C’mon guys & gals. The majority here are armchair mechanics who haven’t done any of the mods or repairs in this forum. I’ve done many--over 60yrs. I spent my career working on Benz-BMW-Volvo-VW. My beloved little 2002 BMW’s (many) all suffered from weak rear (drum) braking—and they weighed avera...

Hello all, Cold here in NYC, saving up parts like a squirrel for the weather to break, then back to the DIY projects. We work on the street here in NYC. I'm doing the rear brakes on the '06 Vibe. Most parts look very old & well-worn. Drums are unbelievably bad--189K mi, could be orig? Wheel cyli...

Thank you. I suspected a decoupler pulley might be like the 5th toe on a dog. Just wondering, as later Matrix had 'em.

RE: 2006 Vibe, 187K mi. Retrofit decoupler pulley. My car doesn’t have one. Maybe I’m searching wrong keywords??? I can’t believe this topic hasn’t been covered? Apologies if it already has -- pls point me in the right direction. I’m replacing OE 18yr old alternator soon, as I get odd voltage drops ...

I need new cable ends, so better get two fresh thicker cables made up, instead o' just new ends at the battery. My new slightly taller battery also makes for a stretch on this weary 18yr old positive cable--can't get a solid hold on the post. Anyone know the length of ea +/- battery cable? I'd like ...

Thank you!!!

I was prysing the DRL plug outward. Pushing the plug inward twd the plug 'block' and out it came.

*%$##* Now over 3hs, 2 attempts, skinned knuckles & arms. To simply cut #12 wire to disable DRL. Cannot remove / pry headlight relay plug-block from relay. I even unscrewed relay from mounting point. More access but no luck. Evidently, there are clips that hold the plug in. Where are they? Any c...

Ha! LOL: Success! What I learned: you can't have more than one key transponder present in the car--or within range of the car--when programming the transponder. They cancel out | confuse ea other. Going thru the 14-step procedure must be done 1-transponder-at-a-time. If you keep the second... or thi...

Trying to program two key transponders for 2006 Vibe. I’ve looked thru previous GenVibe posts, but can’t find info to resolve this? I go thru 14-step procedure, and each one results in a working transponder. But I can’t seem to program BOTH of them. In my case the second one. Instructions say “Repea...

The VVT rattle sound persisted only first week or so during cold startup--followed by very short drives (NYC, we don't drive a lot). 2nd day, I had someone else start the car--while I lowered my head to the head, to confirm it was the VVT. And it was. Rattle lasted about 30sec to 1min, then stopped....

Replaced my 2006 Vibe OE VVT solenoid today. Nothing wrong. Just simple Every-18yr-Preventative-Maintenance . After 186K mi, VVT was functional. I know it was orig, as 1st owner’s 16pg CarFax included much more than fastidious oil changes! VVT wasn’t on his list. But after much research, it seems al...

Replaced my 2006 Vibe OE VVT solenoid today. Nothing wrong. Just simple every-18yr-preventative-maintenance. After 186K miles. VVT was functional. I know it was original, as 1st owner’s 16pg CarFax included much more than fastidious oil changes. A VVT wasn’t on his list. But after much research, it...

I am a victim--as I'm sure many others are--of Mobil's marketing this special "High-Mileage" synthetic oil to people who's cars don't need it. I'm sure there are many 20yr old junkers out there whose' motors once took 5W-30 and now might actually benefit from a thicker synthetic brew. But ...

Stupid me. Do not do this. After flushing the engine of my newly acquired 184K mi, one-owner 2006 Vibe (Moon & Tunes), with LiquiMoly, I proceeded to run 4qts of ‘cheap’ 5W-20 Synthetic (on sale NAPA), to flush out the flush. After a few days driving with the ‘cheap’ flushing oil, I drained it,...

Removed 4 AUTOLITE XP #3924 Iridium plugs from the 2006 Vibe today. I’m 2nd owner. First owner: 183K miles. Me: 1.5K miles. It just didn’t run, idle or accelerate smoothly. At first I thought it was the belt tensioner, but that was okay (have documentation new belt>2017). A tank of Shell Shell V-Pow...

Thank you! So, 2003-2008 Matrix pretty much part-for-part matches my '06 Vibe? How do I get a Toyota parts file, book, fiche--haha in the old days it was fiche..... I used to use my friend's' fiche reader for my '79 300D Benz..... Is there a GM Pontiac Vibe parts file, too?

Anyone know where I can get a rubber replacement accelerator pedal pad for my '06 Vibe? Mine has worn to what's become slippery plastic (used to be rubber, I think). I replaced the brake pedal pad, a great tactile improvement for the foot. But I can't even find the part# or the Matrix or Corolla equ...

Thanks! Looking at the rear struts, they look very tired--prev owner evidentially replaced front struts. You just talked me into doing the rear struts. Thanks. It's not uncommon for even shop mechanics to recommend front strut replacement -- and completely forget there's a set of itty-bitty struts b...

There's a guy on eBay who seems to specialize in OE roof rail/bars, for a variety of vehicles. Seems an interesting specialty niche. I snared a new-looking, notta scratch on em, set f/my '06 Vibe f/about $90 inclu shipping & tax. His store: https://www.ebay.com/usr/blind_squirrel_auto_parts Ther...

New here. Acquired '06 Vibe w/moon, tune & ABS -- but no alloy's -- from orig owner, purrrfct cond 184K w/a sheaf o' svc records.... my first Asian or American car. Pretty nifty; easy-to-work on, like the old Volvo's or VW's used to be. Question. What are the diameters of rear sway bars on the V...

I know this is an older thread, but here's my experience with "upgrading" brakes on many other cars over the years. 1. It's foolish to put larger calipers & discs without upgrading the Master Cylinder. Calipers & Master Cylinder are matched. Sure, you can do it, but you won't get t...

Hello, I'm a newbie -- my first Asian car, after decades working on Benz, BMW, VW & Volvo. I'm doing the suspension work on my newly acquired '06 Vibe. It looks like 2009-10 Vibes got a significant rear sway bar upgrade: 17.2mm to 29.97mm. Wow! If this is correct [I'm basing my info on MOOG: Rea...

Hello, I'm a newbie -- my first Asian car, after decades working on Benz, BMW, VW & Volvo. I'm doing the suspension work on my newly acquired '06 Vibe. It looks like 2009-10 Vibes got a significant rear sway bar upgrade: 17.2mm to 29.97mm. Wow! If this is correct, then I'm sure if I acquire a la...

Hello comrades. My first post here. I'm about to put an LED bulb into the Third Brake Light on my recently-acquired 2006 Vibe, and I noticed the 2009-2010 vibe has a much larger assembly--looks like 4 bulbs. Will that assembly bolt into my slightly older Vibe--without a lotta cutting & pasting? ...

Ugly Betty. 2004 Vibe Alloys (4), good to fair cond. Some flaking. Minimal curb rash. They are pretty clean. These were my snow rims. They've endured many New England winters, MA & CT. Sadly not needed, as the climate warms. I'm located in NYC. Pick up only. $100. Better than rusty steel rims. M...