2005 Vibe broke down - would not start after shifting problems

[krisf]

I have had my 2005 vibe since November 2004. I love the vehicle, but I have had nothing but problems. It has always had a hard time starting, but whenever it went into the shop to be checked out, they never found anything. Well today it was 100 degrees out and I was having trouble shifting on the highway. I got off the highway and was stopped at a light and when I went to go, the car did not want to move. I pulled into a parking lot and turned off the car. It would not start again.I am so sad. I thought with my new vibe I would not have to see it on a tow truck. I love my vibe but I am so disappointed, angry and sad.Anyone have any ideas or similar experiences?

[joatmon]

That sucks. I hope now that it has stranded you the dealer will actually look for a cause of the problems. Keep us posted.

[ragingfish]

Maybe the tranny overheated?

[krisf]

I dont know. All the fluids were at good levels and there were no warning lights or indication on the dash that something was wrong. It was just in the shop a month or so ago to get a oil change and check up. Nothing showed up then.

[Vibe_dude]

sad to hear about ur car man.....so far i have not had any probs like that with mine...but iam a 03 auto.ps.this is whatiam saying about toyota on this board....mags liek consumer reports would have u believe that things liek this would never happen to the sweet lil toyotas....i just wish everyone out there would open their eyes and stay with Gm which is a cheaper$$$ car and also keep our $$$ in north america...my 2 cents.

[GMJAP]

Quote, originally posted by krisf »It has always had a hard time starting, but whenever it went into the shop to be checked out, they never found anything. There is a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) out regarding starting problems on the 2005 Vibe's. I suspect that's your problem, and the dealer should fix it. You can search the forums, someone posted it as I recall. Print it out and take it to the dealer.

[krisf]

I did not see anything posted for the 2005 vibe. All the recalls and TSBs I found were for the 03. If you run into it again can you let me know a link or search to perorm to help me find it.Thanks for all the great tips and comments. It is nice to have other vibe owners out there to talk to.

[joatmon]

Therre was a Toyota TSB on Matrix and Corolla, discussed in http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=15968 and probably elsewhere. I don't think anyone has identified a Pontiac Vibe TSB for starting problemsYou said you were having shifting problems before it wouldn't start. Which of the 4 variants do you have: 5 speed, auto tranny, AWD, or GT/6speed? What were the shifting problems?

[krisf]

I have an automatic 2 wheel drive. I was on the highway driving and I tried to increase my speed. When I got to 50 MPH the engine just reved, instead of changing gears. Finally the gear shift occured and everything was fine.When I got off the highway I was trying to go from a stop and when I pressed on the gas, you could hear the engine feel like it was trying to go, but it just would not. Then it started to go like it should. I was fine if I stayed at a constant speed but of course that is not realistic.Finally I stopped the car and shut it off. It would not start again.

[ColonelPanic]

I was going to say, if you had a manual and missed a shift, that's been known to destroy a few of these these little engines... How high did the engine rev when you were trying to make the car move but it didn't? This could very well be a computer-ish issue... I've had problems with mine out on the interstate where I've tried to give it gas, but it never wanted to downshift and almost seemed like it was in neutral. By not starting, is it cranking but never fires up, or is it not cranking at all?Sounds scary, good luck and keep us posted on what happens!

[krisf]

The engine reved to 5 when if was trying to move, but would not.What you are describing is what I say. It was cranking but it just would not fire. I will hopefully know more tomorrow night. The dealer said that they would look at it and hopefully diagnose it so I can get a rental through the warantee.I hope that all goes well. I will keep you posted.

[krisf]

Well, It looks like my fuel pump went. They are putting a new one. They said it is a freek thing, but they will know more once the new one is in...

[millster]

Interesting. That happened to my Saturn (one of about 30 times it left me stranded). Glad they got it solved at least.

[joatmon]

I hope the new fuel pump fixes the probs, but I don't see how it could have any effect on the pre-failure shifting problems. Hopefull that shifting weirdness will turn out to be a non-repeatable and unrelated one time abnormality.

[krisf]

It was explained to me that a fuel pump problem can simulate a transmission problem. The engine is not getting the gas and therefore will not shift. I will keep you posted.

[krisf]

I got my vibe back today. It was a bad fuel pump. All is well. I am so glad to get the vibe back....The Grand Am Rental car just was not the same.Thanks for all of the support.

[ragingfish]

Glad you're back on the road and it was a simple problem. Drives normally again I take it?