GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

03 xr 5sp.Car wouldn't start and is stuck at the PO, need to go back tomorrow and check the usual stuff (battery, cables, etc). However, tried to jump start it and got not even a solenoid click, so I'm thinking its the starter relay.It's supposed to be in a block under the left side of the dash, but looks impossible to get it out without removing the whole dang dash. Someone please tell me I'm wrong. How do you remove the starter relay? It can't be that hard!!!Thanks

Well, since no one else replied, I managed to figure it out myself. Of course you need to take out the small flip out storage tray. However, it doesn't give you enough room to see/identify relays, let alone reach them. But if you remove the fascia just above that (the one holding the left side vent cover), you then have a nice view of things and can at least reach in and yank the relay (you'll need the wiring diagram showing its placement since you still can't really see too clearly).Anyway, it was relatively easy to pull, though it turns out the starter solenoid was the real problem in my case.

Glad you were able to figure it out yourself. I havent seen a post for a starter relay on this forum yet & im sure this will help other members ! I tried getting to the starter relay last year & it was difficult to reach. Didnt think to remove the panel that holds the vent.Turned out to be my starter anyway....just as you.

Where did you locate the starter solenoid? I am having same trouble with my car - it will not crank. We have already replaced the starter relay and that fixed the problem for about 2 days. Now we are at the same issue and I cannot think it would be the relay again. We have had the starter checked and it is fine. I am thinking the solenoid or starter switch. If you can help me out, I would greatly appreciate it. CAP

Quote, originally posted by tiiguy »(you'll need the wiring diagram showing its placement since you still can't really see too clearly)if anyone is looking for it, tribalman posted a diagram in http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=39007 that highlights the starter relay location (on the top side of the under dash fuse block)Quote, originally posted by ThunderScout »Where did you locate the starter solenoid? I am having same trouble with my car - it will not crank. We have already replaced the starter relay and that fixed the problem for about 2 days. Now we are at the same issue and I cannot think it would be the relay again. We have had the starter checked and it is fine. I am thinking the solenoid or starter switch. If you can help me out, I would greatly appreciate it. CAPwelcome to genvibe. what year Vibe do you have, and is is a manual or auto trannsmission model? Does the car make any sound when you turn the key to the start position?The starter solenoid is attached to the starter motor. If you were to buy a replacement starter, it would come with a solenoid attached, but it looks like you can buy a replacement solenoid without having to buy a whole new starter. Here's a pic of a 2003 Vibe starter, probably the same exact part number for 2003-2008, not sure about 2009-2010 vibes, but they should all look/behave the same. When the starter relay applies power, the starter solenoid kicks a gear on the starter motor to where it engages with the gear teeth on the outside of the flywheel, then the starter motor spins, and it turns the engine over. When the starter relay cuts power, the solenoid pulls the gear back away from the flywheel and power is cut to the starter motor. I can't remember if the power is applied to the starter motor only when the solenoid is engaged, seems like that would make sense to keep the starter from spinning before it's gear meshed with the flywheel.My '03 vibe has a manual transmission, so far the only problem I ever had getting the starter to kick in was because of having to really mash the clutch pedal to the floor to hit to hit clutch-to-start switch.

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