40K OD Check Engine Light BIG Trouble

[msghughes]

Tranny has a hard shift, wty. is just expired at 36K, and the mechanic says the "computer" or "electronic control box" is DOA and needs replacement...very expensive. Any ideas from anyone out there?

[ColonelPanic]

Since the check engine light is on, did they give you the codes that it has set? Is it rough in all gears or only certain ones?If it turns out being something that will be big bucks,you can always beg GM to see if they will be nice and goodwill the repair, you're out of warranty but not by a whole lot. It may not work, but would be worth a shot.Hope you can get it fixed, and by the way - welcome!

[ITcar]

wellllll....when i had a check engine light, i took it to a dragstrip and the next day it went away! maybe you could have as much luck

[msghughes]

Hey, thanks for the warm welcome! This is my third return to GM cars from the "foreign" field, and my third disappointment! (Two were trannys BEFORE wty. exp.) This time we didn't opt for extra wty. because we were trusting in the Toyota technology that was in the mix of this beautiful car! (1) We did not get the codes.(2) We did talk to TWO dealerships who were deaf, dumb and blind about our problem (i.e., too bad, how sad...)(3) The problem is in first and reverse...we will find out more from our local garage that we've been dealing with for several years now and have confidence in his shop ethics.(4) Since we are in Philadelphia, PA area, there's not too much racing to do around here, except when MSG checks into US Army Reserve unit upstate PA.We are glad to have landed this site, and thanks for any help or sympathy!

[AKLGT]

welcome and good luck! they should be able to give you the actual codes at your shop. what year and model do you have?

[damronjr]

Go to your local Autozone, they will read and give you the codes for free. Post them here and we'll see what we can do! Welcome to the site, a lot of us feel your pain!

[sk8r78]

I know this isn't gonna help your problem but I would say this is a rarity and an uncommon issue, and is a seriously premature failure. Although its not a cheap repair either way but there are enough salvaged Vibes and Matrix', to be able to pick up a used one for less than the cost of repairing yours. This goes for the ECU as well. if it turns out thats all you need.

[lovemyraffe]

Welcome!!!

[Baltovibe]

I don't have my warranty book readily available, but I thought the ECU computer was covered by the 5 year / 100000 mile EPA pollution warranty, that is standard with most cars these days?

[Kamikaze]

sorry to hear of your problem, hopefully something can get fixed... and hopefully with some wisdom from the guys on the site... It can get fixed cheaper/quicker/easier.... Good luck!

[tnpartsguy]

I just checked. All Vibes have the transmission controls built into the PCM, (Powertrain Control Module) There is no independant transmission computer. I'd call Pontiac Customer relations and ask them for assistance. Did you buy the car new or used? If you bought it new, your selling dealer needs to be where you take it, unless it's too far away now. If that's the case, have them assign the case to the nearest dealer that you are willing to go to. Stand your ground, but don't get pushy....but don't take NO for an answer.Welcome to Gen Vibe!

[scherry2]

Quote, originally posted by msghughes » This is my third return to GM cars from the "foreign" field, and my third disappointment! we were trusting in the Toyota technology that was in the mix of this beautiful car! well you can't blame this one on GM, not with Toyota stamped across the transaxle. does your car exhaust smell like rotten eggs? there is a service report at dealers for that and it calls for a PCM replacement. that would solve the problem.