Service department pipe dream?

[ajf3ajf3]

Hey all - Just bought a 03 vibe with 34800 on it... did some research and some checking & found which problems I'm seeing.Just scheduled an appointment with my local dealer with the following reqs... Doubt I have a chance in heck of it going through smoothly, but I gotta start somewhere!I'm actually seeing everything on this list except a major cladding problem... not a whole lot of damage compared to some of the pics I've seen online, but I'm going to be doing a lot of gravel/dirt driving (whereas the last owner didn't) & plan to keep the car as long as possible, so I'd like to head it off at the pass.Hi - I'm scheduling this appointment to have the following problems repaired under warranty:1. Rear speakers crack with low bass. Drivers more than passengers.2. Weatherstripping along drivers and passengers front door frame deteriorating.3. Gas cap hinge binding up - hard to open/close.4. Rotten egg smell at times - often when I stop to pay a toll (probably TSB #04-06-05-011A)5. Slow to start - worse in the cold (probably TSB #03-06-03-004)6. Cladding (molding/rocker) replacement per #02-08-111-005B

[gargoyle]

You did your research, and it sounds like a reasonable list of requests... Good luck getting them to fix it! Congrats on the Vibe.

[ToolGuy]

Hopefully since you just bought it they will take care of you... They should and your list does not seem to demanding since it is not like you are asking them to do it outside the warranty period.

[joatmon]

Quote, originally posted by ajf3ajf3 »Just bought a 03 vibe with 34800 on it... You are still under warranty based on miles, but you may be out of warranty based on time. If the original owner bought the car before November 2002, then it will have been in service for more than the 36 months the warranty provides, and you'll be past warranty. 2003 models were sold from January 2002 to sometime in the fall of 2003, maybe longer if it was one that hid in some dealers back lot, but the dealer should be able to tell you.So, be sure that the car is still under warranty before you ask the dealer to do lots of stuff to your car, because that list would cost a good chunk of change if you have to pay for it out of pocket.

[gargoyle]

OFF TOPIC...Wow! Joatmon, you're at 4999 posts! One more and you'll be a (5x) genvibe god.

[Baltovibe]

Quote, originally posted by gargoyle »OFF TOPIC...Wow! Joatmon, you're at 4999 posts! One more and you'll be a (5x) genvibe god. Off topic also ... but Joatmon has been at 4999 for a while now, even with new posts. I wonder why??

[joatmon]

It's magic.Now, back on topicAlex, have you scheduled a time for service yet? will be interesting to hear how they react.

[Kent]

Quote, originally posted by ajf3ajf3 »3. Gas cap hinge binding up - hard to open/close.And I thought I was the only one who had this issue! Anyone else?KF

[Mavrik]

Let us know how it all goes. As long as your car is having the problems outlined by those TSB information, and the vehicle is less then 3 years old, your set for the warranty stuff.

[northvibe]

yea would they do cladding thats coming off? mine is starting to come off, looks like the little popper things that hold it on are gone...was like that when i bought it. but it wont be going to the same place i bought it from and im still under manf. warranty.

[ajf3ajf3]

Thanks for the tips & well-wishes... I made an appointment for next Weds - thought it would give them time to get the parts ordered in.As for the warranty, carfax reports it being registered to the 1st owner on 2/15/03. Unless that's incorrect, I should have until 2/06 covered - although I didn't check the VIN with Pontiac to see verify that it is valid. Do they have an 800# for that, or would the dealer just check it?

[Mavrik]

the dealership will check it before they do any warranty work.

[ajf3ajf3]

Ok... going to drop off the car for service tomorrow - keep those fingers crossed for me!Another question - I have 600 miles left out of the original 36k factory warranty. How does it work if they don't 'get to it' tomorrow and I have to bring it back in again? I ask because I'm really doubtful that they'll be able to do everything in one day & I'd like to take it on a trip over the long holiday, but that would likely take me over the 36k.Just wondering if me bringing it in and having an item on the list grandfathered the issue to in-warranty or something?Anyway, here's the revised list - added a couple of other issues:1.Rear speakers need replaced – they crack with low bass. The drivers side does this more than the passengers. With low amounts of bass you’ll hear a clanky rattle with high amounts of bass you’ll hear the cracking.2.The weather stripping along drivers and passengers front door frame is deteriorating and needs to be replaced.3.The gas cap hinge is binding up - hard to open/close.4.Rotten egg smell at times - often when I stop to pay a toll (probably needs the newer model catalytic converter and PCM per TSB #04-06-05-011A)5.Slow to start – I’ve noticed this problem as the temperature has started to drop lower in the mornings. (probably TSB #03-06-03-004)6.Cladding (molding/rocker) replacement with newer 2004 version cladding per TSB #02-08-111-005B7.Horn at 3 & 6 o’clock positions doesn't beep first few tries - at the 9 o’clock position it always works.8.Please check the ATF fluid and the transmission – I’m only at 35k and service isn't called for until 60k, but the fluid looks very dirty & possibly a little burnt. If you replace the fluid please note that it calls for Toyota T-IV transmission fluid and not the Dextron brand fluid.9.There is a rattle in the drivers side dashboard near the corner of the windshield – it happens when driving from a cold start and goes away as the car warms up.

[ajf3ajf3]

Ok... just heard back from them (Bowser Pontiac, Pittsburgh):1. Ordered speakers2. "Weather stripping is deterioriated, but that's a WEAR item."3. Have to have bodyshop look at it.4. Ordered Catalytic converter & PCM5. "Could not reproduce - battery ok"6. Have to have bodyship look at it - doesn't think theres a problem.7. Could not reproduce (this one bugs me - happens to me all the time)8. ATF fluid dirty, but not burnt. Doesn't think theres a problem (Guess I'll just change it on my dime).9. "The rattle is normal - we compared it to other Vibes. When it's cold it rattles, but then stops after it's warmed up"What do you guys think about the answers for 2, 8, and 9? Worth pursuing?Also - the guy told me that I can get the cat/pcm and speakers installed free now even if I go over the warranty limit since the parts are on order already... anything to worry about with that, or is it always true?

[Mavrik]

Well lets see...#2: weatherstrips do wear out, people can open their doors when frozen and rip them... etc... wear item sounds about right...#8: Well whats recommended and whats reality can become a blurred line. That 60k is under ideal conditions... it doesn't hurt to change the fluid before the recommendation. Certainly so if its looking burnt/dirty. But unless there is a transmission problem, changing the fluid is not warranty, its just like an oil change.#9: Welcome to the club, Mine does that to and I find if I put my hand on the little vent in that corner, or sometimes even my tweeter on the door in the same area, it goes away. And yes it goes away when the car warms up. Normal and nothing that can be done as far as I know.

[Raven]

2. I think this a common problem, I would pursue it.5. Has your battery been replaced with the updated 550 CCA? If not, pursue the matter as per TSB.8. This is normal on auto Vibe's, I changed mine at 60,000 miles.All in all, I would say you did well.

[ajf3ajf3]

Thx guys - not complaining since I am getting a cat/pcm out of the deal, but wanted to check on those.I've can't recall ever replacing a weatherstrip on a car - that's why it struck me as odd that they called it a wear item. No big deal though - I'm not really noticing any ill effects from it.As for the battery, I have the original - not the 550 & they were pretty adament about there not being a problem with it - it 'tested out ok'.If I argue, it'll probably be about the cladding - going to see the bodyshop guy on Friday about that - it's in a different location from the dealership.Thanks!

[Mavrik]

Well see the problem with getting the battery replaced is that there is nothing actually wrong with the battery itself... its just to weak at full charge in cold weather. But as an actual failure to be replaced under warranty, warranty only replaces malfunctioning parts... say a dead battery. But not a fully charged one. I agree the battery is not strong enough, I got a next ACDELCO size up in my car free when my battery was replaced for leaking. They simply upgraded my battery at the 2004 Genvibe meet in MI when I was there. Was really cool.If you don't get a new battery but are having probs with your fully charged stock one, take it out, put it in your lawn tractor and buy a redtop or a stronger ACDELCO battery and be done with it.

[ajf3ajf3]

Another update - stopped by the other day since the horn was doing it's thing again - 3/6 o'clock doesn't beep the horn until you hit it a few times & 'unstick' whatever was stuck.Anyway - they guys saw it happen & the mgr tells the tech to go ahead and order a new unit - tech says what unit? Mgr says the airbag assembly!Can you believe that?!? They build a couple dollar horn activator as an integral part of the airbag assembly! I think the guy said it was more than a grand... Gald I'm getting the horn fixed, but is there anything I should check/worry about with them replacing the airbag?

[Mavrik]

the Vibe isn't the only one where the horn and the airbag are all one piece. Glad your not paying huh lol

[ajf3ajf3]

Sure am glad! That's serious $$$.Found another difference between my Pontiac dealer and my Nissan dealer (I bought an 04 Quest last year).The Nissan dealer gives comp loaners when you bring it in for warranty work. The Pontiac dealer says they can't because GM will only auth it when the car isn't driveable/safe to drive. Have to pay $30/day for an Avis car through the dealership... grr.

[Mavrik]

GM and Subaru are like that... thats why the GM dealership I worked at last, we had our own service loaners, only 2 but they helped.

[ajf3ajf3]

Just an update... the Bowser service dept replaced the cat/pcm, airbag/horn, and rear speakers.I am seeing a ~10% MPG gain with the new cat... around 29/30 highway now - hopefully that'll go up to around 33 or so when the winter mix is done.

[Mavrik]

Sounds like they got you all fixed up

[ajf3ajf3]

Another update - they replaced most of my cladding an a sticking gas cap too. They didn't know about the cladding issue - we looked it up in their book & found the TSB.Nice dealership all around - especially the body shop guys - no complaints from me