GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

andrewclaus

Those sound like good tips if you use the A/C at low rpms, in city traffic. It seems to work okay at highway speeds at least. I use the A/C a few times a year, only on highway trips, so I haven't run into the issue. I live in a climate where A/C is optional.

andrewclaus

The cat may restrict the exhaust and that could lead to engine damage. Given the value of used cars these days, I'd spend some money to fix it. I'd go a cheap (non-CARB) route if your local emissions testing allows it. Also check to be sure an engine issue isn't causing the cat breakdown--running to...

andrewclaus

Buy the complete shock/spring unit, remove old one, install new one. It's not always that simple though--on my Vibe, the old mount had a ruptured rubber mount that interfered with a bolt and was a pain to move, and the new unit was a few mm longer and it took an extra hand and crowbar to lever the a...

andrewclaus

Agreed. The one time I used portable spring compressors it scared the heck out of me, on a bench. I wouldn't want to do that in the wheel well of a car.

andrewclaus

No on the cowling. Three hours for the pair sounds okay, even for a home mechanic, not each. If they're including an alignment, it sounds better. There are often difficulties with suspension parts on old cars once you get into the job, so it's smart to have contingency funds for extra time and parts.

andrewclaus

Do a basic tune up if it's been a while. Check spark plugs, clean MAF sensor and throttle body, check PCV valve, run some injector cleaner through. Check engine compression--many auto parts stores have tool loaner programs so this could be free. Is it running at normal engine temp? Check tire pressu...

andrewclaus

Sounds like it's behaving normally... I know on some cars I've owned there was a way to perform a ritual of switches and things, or jumpering a connector somewhere to to get a light to flash out a code, but Vibes don't do that. You need to use an ODBII scanner. Most chain auto parts stores will use...

andrewclaus

The flexplate on an automatic transmission is the flywheel. Damage to the flexplate/flywheel would be my concern here as well.

The problem with the relay may be with the wiring coil, so grease wouldn't work.

andrewclaus

Drove to the grocery store this afternoon, car was running just fine, about a 4.5 mile trip. Came out 15 minutes later and started it up, very rough idle. Wasn't sure if it was a miss or not, but suspected it probably was. I have my code reader in the car, but it's 20º here today with a 15-20 mph w...

andrewclaus

Fouling indicates oil in combustion chamber, from valve guides, head gasket, or piston rings. Compression or bleed-down test will show problems.

Burned electrode indicates very hot running, possibly running too lean, or improper spark plug.

andrewclaus

I'm not sure about the whole knuckle, but I used Toyota part numbers for the bearings. I found a local transmission shop with the right press to install them.

andrewclaus

I had some limited success scrubbing headlights using a mildly abrasive kitchen sponge and barkeeper's friend. Thanks for this note. I was just wondering if BKF would work on headlights--it's great for nearly everything else. A friend of mine in the auto body business once did mine in return for a ...

andrewclaus

I just looked up the part number on Toyota's parts site and found this number: 89952-35011 A quick search on eBay shows the same part was used on quite a few Toyotas, including this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/114999897166?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&a...

andrewclaus

...I did actually buy some high mileage fuel system cleaner, but it says to put it in on a nearly empty tank, and mine is essentially full. Any ideas on what to try next? Get another bottle or can of fuel treatment? The problem may be fouled injectors. Changing a fuel filter won't fix that. Try the...

andrewclaus

Try some fuel system cleaner. If your gas got contaminated, that'll help.

No check engine light?

andrewclaus

The overflow reservoir. Thanks for the advice. Should I top off the reservoir again? The bubble in the heater core should be filled now right? I always use the radiator neck to fill coolant. Tools like a Lisle funnel are available. A small leak in the system may stop the siphon process needed for t...

andrewclaus

It takes more than a drive around town or sitting at idle to relearn settings. It takes a complete "drive cycle." That's typically a combination of city and highway driving, getting up to running temperature and certain rpms, with and without braking, etc. Last time I changed a battery in ...

andrewclaus

Are you looking at the level in the radiator or in the overflow reservoir? 'Depending on your bleeding technique, you might have left an air bubble in the heater core. It's possible to have an internal HG leak, from cooling jacket to cylinder, that won't show up in the engine compartment, rather as ...

andrewclaus

No, it doesn't make sense that the check engine light is not on. Have you verified the light works? It should come on with the key switch in ignition mode. It also doesn't make sense that the speedometer isn't working with the ABS problems indicated. You mentioned a previous VSS code so it's suspect...

andrewclaus

It's got to get pretty extreme to chain up both axles. And what a pain. If you have AWD and decent snow tires, chains won't be needed. I was a first responder in a mountain community in Colorado and my old Subaru wagon got everywhere without them. If it's FWD, keep chains handy and know how to use t...

andrewclaus

I missed in your OP that you have AWD. Make sure that diagram is for AWD. As you noted above, they're different parts. There may be different wiring as well.

On my base model 2007, that diagram is roughly correct. It's more behind the engine, near the exhaust manifold.

andrewclaus

I use this website to find the Toyota part numbers: http://www.japan-parts.eu/toyota/us/200 ... _005_/body. You'll have to input the year and Matrix characteristics equivalent to your Vibe. It's a little hard to navigate at first but it's a powerful tool.

andrewclaus

I think that's the neutral safety switch. The VSS will be toward the rear, right above the shaft output.

andrewclaus

Reaccion wrote: ↑Sat Oct 16, 2021 5:30 am I am looking into the speed sensor. But I can not find the exact location for the 2003 Vibe AWD automatic transmission.

It's the rearmost of two sensors on top of the transmission housing. The other one on top is the back-up lamp switch.

andrewclaus

Another one bites the dust. Got a CEL and misfiring this morning, went back home and my scanner said P0304. Replaced the #4 coil and it's running smooth again. Probably too late for a warranty replacement now, but I'll ask anyway. I never heard back after two emails via eBay. I found a couple of re...

andrewclaus

Is the check engine light also on? Have also you checked for diagnostic codes using the OBD-II port? It sounds like the vehicle speed sensor isn't working, but that would definitely give a code.

Also, did you check ground continuity from the ABS module?

andrewclaus

The sensor might normally have lower voltage, 5 V or so, depending on the type of sensor.

Check the supply voltage at the ABS actuator, to verify the computer is getting battery voltage.

I'll try adding a file of the wiring diagram that shows where to check voltage on page 3.

andrewclaus

I think the P0171 problem is causing everything else. There was mechanical damage near the intake manifold from the fan blades, and you did some work in that area. Something could be leaking. The manifold on mine is plastic. I'd check there. Use a length of heater hose to listen.

andrewclaus

The voltage Code 41 voltage problem could be a loose/broken wire or pin at the ABS computer or anywhere in the ABS system. That will take probing around with a wiring diagram and voltmeter to check.

andrewclaus

Another of my new coils just failed, about 500 miles after the first one failed, less than 5000 miles and five months from purchase. I'm getting tired of that and I just put all the old coils back in. I never heard back from the eBay vendor so I guess I'll just write that one off. Warranties on elec...

andrewclaus

Another possibility is something else bent enough, or broke, to contact the exhaust system and change the noise. Deeper noise suggests something large, not a heat shield. Motor mount? That much damage could also have cracked a manifold or joint, raising the life safety and engine issues pointed out ...

andrewclaus

Low voltage could be anything from a battery or charging problem to a loose wire in the system.

I'd track that down first. The other codes could be a result of low voltage.

andrewclaus

Apparently Code 41 is low voltage. Have you tried diagnosing that?

andrewclaus

Ditto here, almost 200K miles on the originals. I haven't heard back from the seller but it's only been a day. Since it's been almost five months, maybe I won't. I'll go your route and get a new spare from another vendor. The problem persisted for a couple of days before I could diagnose and fix it,...

andrewclaus

Welp, the first of the new coils failed this morning after 1,060 miles. It started missing shortly after I left the house and threw a CEL so I turned back and checked and sure enough Cyl 1 coil failure. Fortunately I hadn't taken the trash from the garage out and was able to dig the old ones out an...

andrewclaus

I just checked on the Toyota parts website and there's only on O-ring listed.

andrewclaus

Try biting into the nut with a small cold chisel and hammer, in a counter-clockwise direction. A punch or flat screwdriver might work too. Drop a little penetrating oil in there first.

andrewclaus

I've been driving old Subarus for a while because they're easy to find with a manual transmission. Most of my driving is in the Rocky Mt foothills and a manual makes that a little more fun and efficient. I never drive in stop-and-go traffic. I didn't realize it was age-dependent, but I did see a Jee...

andrewclaus

You may need to go to a real locksmith. When I got spares made for my used Vibe, they scanned the key for electronics and found none. So that technology exists. If you seldom use the key in the door (my wife uses the Vibe's fob all the time, I do not), the key may wear down in the ignition lock and ...

andrewclaus

Your auto parts store sells trim tape, which should be used along with new clips.

andrewclaus

If you damage something by overfilling the tank (charcoal cannister, for example) you'll get a different code. Stalling and rough running and idle are symptoms of MAF sensor problems. Continued operation with a faulty sensor may also damage the catalytic converter, so I wouldn't do that. A quick loo...

andrewclaus

...to digress, how bad's the wildfire smoke out there in Golden? I was out near there several times this summer, some days it was pretty bad. The smoke from CA and OR got pretty bad the last two weeks. It's better this week, but there's more coming in. Your tips on the compressor operation make sen...

andrewclaus

Something similar happened in my '98 Subaru. The problem there was a section of hose line between the master and clutch. It would get soft when the engine was hot. It worked fine when it was cold.

andrewclaus

Glad that helps a little, but that's as far as I can go. I've never had to, or wanted to work on a compressor. Good luck with it. The weather where we live is temperate and arid enough that it's optional, so if it breaks that far I'll just let it go. Our house doesn't have A/C. And we're old enough ...

andrewclaus

My most recent experience was a leaf in the blower motor and you already checked that. First I would try to pinpoint the source of the noise with a mechanic's stethoscope. You do know that the A/C comes on for defrost mode in winter, right? In this car, it's for both modes that put air on the windsh...

andrewclaus

First, a fully charged battery should read 12.8 V. 11.8 is fully discharged. 12 V, assuming your meter is calibrated, is pretty close to discharged. How old is the battery? A car with a failed battery is often hard to jump start, and it will not be charged by a new alternator. I don't follow why you...

andrewclaus

Since refrigerant oil hasn't circulated in years, seals may be dried out on some expensive parts, but hopefully not. Just getting it going shouldn't damage anything, except for loss of refrigerant if there's a leak. The pressure switch is a monitoring device to keep it from killing itself. The therm...

andrewclaus

It's mainly a road trip car, 1000 to 2000 mile trips, a few times a year. We pack camping stuff, a cooler, two bikes and a small dog. Our previous car was a Gen II Prius. The Vibe is an ideal replacement, and we get over 40 mpg on rural highways.

andrewclaus

Based on very limited experience with another old car, I'd try this: Pull the relay and check the coil terminals in the socket for voltage (ignition on, A/C switch on, blower on). If there's voltage, bench test the relay, or swap for another if there is one. If the relay doesn't have voltage to the ...

andrewclaus

That sounds like my car--$3300 four years ago, 149K miles, cosmetic problems and minor damage, easily fixed. New radio too. Been working fantastic ever since, perfect body style for us.

The biggest jobs I've done on it in 40K miles are a front wheel bearing and new struts/shocks.

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