quote:For those of you having problem with the squeaky sound in the instrument area of the Dash. I came up with a simple solution to the annoying problem. The problem is base on poor construction in order to save money. I pulled out the rings that cover the gauges, they just pull out easily. They are using clips to hold the part which is the problem on the first place. The part is to loose and that’s what makes the noise. I cut small peaces of self sticking foam robber that I buy at Home Depot like the one use to cushion down glasses on tables and also to prevent things from moving the come on green and black. I push it into the groove so as to work as a cushion or separator. I place one small piece on every corner and in the center. Then I push the panel back on and this time it fits snuggly unto the panel. You may need to push a bit harder this time depending on size of the spacers that you cut. Just make sure that pieces are small so that they don’t take to much space. Another help is to cove the pins that hold the panel down with electrical tape. This gives more strength to the pins and holds better. I’m very happy with the economical and fast solution to a big headache.Hope this helps some of you out!
I have another solution that fixed my squeaky sound coming from the gauges.As previously stated, pulling out the rings that cover the gauges is easy. They are all one piece (the rings) and are only clipped in at certain locations. Be gentle, yet firm when pulling and they will come out. Repeated removal of the cover will lead toward easier removal in the future.NOTE: You can click on the images below to enlarge to a nice and big photo! STEP 1Remove the rings that cover the gauges as stated above. See illustration below for the result after you remove the cover.This is the front of the cover removed:Click to Enlarge.STEP 2Flip the cover over and look at the area circled on the photo. This is where *my* particular squeak was coming from. This area is a slot that the lower part of the speedometer gauge inserts into that was rubbing plastic-on-plastic thus causing the squeak.This is the cover flipped over:Click to Enlarge.Here is an even more detailed image of the area in question. Note, it is circled.Click to Enlarge.STEP 3I took a 2-inch piece of black electrical tape and made it into a V-Shape down the middle and placed it in the slot (circled in photos) on the cover itself.I'm not sure if I am going to keep the tape there permanently, but you can use any other material you want in this step that works.You could also probably just tape up the actual protruding piece of plastic on the bottom of the speedometer gauge itself and accomplish the same results.As an added sense of squeak-free security, I also placed a small amount of electrical tape around the clips on the cover that lock the cover into the gauge console area. This may not be necessary, but better safe than sorry.When finished, place the cover firmly back onto the console area (make sure you guide the Tripometer button back into the hole on the cover or it won't go in!). You may have to push a little more firmly than normal to make sure all the pieces and clips are secure and locked into place.I hope this resolves some of these issues with the pictures and directions. As I did initially, experiment with placing pieces of rubber, tape, etc. into certain places and see if your symptoms disappear. If you find some other area that could use reinforcement or other cool pieces to stick in those areas, let us know!Let me know how this goes for anyone who tries.
Anyone with this problem try the solution I posted? I am curious if this resolves any issues besides mine.If not, I will research further into this matter.Thanks.
DUDE. Thanks so much for this post--mine was driving me crazy! I was thinking, ok, I'm gonna take it back to the dealership and they won't know what to do to fix the squeak. Then I saw your post and nearly flipped. Pulled the dial peice off and put electrical tape where you talked about and on the clips. Fits snug and not a squeek. If only all Vibe owners knew of this easy fix! Thanks!!
Thanks NSimkins! Yes it works! I taped up the tab the other day, so far so good... If you go to any of the Matrix sites it's funny to hear how they blame this problem on the fact the dash was designed by Pontiac. When I was looking at the Matrix (I know - what was I thinking?) back in March the dealer was very insistant that the dash was a "Toyota" design. Now that there's a problem, albeit a small one for an all new car, Toyota guys can't lay blame fast enough. Anyway - Thanks again for the tip. This type of dialogue is extremely useful. Keep up the good work. Base Satelite, 5spd., Power, Safety & Security
quote:When I was looking at the Matrix (I know - what was I thinking?) back in March the dealer was very insistant that the dash was a "Toyota" design. Now that there's a problem, albeit a small one for an all new car, Toyota guys can't lay blame fast enough.Yeah I understand what you mean. Every car manufacturer and vehicle has some sort of problem or annoyance that can either be easily fixed or takes time to remedy.People have to remember that mass-produced parts, vehicles, etc. aren't perfect and no matter who makes it, it can have problems.Glad I could help you out.
Hmm...I had heard from several sources that the interior design of the Vibe was actually Pontiac's doing. Now, obviously Toyota supplied the standard controls and such, because the power lock/window buttons and tilt wheel controls are certainly not of American design, but the design is purportedly Pontiac. Anyone know for sure?But of course the Toyota folks are gonna blame all the flaws they can on Pontiac's involvement with the project. It's the excuse that keeps on giving.
quote:But of course the Toyota folks are gonna blame all the flaws they can on Pontiac's involvement with the project. It's the excuse that keeps on giving. Exactly. So we are going to have to just keep finding the fixes to the problems we encounter and be happy with what we have, right?
So, lets see if I understand. Toyota is saying that Pontiac told us to build it bad, so we did! Thanks for the fix, I passed it on to a teacher in my daughter's school and so far so good. (As long as it lasts until see gets to 6th grade).
Since this thread seems to be about who is responsible for the instrument binnacle squeak, here's my 2 cents:I figure there are at least 7 points where a widespread dash squeak can slip through the cracks: (1) Interior stylist sets dashboard and trim shapes, binnacle shape, material (thin plastic), and whether any visible retainers are allowed (no screws please).(2) Interior parts bin engineer. BanditWS6 observed that many Vibe interior parts are identical to Toyota, so someone on the design team had to find and integrate as many existing proven parts to work with the basic Corolla platform and electrical systems. The binnacle and dash are unique to Vibe/Matrix, so a brand new part needed to be engineered. (We need it, like right now! We've got orders!) (3) Vibe/Matrix prototype component engineers design a unique Vibe part that meets the stylist's specs and survives standard durability tests without squeaking, rattling, cracking, or fading. (Well, 3 out of 4 ain't bad)(4) Production engineering issues a detailed spec for suppliers to follow, to ensure that production parts are both durable and cheap, and allow fast assembly in a production line environment. (here come those press-on clips!)(5) Part suppliers had to manufacture production parts that met specification and did not trigger a defective product return. (some clips undersized?)(6) Assembly line people had to assemble the binnacle without damaging the press on pins. (was that press-on or bang-on?)(7) Factory quality assurance people ensure that any significant quality problems that appear would result in a corrections before shipping, or at the dealer prior to delivery to the customer. (Oops)Finally, hats off to NSimkins and others who came up with fixes.. We are fortunate to have a forum with many motivated Vibe owners to keep our cars squeak free!
quote:Vibb, WOW.I second that! Vibb, do you have some sort of inside knowledge on how these things work, or should this be common sense? You definately know what you are talking about, and that makes alot of sense as it probably applies to anything mass produced in demand.
quote:Re: Vibb, do you have some sort of inside knowledge on how these things work, or should this be common sense?I try to read everything I can on both the technical and business side of the auto industry, and chose a Vibe in part due to NUMMI's reputation and the Vibe use of the new Corolla platform. NUMMI describes its quality assurance and production methods at http://www.nummi.com/manu_process.html. According to their processes, a squeaking problem should have been caught.btw, there is a product used by Toyota service depts. specifically for eliminating squeaks, '3M Squeak reduction tape: Part number 3M06356 Tape 5430: 1 inch x 3 yards. http://www.handsontools.com/store/show_ ... ct_id=4040
[Modified by vibb, 10:39 AM 7/29/2002]