GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

andrewclaus

That's not the CV joint, it's the strut shock absorber. It's probably best to replace the shock absorber, probably the whole strut assembly, rather than just the boot. Have a shop check them for a professional opinion. Strut replacement greatly improved the handling of my Vibe. It probably still had...

andrewclaus

I've never had to deal with it personally, but a GM dealer will be able to get the key code from the VIN. It'll be expensive, hundreds of dollars. My '07 thankfully doesn't have the feature. When I got dupes made, the key guy had to scan the original for a chip, the first time I've run into that. It...

andrewclaus

My '07 had 150K miles when I bought it five years ago, and it's been a great car. From my experience, expect new struts, maybe wheel bearings. The most money I've ever put into it was tires, but I do my own mechanic work. At some point, age might start counting as much as mileage, with rubber and pl...

andrewclaus

That engine knock might be a connecting rod bearing. Check out other videos, see what you think. The misfire code is initiated by the crankshaft position sensor. If it senses a variation in shaft speed by more than a percent or two, and it's in one position consistently, it'll put out the code. Sinc...

andrewclaus

Same thing happened to my air bag trim at the dealer. I got underneath it, probably through the glove box, not sure, and saw one of the plastic tabs was bent back past its elasticity point. I was able to rig a spring clamp to get it to hold again without interfering with the airbag.

andrewclaus

With the noise you describe, I wouldn't rule out a mechanical issue with a valve or piston. The cylinder misfire code doesn't care about the ignition--it's a mechanical sensor.

andrewclaus

Yes, it would be wise to replace the crush washer. But I'm lazy and only do it if I get a drip at rated torque. A drip or two doesn't matter where I park. Part No is 35178-30010 for my 2007.

I use this Toyota parts site: https://www.japan-parts.eu/toyota Plug in your year and characteristics.

andrewclaus

I just learned that WS came out in 2008. My Vibe is a 2007, so I haven't dealt with that. Your 2009 is probably WS then.

There's a similar mistake in the manual about engine coolant, something about GM coolant in a Toyota engine.

andrewclaus

My owners manual says to use only T-IV fluid, so I did that. By all means, do it. I bought mine with 150K miles on it, and suspect it had never been changed. I did three drain-and-fills over a summer and it looks clean and red now. Also never had a shift problem. Dropping the pan and changing the fi...

andrewclaus

Orient the picture using the locking tab, and the larger set of contacts along the "top" row. And when you unplug the connector to look at the contacts, everything will be mirror imaged. You'll also notice that the four connector bodies are slightly different--each has a different number o...

andrewclaus

I'd try what Joatman suggested first, try an RTV repair of the seal. You also have a point, that all the connectors may be accessible from the pan, with a route to pull the wire.

andrewclaus

My wiring diagram is for a 2003 Corolla, so I wouldn't trust part numbers. It shows a 6-terminal plug. But going by part name, look for the "O-ring for transmission wire," similar to this: https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem/toyota~ring~o~for~transmission~wire~90301-21009.html The SKU for ...

andrewclaus

It looks like the connector from the ECM to the transmission solenoids. Not a sensor, I think.

andrewclaus

From limited experience with Toyota engines, I've heard to leave the valves alone unless you get noise from them, or are tearing the head down for another problem. I've had issues pop up, maybe once a year, with suspension and exhaust. A front oil seal leak recently, oil leak at the tensioner O-ring...

andrewclaus

First check the fuse. If it blew, there may be a mechanical problem with the wiper linkage. If the fuse is intact, it's either the motor or the control circuit. You can test the latter with a meter by unplugging the connector at the motor, turn the wipers on, and test for voltage to ground at any of...

andrewclaus

All of what you describe really need hands-on diagnostics. Many things could be at fault. For instance, I fixed my cruise control by cleaning the switch on the steering wheel, but it took an hour with a meter to find that. A "leak in the engine" is too vague--what is leaking? Oil? Gasoline...

andrewclaus

That's a good list. While you're there, check the plugs, clean the MAF sensor, and clean the throttle body. The ATF is easy to change on this car since the pan has a drain plug. It's also pretty easy to drop the pan and change the filter. You're only going to get a fraction of the fluid out of the s...

andrewclaus

There are gasketed joints at the manifold and near the muffler. I just had a leak at the muffler flange, and found the flange itself was nearly rusted off. I had to replace a section of pipe to fix that joint. The dealer part would have cost over $1000, but I was able to find an aftermarket repair t...

andrewclaus

vibinout06 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 10, 2022 7:39 am Ok I understand now. Bummer, thanks for the tip man!

You're welcome, and welcome to the forum. Let us know how it works out.

andrewclaus

That sounds like a classic case of a thermostat stuck open. Coolant is always circulating in the radiator so when you get to highway speed you get too much cooling. Be careful removing the serpentine belt. Use a six-point 19 mm socket on the tensioner so you don't strip it. Then pull the generator a...

andrewclaus

I'd start by rotating the tires, for a couple of reasons--to more carefully check them for visible damage, and to see if the noise seems to move when the tires move.

andrewclaus

Take a look at this parts page for the Matrix. It shows the part number label for the harness should be near the engine room fuse block. The one number I could track down showed a retail cost of over $1600. If all you need to replace is the melted connector, you'll probably have to track down a GM p...

andrewclaus

I would concentrate on fuel delivery diagnostics--pump and injectors. For this car, you have to buy a kit to install a pressure gauge. I'd also pull the injectors and test them for flow and leakage. That's a lot of work. If I had to pay someone to do it, I'd have a problem doing that. It's also expe...

andrewclaus

I fixed a couple of items before a road trip to AZ. The car has 205K miles on it now. I found engine oil dripping all around the front of the engine and suspension below it. So I replaced the timing cover oil seal, but the harmonic balancer had a groove worn in it from the old seal. I tried sanding ...

andrewclaus

One tune-up item you haven't mentioned is cleaning the MAF sensor. Otherwise I'd start checking engine mechanical health--compression or bleed-down test. Did you fix the hard start issue? Did the timing chain tensioner solve the noise? I replaced mine for an oil leak, and the engine got a little qui...

andrewclaus

I just did this repair today. I tried the cheap ($40) electric impact wrench from Harbor Freight, but it didn't break the bolt loose. You need a better wrench than that. I had to use my chain wrench on the pulley and an 18" breaker bar, and that worked just fine. I liked getting the torque wren...

andrewclaus

I’ve done plugs and filter. Haven’t considered PCV, MAF as I don’t like to just replace parts. I have cleaned the throttle body as best I could with it on the engine. Are these fuel injectors easily cleaned? Just run a can of commercial fuel system cleaner through the gas tank. Don't replace the MA...

andrewclaus

Have you done basic tune-up stuff? Check plugs, air filter, PCV valve, clean injectors, MAF sensor and throttle body?

andrewclaus

Look in the owners manual (download one if yours is missing), and there should be a diagram on the cover of the fuse block. As mentioned above, it's in the under-dash fuse block.

andrewclaus

You left a lot of components charged up overnight, including the ignition coils and engine control system. If a fuse is blown, it may be because a component failed. Check downstream components before replacing fuses. Which fuse did you replace? Verify it didn't blow again right away. Did you check f...

andrewclaus

When you say you disconnected the bulbs in front, did you unplug them or disconnect the wiring harness? Bulbs don't short out, they blow out. The fuse blows either because of an overload or a direct short to ground, probably the latter. I have a diagram from a 2004 Corolla, similar but not identical...

andrewclaus

Welcome. If you have radio control buttons on the steering wheel, the problem is probably in the "clockspring" cable. It looks like you can get them for around $50. A DIYer who's comfortable working with the air bag can easily replace it. Be sure to use the VIN to order the correct part. T...

andrewclaus

Check for pending codes. Assuming the check engine light is normal.

Clean the MAF sensor, replace the air filter.

Run some injector cleaner.

Check fuel pump pressure.

Welcome to the forum and good luck with the problem.

andrewclaus

My sweet spot for a used car purchase is 10 years old and 150K miles. I always get ten more years out of a car like that. I'm almost five years into my '07 Vibe, and on track for five more easily. I wouldn't be looking for a Vibe if I had to replace it, maybe a ten year-old FWD RAV4. At some point, ...

andrewclaus

It would be a head gasket, not casket. The gasket separates coolant and oil from exhaust gases. A failure can show up in the oil, coolant, or exhaust. Hot exhaust gases leaking into the coolant can cause a spike on the temp gauge. Clean oil is not a sufficient test. Another easy test is a coolant pr...

andrewclaus

My manual says 59. The 103 spec is for the AWD connection to the rear suspension arm.

andrewclaus

Here's one on eBay for half cost, if available: https://www.ebay.com/itm/174407899419

andrewclaus

I'll guess you have a low resistance short circuit in the new starter, pulling hundreds of amps. There is no fusible link to the starter, so nothing will blow. But you will kill the battery voltage. You're probably boiling something in the battery, and it has extremely low voltage, just a few volts ...

andrewclaus

I've never had to fix a noise like that, but besides the various rubber bushings (sway bar, control arm, rear axle beam) it could be a ball joint. I don't know how well lubes will penetrate a rubber bushing. If you can reproduce the noise while it's parked, by bouncing or shaking it or turning the w...

andrewclaus

Check suspension and steering components like the lower control arms, ball joints, struts.

andrewclaus

Something hit the compressor and it can no long spin when the clutch engages. If so, you need a new compressor.

Have you lain down and looked underneath? There may be some other damage too that would be good to know about.

andrewclaus

Would it be possible to get a list of codes?

andrewclaus

I haven't heard that a check engine light will disable traction control. That doesn't sound right. With some malfunctions, such as low battery voltage, you'll get both lights on, but if the VSC light is not on, you're probably okay. The "not ready" messages just mean you haven't completed ...

andrewclaus

That ATF looks fine--it covers T-IV. I got mine to a nearly red color after just two drain and fills a year apart. Next time you might want to drop the pan, change the filter, and check the magnets. Dropping the pan is simple on this car with the drain plug. Count the bolts to make sure you get the ...

andrewclaus

I bought my Vibe from a private party. When I took the title to the DMV to get plates, the clerk said the title was a duplicate and the original hadn't been turned in, or something like that and I couldn't get plates. I contacted the seller, and to my surprise she took complete control and took care...

andrewclaus

I had a stuck tie rod end last year, untouched since '98. None of my brand name penetrants would get at it, MAPP torch neither. I was about to give up and looked on MeTube. A guy performed a decent series of torque tests on identically rusted bolts with the popular penetrants, in a plexiglass block ...

andrewclaus

The black particles are probably failing seals. You may want to look for a new master cylinder at least. For the rotors, first try some DOT3 brake fluid as a penetrant wherever you can reach. Then put a couple of lug nuts on loose so the thing doesn't fly off out onto your toes. Then try rapping wit...

andrewclaus

It may need new struts and possibly wheel bearings, and then an alignment. Check tie rod ends and control arm bushings too. Might as well plan on new brake rotors and shoes. I had to do all that when I got my Vibe. Parts cost me less than $300. I had a shop do the alignment and bearing press.

andrewclaus

If tie rods are worn, you'll have poor steering control for a while, then complete loss of steering control if one breaks. And they're a critical component in the front end alignment, which should be done after strut replacement. If tie rods are worn, accurate alignment is impossible. The tie rods a...

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.

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