GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Jbenrod

"...who unfortunately didn't follow up with the solution, so I'm throwing this out there and will update with any results. "

Don't be like that person. What did you end up doing - if anything?

Jbenrod

I don't have the 2nd Gen. Vibe but there have been many reports that aftermarket mounts can be hit or miss, and more often a miss. This appears to be especially true of the mount at the front of the engine, which is the one towards the RF fender area near the power steering fluid reserve. Perhaps al...

Jbenrod

I checked and it appeared to me that the 03-08 Vibe and 03-08 Matrix use the same window belt molding strip. For example, this would be right front: Belt Molding - Toyota (75710-01031) 2003-2008 Toyota Matrix - 757100103 Of course, each door location will have a different part #. I will note for oth...

Jbenrod

Either of the two OE thermostat's would be the best choice, however I would go with the Toyota one that you identified. Nevertheless, why are you wanting to replace the thermostat? Has the coolant been changed as recommended or was it neglected? My 2005 Vibe is at 237k miles now on the original ther...

Jbenrod

That is a lot of codes. Can you provide an update to what you may have learned or where you are at now with this issue?

Hopefully you will not have disappeared after your first post because that helps no one.

Jbenrod

I have wondered if the outboard grill insert(s) in the lower front bumper could be a contributing factor. These are often missing and that provides a direct air path to the backside of the fender liner which might move the liner closer to the tire at freeway speed? When the car is stopped the fender...

Jbenrod

Update: I ordered the White Knight brand and they seem to be fine. The size is the same as what was on our 2005 Vibe. I found this to be the same brand as being sold for more cost at a nearby Costco and AZ. The chrome looks good and only time will tell how they hold up. 15 of the 20 old lugs were s...

Jbenrod

The light malfunctions often . The small , light gray color, electrical part that the blub snaps into question=--- I wiggle the bulb and then it,s ok. Perhaps there,s some way to make the bulb sit firmly in it. Old post but I had similar reoccurring problem with that bulb failing to work so I will ...

Jbenrod

SSizler wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2024 5:34 pm I always enjoy how smooth the 1zz engine sounds with a new belt.

Really? I haven't heard or noticed that before. I have to order some parts soon so you have noticed a change after installing a new belt?

Jbenrod

Now I see the additional information here that I was looking for.... Yes that does point toward the alternator, however we've seen alternators last towards 300k miles too (I'm at 235k now). Therefore I'd get a volt meter and check the battery voltage at rest, and with the car running. You should se...

Jbenrod

I've always thought it is a Denso (but can't go check for you now).

Are you having problems with yours? What is your mileage? More info with your post may give you better responses.

Jbenrod

2005 (base) vibe , silver with the grey plastic cladding down low. ...The grey plastic looked great. The owner replied and told me he uses linseed oil with a little mineral spirits. I assume it,s mixed together. Anyone try that yet??? I also have heard that the linseed oil thinned a bit will help t...

Jbenrod

Update? Where are you at now with this problem?

It seems unusual for a water pump to have failed this early (you said you had replaced it a few years ago).

Jbenrod

I would not try a no-name tire like that unless you can find enough reviews that you can have some assurance it is not going to end up as China junk. You are in Canada too so I'd guess it's even more important. Spend the $20-30 more per tire for a known brand tire and save that money somewhere else.

Jbenrod

What did you learn about that exhaust noise - update?

Jbenrod

the airbag light being on, but I suspect it has something to do with the Toyota airbag recall, so we're waiting on our local GM dealer to call us back about it. My experience with GM dealerships and the airbag recall has been very poor. The airbag light has set a code that you should get read to se...

Jbenrod

I have two sets of Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring AS in service now and have been pleased with them. I will be considering them again when I need new tires on the Vibe in another 9 to 12 months. However the price has gone up 40% from when I last purchased them in August of 2021 so there may be others or...

Jbenrod

How about checking out the motor mounts. Start by looking at the rear one (that is near the firewall). I think you can see it best by removing the LF tire and looking at it from that direction.

Jbenrod

Great work and thanks for sharing. Have you noticed much wear on the timing chain guides (or tensioner arms). Always wondered considering the steel chain is running over the plastic surfaces. Did the chain look still look to be in good shape? I'm going to guess you are not the original owner of this...

Jbenrod

Why not give us a link (or the key words) so we can find it?

Jbenrod

I don't know where you can get just the clips. However, sometimes you have to admit something isn't correct and cut your loses as soon as possible. I think this is one of those times. I would box them all up and send them back and get a different set from RockAuto or locally. Yes it's frustrating th...

Jbenrod

... I also have a Launch CRP129 that I use. It will read most everything out there, not just Toyota. The strange thing with the Launch is that if I use it on the Vibe, I have to pick Toyota Matrix from the Launch menu . If I use GM and put in the proper VIN letter, the Launch scanner can not detect...

Jbenrod

My Vibe starts out on a 1200 mile road trip in the next week. In addition to the important tires that Caretaker mentioned, if one is doing the normal fluid changes and checks I say hit the road. Who knows what part may eventually show up as a problem. We cannot anticipate everything. Also most membe...

Jbenrod

Glad to here and that sounds reasonable too. Hopefully that will help you go a few more years. If it were me I would at least check with him and see what he thinks about using a thicker grade like 20 or 18 gauge. The incremental cost increase (for the material) may not be much to get the thicker and...

Jbenrod

Installing a complete knuckle hub and bearing unit all together and ready to bolt in always seemed to make sense to me for a DIY. How many miles are on your Vibe now that requires you to rebuild part of the front end? I see you mentioned you have already replaced the control arms. I've understood th...

Jbenrod

From what I've read, some believe to wait past 225k toward the 250k miles area to proactively replace working sensors and that is my plan for now. I have noted that one of the sensors (I think it was the upstream) was much more expensive than the other. Maybe replace that one first or the one that i...

Jbenrod

I wasn't totally clear on what all was involved in replacing the passenger side airbag in the 2003-2008 that is under the GM recall. Thanks to a Youtube video by tommy tarver, we no longer are at the mercy of some incompetent (or lying) "service writer / advisor" as I experienced and repor...

Jbenrod

I am pretty confident with this statement: ... the clearances on the "shim type" valve train on these DOHC engines actually shrinks with wear, rather than growing over time, due to the wear point being the valve seat rather than the surfaces of the shims or cam lobes. I too am surprised wi...

Jbenrod

Thanks for finishing out the thread. I would think with that much back pressure some sensor would be reporting in but don't know (I later see you had said no codes showing). I wonder if the condition was caused by a failing or weak O2 sensor (which would have been allowing a rich mixture and contrib...

Jbenrod

I think you know that is pretty advanced corrosion (rust) and will be expensive to repair. At the least you need to treat it now to slow the spread. You can spend some time reading up on the different options depending on how much you value your Vibe. I would recommend this product for something lik...

Jbenrod

I don't have sheet metal experience so can't offer much help but both of your options seem reasonable. For those of us with the plastic cladding along the rockers, is there any way to examine them without pulling the cladding? I've been afraid of pulling the cladding off because they may not fit tig...

Jbenrod

At least now you have confirmation you head gasket is not sealing. If you wish for it to be repaired, the head will have to come off in order to examine the gasket and surfaces further. At this point there are no bandages or solutions. The head has to come off or you get rid of the car and someone e...

Jbenrod

You need to figure out which engine you have. It's not that difficult and there may be a sticker on your hood that will tell you.

How many miles on this Vibe? Earlier alternator failures have not been a problem on these cars.

Jbenrod

I talked to a Buick dealership about 10 days ago and they still haven't gotten back with me like they said they were going to do. (Except for some salesman who called back within 2 minutes thinking I was inquiring about purchasing a new car :lol: ) Here is an update how it's gone for me. As you can...

Jbenrod

How about some updates on how has everyone been doing with getting this last airbag recall completed ? I talked to a Buick dealership about 10 days ago and they still haven't gotten back with me like they said they were going to do. (Except for some salesman who called back within 2 minutes thinking...

Jbenrod

Thanks for those links and comments. This will be a good resource.

Jbenrod

For a Gen 1. Does anyone know if I can find a wire that is in the dome light circuit inside of the driver's door? I want to connect to it and run down to the door bottom to add some LED lights that will go on and off the same as the dome light. (Or, maybe the door ajar circuit but anything that is t...

Jbenrod

From my notes. My last drain and refill of the transmission fluid I used about 3.25 quarts of Toyota Type IV. You do appear to have overfilled the transmission. It should not be difficult to loosen the drain plug and let a quart or so drip out. Note that the torque spec. is only 13 ft. lbs. on that ...

Jbenrod

Fwiw, the torque for the transmission drain plug is only 13 ft. lbs. (This is ~1/2 of what the oil drain plug is.)

I suspect that is why some are stripped that tranny plug.

Jbenrod

You say "The car has two bad motor mounts."

That probably is your problem.

Which two are bad? How do you know they are bad and is there some reason you are ignoring them?

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=46950

Jbenrod

It would be acceptable to me if it was my car.

Jbenrod

Im definitely late,but for anyone in the future that loses their grill, there is this wire sort of like chicken fence and its extremely easy to install in place of the plastic grills plus i find it looks way better than the plastic and probably cost 10$ at most. If you have a link of the wire or pi...

Jbenrod

I checked my notes and when I drained the Transmission Fluid, I replaced with ~3.3 quarts of Toyota Type IV which I believe is close to what it should be. Note that the Torque spec. is 13 ft.lbs for the tranny plug bolt - - which is much less than the oil plug bolt that is 26 ft. lbs. I like to stay...

Jbenrod

Top Tier fuel retailers use a higher level of detergent additives compared to other retailers who are using the minimum EPA required detergent additives in order to help prevent the buildup of engine deposits. In my market, Sam's Club gas prices are often 10cts/gallon less than other brands that are...

Jbenrod

You've told us about that extra cooling line but I haven't seen anything on why the engine is not running. Maybe start another thread and explain details of what is going on now - is the engine starting up at all but running ruff ? , what engine codes are showing up, etc. Report if you have checked ...

Jbenrod

I've spent a lot of time reviewing coolant formulations over the years and have elected to use the Zerex G05 in all of my vehicles for the past decade. It's a HOAT formula that I usually purchase in the month of October when NAPA stores often have it on sale at around $14 / gallon for the full stren...

Jbenrod

I still don't know how people are able to get that top screw out. I can reach up and feel it but since there is a cable or duct just to the left of it I can never get a tool or even just the socket in there to get on the screw head. Regardless, I wanted to report that switching the gear (180) with t...

Jbenrod

Alternators have not been a problem with these vehicles so my guess is the alternator is operating normal. I would not plan on replacing it unless you are certain there is a problem. Horn and cruise control will probably work again after you replace the clockspring (spiral cable). I think you will n...

Jbenrod

It should be a relatively simple job to replace this airbag as you can see in the video below. There should not be significant scratches on the console or dash. I took out my glove box before dropping the car off as that eliminates one step. It's also a good time to clean or replace the cabin filter...

Jbenrod

I found just some work to repair of the old headlight lens worked pretty good. These pictures are from a few weeks ago

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