Search found 82 matches

by Thunderscreech
Fri May 15, 2015 7:03 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: Immobilized car, electrical problem
Replies: 0
Views: 2577

Immobilized car, electrical problem

Greetings! I sold my 2003 Vibe to a friend and she's having a problem that I encountered a couple years ago and thought I'd fixed. Here's the symptoms when it happens: The car can start, but very few circuits inside the cabin power on. The radio and dash is dead, the car will not shift out of Park, ...
by Thunderscreech
Sun Feb 01, 2015 3:09 pm
Forum: Problems & Warranty Issues
Topic: Melted (not blown) alternator 100A fuse
Replies: 2
Views: 903

Melted (not blown) alternator 100A fuse

I've got a weird one with a theory is like to run by y'all. I've had to replace my 100 amp alternator fusible link a couple times burnout because the filament burned out; the whole thing got HOT and the plastic socket it mounts to melted and charred! I cleaned out the plastic, cleaned the bolts they...
by Thunderscreech
Sat Mar 08, 2014 5:03 pm
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: Ignition power under the hood
Replies: 5
Views: 1598

Re: Ignition power under the hood

From the silence and my failure to find inspiration under the hood since I posted this, I'm growing increasingly convinced that I'm going to need to tap a line in the cabin and run a cord out the grommit. If anyone has any other ideas, or even if I'm lost, wants to put an idea down for someone askin...
by Thunderscreech
Thu Mar 06, 2014 7:39 pm
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: Ignition power under the hood
Replies: 5
Views: 1598

Ignition power under the hood

I've got some light strips (the kind with a bunch of tiny LEDs) that I want to outline my headlights with, but I'm having trouble figuring out how to power them. Full time power is out, obviously, and simply wiring them to parasite off the headlamps doesn't work for me because I'd like them to be on...
by Thunderscreech
Tue Nov 22, 2011 10:29 pm
Forum: Maintenance Bay
Topic: VSV/Vacuum Switching Valve - Impact of not being connected?
Replies: 6
Views: 2488

Haven't re-attached it, need to figure out how. The plastic piece at the VCV is broken, so I'll need to glue or bond them in some other way. That's why I was hoping to find out if anyone knew how important it was. Thanks!
by Thunderscreech
Tue Nov 22, 2011 5:12 am
Forum: Maintenance Bay
Topic: VSV/Vacuum Switching Valve - Impact of not being connected?
Replies: 6
Views: 2488

Re: VSV/Vacuum Switching Valve - Impact of not being connected? (Thunderscreech)

I seem to be having bad luck w/ my technical inquiries here.
by Thunderscreech
Tue Nov 01, 2011 3:28 am
Forum: Maintenance Bay
Topic: VSV/Vacuum Switching Valve - Impact of not being connected?
Replies: 6
Views: 2488

VSV/Vacuum Switching Valve - Impact of not being connected?

While replacing my air filter, I noticed that the VSV that attaches to the top section of my air box was no longer connected because the plastic fitting where the little hose attaches had broken off. I'll see if I can glue it back on ($50ish to replace seems high when there's no noticeable side effe...
by Thunderscreech
Thu Oct 13, 2011 5:09 am
Forum: Maintenance Bay
Topic: AC is acting strange, sometimes comes on
Replies: 1
Views: 625

Re: AC is acting strange, sometimes comes on (whoamonga)

Heck yes, debugging my issue I offer the following:1. Turn on A/C2. Open the hood and look at the A/C Compressor. The pulley that drives it (via belt) has an end cap that should be spinning. If the end cap isn't spinning, your A/C clutch isn't engaging (and the compressor then stays off).IF this tur...
by Thunderscreech
Sat Oct 01, 2011 1:00 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: Question about ipod placement
Replies: 8
Views: 1543

Another thing to consider if you end up unsatisfied with wherever you route your cable: skipping the physical tie-in and using bluetooth audio.I use A2DP to get audio from my iPhone to my stereo and the only thing I have to worry about is charging. I've got mine set up on a window suction-cup on the...
by Thunderscreech
Mon Sep 26, 2011 9:13 am
Forum: Humor
Topic: Ultimate Vibe Horn
Replies: 17
Views: 8404

Update, I picked up a Grover 24" chrome horn with a 6" bell. When I hooked it up to my shop air, it bellowed like a ship horn.That's soooo going on, I'll document how I do it.
by Thunderscreech
Sat Sep 24, 2011 2:44 am
Forum: Humor
Topic: Ultimate Vibe Horn
Replies: 17
Views: 8404

Re: (SeattleJeremy)

Neat! I'll check it out when comes out, looks like theyre at 97 right now.
by Thunderscreech
Fri Sep 23, 2011 2:19 am
Forum: Humor
Topic: Ultimate Vibe Horn
Replies: 17
Views: 8404

Re: (Herb)

Heh, that was me too. An oil change guy was trying to enter my car, and his verbal gymnastics to avoid saying 'Evil' were excellent. He was trying pronunciations that rhymed with 'Deville', 'defile', and so on before I let him know.
by Thunderscreech
Thu Sep 22, 2011 10:20 am
Forum: Maintenance Bay
Topic: A/C problem - Clutch not engaging on compressor
Replies: 3
Views: 1184

Ok, shop checked it out and offered the diagnosis that the A/C clutch has failed. They then quoted me $900 to fix it, probably more now to cover the line of burnt rubber I left in their parking lot scooting out of there. Nice folks, but that's just a little bit too much. Their price included:- A pre...
by Thunderscreech
Tue Sep 20, 2011 7:05 am
Forum: Maintenance Bay
Topic: A/C problem - Clutch not engaging on compressor
Replies: 3
Views: 1184

Re: A/C problem - Clutch not engaging on compressor (djkeev)

2003 2WD automatic w/ the 1.8L 16v straight 4.
by Thunderscreech
Tue Sep 20, 2011 2:42 am
Forum: Maintenance Bay
Topic: A/C problem - Clutch not engaging on compressor
Replies: 3
Views: 1184

A/C problem - Clutch not engaging on compressor

A few days ago, my A/C suddenly stopped working. No gradual dropoff, it just produced uncooled air when I started my car and hasn't recovered. Things I have done:1. Checked fuse under dash (which was holy hell to get at) and it's fine. I verified that removing it makes the A/C switch no longer illum...
by Thunderscreech
Tue Sep 20, 2011 2:35 am
Forum: Humor
Topic: Ultimate Vibe Horn
Replies: 17
Views: 8404

I know, right?! BTW, I found another air horn this weekend and am running out of mount spots under the hood. I think I'll be using the firewall for this next one, hope it doesn't melt!
by Thunderscreech
Mon Sep 19, 2011 1:34 pm
Forum: Humor
Topic: Ultimate Vibe Horn
Replies: 17
Views: 8404

Re: (KITT222)

I've been here for ages, I just lurk, heh. The curl above the headlight _is_ intentional. I put carlashes on my wife's car and had to trim one off each end. On my vibe, the single 'lash' is very low key and gets conversations going. First step for picking up the gals, you know! :D
by Thunderscreech
Mon Sep 19, 2011 1:16 pm
Forum: Humor
Topic: Ultimate Vibe Horn
Replies: 17
Views: 8404

BTW, just posted a followup video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnOUtklx9ps
by Thunderscreech
Mon Sep 19, 2011 6:05 am
Forum: Humor
Topic: Ultimate Vibe Horn
Replies: 17
Views: 8404

Hey guys, that's me! Haven't posted in a while and I never thought my little Youtube video would take off like that, hence the super scruffy appearance and whatnot.Yeppers, it's my 2003 Vibe. I picked up a couple more horns this weekend (the Oooga and some old single-tone locomotive horn thing at a ...
by Thunderscreech
Mon Jul 26, 2010 5:58 am
Forum: Exterior
Topic: Side panels on outside of doors
Replies: 16
Views: 3873

Re: (epcIII)

Quote, originally posted by epcIII »Looks nice!Also, kinda curious about the zip ties on the license plate frame?Thanks! Regarding the zip-ties, my six year old did that a few weeks ago to 'help'. I've left them for his amusement. :D
by Thunderscreech
Mon Jul 26, 2010 5:57 am
Forum: Exterior
Topic: Side panels on outside of doors
Replies: 16
Views: 3873

Re: (A Psycho Martyr)

Quote, originally posted by A Psycho Martyr »So you're just going around painting the all the trim?Correct, I painted it with a textured 'sandpaper' utility coat, both to give it a two-tone look I wanted and to give it a little light armor.The problem was, I foolishly removed the side-cladding to p...
by Thunderscreech
Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:26 am
Forum: Exterior
Topic: Side panels on outside of doors
Replies: 16
Views: 3873

Re: (A Psycho Martyr)

FINALLY fixed it. Drove around months without side panels because I just couldn't figure out how to get the clips out without breaking them. Finally, I said "screw it" and user a fork to pry them out. $10 later, I had them back in using replacement trim clips from a car store. Got my two-t...
by Thunderscreech
Sun Jun 27, 2010 11:37 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: Cheap air horn install - Harbor Freight
Replies: 16
Views: 9040

Looks good! How's it sound? Got a recording?
by Thunderscreech
Mon Jun 21, 2010 2:45 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: More cameras
Replies: 5
Views: 1259

Thanks! Yeah, as I mentioned in my post, I've already got a backup camera, so I'm looking for three clever locations for additional cameras (total # of cameras=4). The cameras are cheap at $10, maybe I should put on on a pole to give me a third-person view of my car. :D
by Thunderscreech
Sun Jun 20, 2010 10:17 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: More cameras
Replies: 5
Views: 1259

More cameras

I like the backup camera on my Vibe, so I'm going to add some more. The head unit I have has an aux video-in line that's just begging to be used, so I ordered a three-source video switch and some small cameras. I'm working out places to mount them and looking for ideas. Here are some that I have so ...
by Thunderscreech
Thu May 27, 2010 6:09 am
Forum: Pontiac, GM SPO, & TRD Accessories
Topic: Valley hitch
Replies: 2
Views: 3331

Valley hitch

Just installed the Valley hitch, wanted to show a couple pics for others who might be considering it. Went on easily, looks good on my non-GT Vibe. The only complication, it has The Rattle. My stock exhaust butts up against it, I'll be doing the usual workaround w/ radiator hose material.No action i...
by Thunderscreech
Fri Apr 30, 2010 12:51 pm
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: Getting doors to lock while open
Replies: 10
Views: 2816

Getting doors to lock while open

Love my 2003 Vibe, but one thing is annoying. The doors won't lock via the fob while open. All my previous cars would do this, and anyone who's a parent or has had to carry a full load of groceries in (and had no free hands) has probably had problems with this feature.Is there a setting I can overri...
by Thunderscreech
Thu Apr 08, 2010 6:02 am
Forum: Exterior
Topic: Side panels on outside of doors
Replies: 16
Views: 3873

Re: (jayman2009)

Ah! Thanks, I hadn't thought of that. I'll give it a go!Next post: "How do I fix my busted internal panels?" :D
by Thunderscreech
Thu Apr 08, 2010 2:15 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: Installed reverse camera
Replies: 8
Views: 4349

Re: (ou.grizzly)

Quote, originally posted by ou.grizzly »Is that camera paintable?I could probably paint it, but I'm probably not going to. BTW, here's where I got it:http://www.chinavasion.com/pro...-lens/
by Thunderscreech
Thu Apr 08, 2010 12:28 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: Installed reverse camera
Replies: 8
Views: 4349

Re: (midnighthunder89)

Here are some pics I took during install, I'll follow up in a little with shots from inside post-install:
by Thunderscreech
Wed Apr 07, 2010 1:03 pm
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: Installed reverse camera
Replies: 8
Views: 4349

It's a 120 degree field of vision, so not bad! I'll post pics as soon as I get a chance.
by Thunderscreech
Wed Apr 07, 2010 9:21 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: Installed reverse camera
Replies: 8
Views: 4349

Installed reverse camera

Hi guys,I installed a reverse camera and wanted to describe my steps in case anyone else wanted to do the same.I mounted it above the 'P O N T I A C' plastic piece on the hatch that contains the hatch latch. I drilled three holes (two for mounting, one for cable) and bolted it in firmly with a littl...
by Thunderscreech
Sun Apr 04, 2010 11:03 pm
Forum: Exterior
Topic: Side panels on outside of doors
Replies: 16
Views: 3873

Re: (A Psycho Martyr)

So, no tips on how to avoid breaking them, just assurances that I'll learn AFTER I bust 'em? You're killing me here, guys!Alright, I guess I'm going in blind.
by Thunderscreech
Mon Mar 29, 2010 3:13 am
Forum: Exterior
Topic: Side panels on outside of doors
Replies: 16
Views: 3873

Re: (ramenboy...)

This thread is not about paint, it is about how to remove those side panels! Is there a trick to avoiding accidental breakage of the clips?
by Thunderscreech
Sat Mar 27, 2010 11:31 am
Forum: Exterior
Topic: Side panels on outside of doors
Replies: 16
Views: 3873

Side panels on outside of doors

What's the procedure for removing the lower panels on the outside of the doors? It looks (on my 2003) like there's a line of adhesive on the top and a series some sort of square clips holding it on (peeled up a corner to see this).If I heat the adhesive and pull on this, will it pop out without dama...
by Thunderscreech
Mon Mar 01, 2010 8:49 pm
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: Installed! Kenwood DNX6140 with backup camera!
Replies: 17
Views: 12348

Re: Installed! Kenwood DNX6140 with backup camera! (BiggieBoy)

Very cool, thanks for sharing! Was it tricky to run the wire for the camera from the door to the frame? Did you need to take the door off to get access?
by Thunderscreech
Fri Feb 26, 2010 5:21 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: Cheap air horn install - Harbor Freight
Replies: 16
Views: 9040

Re: (Thunderscreech)

Status update: I figured out a way to get the calliope horn to fire all three at the same time. I now have 7 air horns firing at once:http://hallert.net/images/airhorn4.mp3It is... loud.
by Thunderscreech
Thu Feb 25, 2010 10:10 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: Cheap air horn install - Harbor Freight
Replies: 16
Views: 9040

Heh, go for it! It's cheap fun.
by Thunderscreech
Thu Feb 25, 2010 2:28 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: Cheap air horn install - Harbor Freight
Replies: 16
Views: 9040

Re: (Thunderscreech)

Update! I added the following horn:http://www.harborfreight.com/c...40134It was (is?) on sale for $9.99, so I figured 'why not?' I wired it to a separate circuit from the calliope above and mounted it from the center cross-brace that's in front of the radiator, pointed downwards. It ended up soundin...
by Thunderscreech
Tue Feb 23, 2010 4:47 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: Cheap air horn install - Harbor Freight
Replies: 16
Views: 9040

Ha, nice! I've added more horns since my last message, looks like I'm doing something very similar to what you are except with various horn lengths so I can get a beefier train sound.
by Thunderscreech
Sat Feb 20, 2010 10:27 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: Cheap air horn install - Harbor Freight
Replies: 16
Views: 9040

Re: Cheap air horn install - Harbor Freight (Water boy)

haha, just came here to post the recording and found the above waiting for me. :DHere it is: http://hallert.net/images/airhorn1.mp3
by Thunderscreech
Sat Feb 20, 2010 6:10 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: Reverse camera mounting locations
Replies: 2
Views: 929

Reverse camera mounting locations

Searched, didn't find any threads on this yet, hope it isn't a dupe. I've got a reverse camera for my new head unit and I'm looking for the right place to mount it. I'm thinking of putting it just below the glass on the rear hatch. Above the rear spray nozzle would have been perfect, but my cam does...
by Thunderscreech
Thu Feb 18, 2010 12:52 pm
Forum: US - Northwest
Topic: Oregon vibe in tha house...
Replies: 38
Views: 32950

Eugene, OR here!
by Thunderscreech
Wed Feb 17, 2010 10:42 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: Cheap air horn install - Harbor Freight
Replies: 16
Views: 9040

Re: Cheap air horn install - Harbor Freight (star_deceiver)

Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver »Do they help the drive-thru line move faster? Or at least startle little old ladies?Good on the budget find!!! I'll find out! :DIt's more silly sounding than loud, btw. I'll record it tomorrow.
by Thunderscreech
Wed Feb 17, 2010 9:34 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: Cheap air horn install - Harbor Freight
Replies: 16
Views: 9040

Cheap air horn install - Harbor Freight

I picked up a cheap air horn from Harbor Freight. Usually $19.99, it was $9.99 so I figured "Why not?" I installed it over by the power steering reservoir:I wired a switch inside so I could sound both it and my normal horn:It's wired to a relay, btw, and I ran my wire through the firewall ...
by Thunderscreech
Wed Feb 03, 2010 5:17 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: Chinese 2 DIN GPS/Stereo
Replies: 4
Views: 950

I would agree that you 'get what you pay for', except that I've seen plenty of Alpine/Kenwood/etc decks that suggest it's quite possible to pay quite a bit without getting much at all. :DGetting maps for my area isn't the problem, I've found that there are programs like iGo that will work on this ju...
by Thunderscreech
Wed Feb 03, 2010 3:53 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: Chinese 2 DIN GPS/Stereo
Replies: 4
Views: 950

Re: Chinese 2 DIN GPS/Stereo (joatmon)

No idea how much a GPS application costs, I'll find out more when I work through that stuff. I asked about the DVB-T and they don't seem to have another model that subtracts it and cuts the cost, not as far as I know, but that's a good idea. I think this is sort of already the entry-level one (equip...
by Thunderscreech
Tue Feb 02, 2010 9:13 am
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: Chinese 2 DIN GPS/Stereo
Replies: 4
Views: 950

Chinese 2 DIN GPS/Stereo

Hey guys! I'm glad I didn't buy the Jensen unit I mentioned in the other thread, I just found this:http://www.armatexx.eu/consume....htmlLooks pretty intriguing, and there's a lot of people over on some forums that seem to really dig them. Anyone else here know about these? Seems like a wicked deal.
by Thunderscreech
Wed Jan 27, 2010 1:47 pm
Forum: Audio, Electronics, Electrical
Topic: Bulldog remote starter - Matrix T-Harness?
Replies: 5
Views: 13605

Re: (cthomasparr)

I haven't done it yet. There's no entry for the Vibe, that's why I thought the TOY4 might work since it's basically a Matrix, but $30 is $30, not sure I want to risk it. How big of a deal was it to just splice it in w/o a harness?
by Thunderscreech
Thu Dec 24, 2009 10:39 am
Forum: Humor
Topic: Happy "Life Day", as the wookies say
Replies: 2
Views: 1107

Re: Happy "Life Day", as the wookies say (lovemyraffe)

Heh heh, no prob. :D