vibe was an AWD. What I found was that the upper manifold heat shield on that AWD was in similarly bad condition to mine, totally disintegrated on the right side. It probably had the same exhaust leak, and maybe the same problem led it do the junkya...

Vulcan

Found the local u-pull, they've got 6 Vibes of the right year, and one Matrix. Doesn't specify if they are AWD so I'm going to take a look before it gets any hotter out today ~

Might end up pulling off some struts as well if this goes well enough

Vulcan

Yeah, the AWD manifold is hard to get ahold of. IF he won't ship to NY, feel free to ship it to PA and come get it..Not sure where in NY you are, but I am about 2hr south of Buffalo (across from Jamestown, NY). I could ship it back to you if you cover shipping. Partsgeek has one listed for a lot of...

Vulcan

First, I'd take care of the low voltage code... Ensure your wires are all connected properly, and the sensors are functioning correctly. Outside of that, P0420 99.999999% of the time on these is for the first cat. On the AWD, the first cat is in the manifold, so you'd have to replace that. I've got...

Vulcan

Canada is also a good place to source the rear disc brake dust shields. They're stupid expensive here in the USA. Thanks! My AWD has drums on the rear. Working fine, but the exterior metal of the drums is literally falling apart. The exhaust system from Canada is about $100 for the cat part, and $1...

Vulcan

Thanks, jolt, that's about where my thought is on it. It *seems* that both o2 sensors are working right , and the #2 sensor being a recent replacement makes it less likely its not working . Torque Lite is having a lot of problems talking to my OBDii transmitter, at least on my particular phone. It w...

Vulcan

Using the Torque (lite) Android App, I think the o2 sensors are working properly. Sensor #1 jumps around from low to high and back again. Sensor #2 (but which also has the "circuit malfunction" code), once its warmed up, is also jumping around in the same range as #1. (0-0.8v max). So, I t...

Vulcan

Just a PSA, if you're looking for a direct-fit exhaust for your AWD Vibe, and finding them hard to track down, you might take the search to Canadian ebay sellers. The only US State they won't ship to is California; whereas a US-based seller, IF they have the parts (good luck) won't ship to NY as wel...

Vulcan

History - 2006 AWD, 190k. The most I've ever fixed on a car is disc brakes, thermostats, oil changes. I am using Torque Lite in my cell phone to read diagnostics. bought car from a dishonest seller that cleared the engine codes. My mistake, live and learn. I changed the oil straight away, with the c...

Vulcan

https://car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi

Vulcan

The 2nd mechanic estimate proved total BS. I left the car with him for a few hours, and he said he was "still waiting to see if I can get parts". I asked what parts, and its just the spring bolts and donut gasket. I already knew that, and those aren't hard to find. (That whole section of p...

Vulcan

I'm pleasantly surprised that, even with an exhaust leak and CEL on, my last fill-up showed 37mpg for a 2006 AWD. Previous fill-up was 33mpg. This is mostly country road driving, and I always get non-ethanol fuel.

Vulcan

I have a similar leak, and found it by putting a vacuum on the tailpipe. Seems to be right on the exhaust flange just down from the manifold, way up under in the center of the car (2006 AWD) There are some sealing products that rate to 2500F, and I've seen plenty of videos where this does work, at l...

Vulcan

I just ordered a set of flat, mag style. I can't even get the wheels off my Vibe, the lugs on there are so mismatched and mangled from impact wrenches I don't dare until I've got a full new set of them onhand. Even then, there's at least one lug nut so rounded I might need professional help with it....

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