Victory over the buzzing noise, and how to remove dashboard

[vibe owner]

Ah, so sweet to be rid of that intermittent buzzing noise! Pretty sure mine was the cruise control circuit shaking on its single-screw mount. You might be able to get at it from below, but the sure way is to remove the upper dashboard. All the gory details with photos athttp://vibeowner.home.comcast.net/

[Vibe]

EXCELLENT SOURCE OF REFERENCE!!!! and info. I printed it all out for future reference. Thanks for sharing! James

[DABEAR95]

Make sure that you do use your AC every month or so or you may have problems in the spring when you go to use it. I think this is part of the reason the AC is tied in with the defroster. To reduce fogging and to extend the life of the AC compressor.Jason

[baltimore17]

On the underside of the removed dash pad, he's noted the cursed DRL light sensor. I wonder how easy it would be to relocate it to mount just inside the defroster vent, also seen in that view. You'd have to cut a small entry hole into the defroster duct, visible in that mass of clutter in the picture of the completely disassembled dashboard. At least the sensor would then be away from the shadows from the windshield pillers. I wonder if the defroster heat would fry the sensor.I offer this suggestion with no courage to bell this particular cat. The disassembly looks daunting and (knock on wood), I have no bad rattles or vibrations yet.

[ragingfish]

vibe owner:since you figured out how to remove the gauge cluster trim, did you figure out a way to take off the tinted plastic? i removed the cluster trim, but couldn't figure out how to remove the tinted plastic...i would love to see pontiac offer a clear, or at least more transparent, gauge plastic...mike

[vibe owner]

The tinted plastic is half the structure of the instrument cluster -- you would need a similar clear replacement part. Doubt if it is available in any other tints.

[ragingfish]

quote:The tinted plastic is half the structure of the instrument cluster -- you would need a similar clear replacement part. Doubt if it is available in any other tints.It actually makes up the structure? Damn.

[ragingfish]

Has anyone ever been to a plastic molding shop that they can recommend? I know most will probably not be within my driving distance, but at least I could call and get an idea of what kind of price I'm lookin at. Thanks!Mike

[ragingfish]

Oops.Well, I accidentally dropped the plastic cover tonight and it shattered. Not impact resistant plastic unfortunatley. DOH! Can someone with a service/parts manual give me the part number for this piece? Just in case I can't find a company to reasonably make me a new one, I want to have the info to replace this one with a factory one. Thanks all!

[ragingfish]

Don't worry. I couldn't help but laugh either! ROFL! It was just too ironic.

[ragingfish]

Update on the recently deceased cluster lens.I called 4 dealers, they all said the cluster lens is not sold separately, and I would have to replace the entire cluster gauge: $500.I thought that sounded strange, so I called the source, Pontiac. Got a WONDERFULLY nice woman who took the time to look it up...anyway, she was unable to find information that contradicted what I had been told by the dealers. She was kind enough to call my selling dealer, who said he would call some AC/Delco repair shops that repair the gauges, and see if they had an extra. Result: 0My dealer is continuing to look for SOME way to find me a lens cheap, or possibly even deem it "warrantable" and get me a new gauge for free. Pontiac and Dealer tag-team support: priceless. I shall keep y'all posted.

[ragingfish]

Got the bad news today. I have to bring my vibe in and leave it for a week. They can't just order a new cluster, the cluster itself has to be sent out. (removed) it. I called the local junkyards silver...20 actually...all over the state, and some in PA and NY, none had any vibes where the dash wasn't damaged. Few had any vibes at all.So I lose my vibe for a week, but I guess I can get some little repairs done.

[ragingfish]

Update:Got my car back! The dealer thought he'd have to have it for a week. Turns out the parts division overnighted him a new set of gauges, and they replaced it! UNDER WARRANTY! WOOHOO!!I read the invoice after, upon which the dealer noted "replaced gauge assembly in the interest of customer satisfaction. Hey, whatever you wanna call it! Problem RESOLVED!

[vibe owner]

You must have incredible karma, or great puppydog eyes...

[ragingfish]

Def karma in this case. I don't do the sad puppy deal.