GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Chiadog

I haven't done it to a Vibe, but I've done several compressor swaps on other vehicles and I found it to be very easy and straightforward! AC Shop evacuates system - you do the swap - AC Shop adds the correct AC oil (if necessary) and charges the system, etc. No sweat.

Chiadog

I guess I should have said "time for that set of gauges" AND SOMEONE WHO KNOWS HOW TO USE THEM. Unfortunately, that's not Me! 60/160 sounds like bad blood pressure to me :lol: Consider idling the car in park with the heater "off" in order to observe cooling fan operation as it is...

Chiadog

I have a line on a used rear differential for $450, and I was thinking of buying it just in case. I was even thinking I might swap the viscous couplers to rectify my Vibe's AWD performance. Now I'm wondering what there is to be gained? Not much by the looks of it! I'd hang on to the $450. I was sho...

Chiadog

Thanks for the tip!

Chiadog

Good video showing Subaru's hill climbing ability vs the others.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX1VezHjzQ0#t=74.833439

Chiadog

Time for that set of AC gauges!

Sounds like it's cycling on low freon pressure.
As far as I know the cooling fan is only one speed, ON - OFF. Hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Chiadog

From memory, I think Ford and Toyota both use the planetary gear hybrid drive system, very complex but also the most efficient system. Both use a 12 volt car battery to start the engine. The Kia Niro uses a much simpler hybrid system which is technically less efficient in operation, but offsets the ...

Chiadog

Sounds like it!

Chiadog

Kia Nero has some pretty impressive technical specifications. Significantly, it does not have a 12 Volt car battery! I've always wondered why a hybrid needed an "extra" battery. http://www.greencarcongress.com/2016/02/20160212-kia.html If you are far from home and your hybrid bank goes to...

Chiadog

As far as the charge I just used one of those Freon cans with a gage for the low side. I dont have access to a manifold gage. Fan bearings ? Hmmmm.....that would definitely make sense :mrgreen: The freon can with gauge is fine, but it will only read correctly with the cooling fan and compressor run...

Chiadog

Sounds like a bad cooling fan drawing high amps. High pitched squeal could be bad cooling fan bearings. You are sure about the AC charge not being low?

Chiadog

Congrats! and thanks for the information. I think you'll be fine with impact wrenching the pulley bolt! Could you have pulled the seal by drilling a small hole in the metal seal face, screwing a small screw into this hole, and tugging out the seal?

Chiadog

Kia Nero has some pretty impressive technical specifications. Significantly, it does not have a 12 Volt car battery! I've always wondered why a hybrid needed an "extra" battery.
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2016/02 ... 2-kia.html

Chiadog

My sister's Elantra GT is an absolute baaaabe. Love that thing. The ride is confident but not rough, and the manual shifter is very precise. Can you compare/contrast it to your Vibe for utility, ride,road noise, handling, MPG's, etc? All better except maybe interior space for cargo, but that's to b...

Chiadog

It's the Gen1's incredible utility, simplicity and dependability that makes it hard to part with! You've got that right! And the harsh ride is the one thing that bothers me too. Harsh ride in a Vibe? Maybe because my last 2 vehicles were a 93 Geo Metro and a 78 Dodge B300 camper van. The Vibe feels...

Chiadog

lannvouivre wrote:My sister's Elantra GT is an absolute baaaabe. Love that thing. The ride is confident but not rough, and the manual shifter is very precise.

Can you compare/contrast it to your Vibe for utility, ride,road noise, handling, MPG's, etc?

Chiadog

It's the Gen1's incredible utility, simplicity and dependability that makes it hard to part with! You've got that right! And the harsh ride is the one thing that bothers me too. I would like to try a Hyundai Elantra GT or a Hyundai Elantra Touring. The Hyundai Elantra Touring is on my short-list! C...

Chiadog

chiadog: are you looking to get another car? Not really, but my 05 Base has seen better days so I can see that the time may be coming! As I get older, I am less and less satisfied with the Vibes harsh ride and alignment and wheel balance "sensitive" front end! It's the Gen1's incredible u...

Chiadog

According to cars.com/compare the Fiat 500L and Gen1 Vibe are nearly identical! With the Fiat being 5" shorter, 3" taller, and equal width! MPG's are the same and the Fiat's passenger space and luggage space are a little bit larger than the Vibe. Not sure how that translates to utility in ...

Chiadog

Not a lot of love for the Fiat, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if I were in the market for a new car. The Fiat 128SL I owned was dependable and a blast to drive! I'd still like to hear some driving impressions, if anyone has experience with the Fiat 500L.

Chiadog

Kia's new Niro Hybrid appears to be a near perfect VIBE Clone!

http://www.automoblog.net/2016/02/24/fi ... ro-hybrid/

Chiadog

Glad I'm not the Guy who bought one of these in the last month or so! According to CarGurus, a kenosha Wisconsin Fiat dealer appears to be having a fire sale on their inventory of 2015 Fiat 500l CUV's! https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=OIP.M9ed8c57b940feb5d87e9aa1ee4ae1a2dH0&w=300&h=225&am...

Chiadog

I had a similar rear alignment problem on My 05 Base when I bought it used. Easily repaired/adjusted with a rear camber kit! http://www.amazon.com/Moog-K100143-MOOG-Camber-Shim/dp/B00Q0CTT2M/ref=au_as_r?_encoding=UTF8&Make=Pontiac|52&Model=Vibe|612&Year=2005|2005&ie=UTF8&n=156841...

Chiadog

OUCH! Sometimes being "the first kid on the block" isn't good!

Chiadog

Sounds similar to a problem I had with the blower motor on my 05 base Vibe. Apparently one or both of the blower motor brushes was hanging-up, producing intermittent motor operation. I sprayed the brushes with WD-40 three years ago, and have had no failures since! See thread: http://forums.genvibe.c...

Chiadog

Nice review of the 2016 Mazda CX-3 AWD in yesterday's Wall Street Journal. Interesting! PBS MotorWeek recently did a segment on the CX-3 which wasn't too flattering. They cited noisy operation and severe lack of utility as negatives. They did, however, say the interior materials were best in class....

Chiadog

Cruze hatch, meanwhile, is an attractive and useful car. I got to sit in it at the Detroit Auto Show. Three-prong outlet for the back, USB ports up front and for the rear, heated rear seats... All good things. I'm glad to hear the Cruze hatch looks good in-person! The picture looks like GM stole Fo...

Chiadog

Oh Bummer! Even though the rear-end of the Euro civic is a mess design-wise, I still much prefer it to the US Civic Hatch. I can hardly even call the US rendition a "Hatch", more of a 4-door sedan with a longer trunk lid! Such a shame, the Civic was due for a GREAT Redesign! My last hope f...

Chiadog

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj555/ccindyz/Open%20to%20ALL%20PUBLIC/2016_civic_sport%20hatch%20front_zpslepjumkd.jpg http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj555/ccindyz/Open%20to%20ALL%20PUBLIC/2016%20civic_sport%20hatch_zpsumv7abqy.jpg http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/g6191/this-is-the-eu...

Chiadog

Almost had a mishap, while resetting the tensioner the catch pin fell out :? ..... Worth checking the part before reinstalling the tensioner. WOW, Close call! Do you suggest just "wiggling" the catch pin to insure it is more than finger tight? Nice repair, gives new meaning to the term &q...

Chiadog

Looks great! Cutting edge design. I think they will sell a bunch of these! Looks even better than my 2005 Uplander.

Chiadog

[URL=http://s1267.photobucket.com/user/ccindyz/media/Open%20to%20ALL%20PUBLIC/2017-chevrolet-cruze-hatchback-front-side-view_zpsjqhdbjnv.jpg.html][img]http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj555/ccindyz/Open%20to%20ALL%20PUBLIC/2017-chevrolet-cruze-hatchback-front-side-view_zpsjqhdbjnv.jpg[/img] [/ur...

Chiadog

THANKS!

Chiadog

(2X). Replaced my tensioner last year without using RVT .... Started leaking again about 6 months later!

Chiadog

I'm still not convinced that those pads are the correct size for the drivers side caliper. Can you go back to the parts store and check the old pads against a DIFFERENT supplier's pads? Are the pads this sloppy on the passenger side also? Wrong caliper on the drivers side?

Chiadog

Just my 2 cents, but I don't think it's the shims! looks like your problem is you have the wrong pads! Pads appear to be too small for the calipers, I have never seen pads that loose. Match the pads up to your old pads and don't drive the car this way! Good luck

Chiadog

http://www.offleaseonly.com/

Chiadog

Chevy Trax Third in Nov. 2015 "Tall hatch/Small crossover" sales!
http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2015/12/us ... 5-ytd.html

Chiadog

Interesting! I received the same letter for My 2005 Vibe base in July 2015. I haven't heard anything further from GM. Thanks for the info!

Chiadog

Since money is tight, you may consider pricing the part at a junkyard as well. Good Luck!

Chiadog

Thanks SirLinux, Sorry for the delay, just noticed this!

Chiadog

THANKS GUYS! Great sleuthing! I had been unable to find this on the site. I believe the part is part # 88970814.
Of course, it is the more expensive one ($46). I will try to find a good one at the junkyard - wish me luck, and thanks again for help!
chiadog

Chiadog

Which part in that picture are asking about? bumper.jpg Thanks joatmon, that makes things clearer! The part I am asking about is part "B". It appears to be pushed about 1" into the front frame rail, which is part "C". And thanks everyone for the good ideas and the website l...

Chiadog

Congrats' on your new ride! You're in the right place, here!
Pic's, miles, why a Vibe, etc. location, location, location...

Chiadog

Looks pretty good!

Chiadog

bump, C'mon, throw a dog a bone!

Chiadog

Could be you are actually going less distance. If wheel diameter and aspect ratio are the same, the tire diameter of the 195 is probably about 1.5" less than the 235.
http://www.csgnetwork.com/speedocalibcalc.html

Chiadog

try searching for a fan here!
http://www.partshotlines.com/

Chiadog

Consider bringing the car to a shop that will diagnose the problem for free and give you a repair cost estimate - Then you will know what to replace.

Chiadog

Consider finding compatible 15" rims on craigslist and saving about 25% every time you buy new tires, plus much smoother ride as a bonus! Tirerack, etc. also sell tire/wheel packages, ready to use.

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