1st two mods, 1 for 2, 2008 vibe

[arlynd]

I attempted my first two modifications tonight, one for two.The first one was to put in the garage door opener switch. It was very simple and took less than 30 minutes. First I soldered two wires to my current garage door opener http://www.arlynsphotos.com/vibe1.JPGMaking a small notch for the wires to go through the case with a utility knife. Then I clipped the opener to the left lower part of the dash. This was easier to do after first removing the coin holder and switch blank (just pull straight out and it comes out easy) and the storage bin. To get the storage bin out, open it about half way and then pull straight up to disengage the hinges. Pulling the wires through the open switch slots probably took the most time.http://www.arlynsphotos.com/vibe3.JPGA quick strip of the wires and connection to a couple of spade terminals made easy connections to the switch from http://www.oznium.comhttp://www.arlynsp ... e4.JPGPush the switch in and the coin holder and it was done, less than 30 minutes.http://www.arlynsphotos.com/vibe5.JPGThe second modification I tried was to install the 12V plug in the center console/armrest. Getting the console out was easy, just 4 quick bolts like others on the forum have already posted. The foam padding just lifts out to reveal the 10 mm bolts http://www.arlynsphotos.com/vibe6.JPGI picked the cover off to reveal the wires that others have talked abouthttp://www.arlynsphotos.com/vibe7.JPGand thought I'd be done with this mod in short order also but no such luck. The wires are there but a quick test with a voltmeter and the car switch to on showed no voltage. After a few minutes of trying to find a possible empty fuse or relay in the owners manual it was time to put it back together so I can hit the road tomorrow. I'll have to do some more research on this one. Anybody have any ideas about how to find the other end of the wires?

[nate06]

just make sure you had the key turned because that plug does not provide power when the car is off

[sjbourg]

Nice job and nice writeup for the garage door opener. I am going to do this soon, but I was thinking about mounting the switch on the backside of the storage bin in order to save the blank spot above for something else. Just a thought though, as I'll probably wind up doing exactly what you (and others) did.

[nate06]

Oh and I love the garage opener, if I had a garage I would have do that.

[arlynd]

Quote, originally posted by nate06 »just make sure you had the key turned because that plug does not provide power when the car is offI did that, the switch was in the "on" position, the radio was working. Maybe I should check it again with the car running just in case there is some kind of rpm sensor involved. I tried to find the fuse box (according to the manual somewhere under the driver's side dash) but I didn't. It was starting to get dark out so I closed up shop for the day.

[Ragugoat]

I just complete the power outlet mod and had no problems. The wire that was blue striped was the positive and the black strip was the negative. The outlet I picked up at WalMart had two wire taps included and used those, checking the voltages worked great. The only hiccup was I had to splice a longer wire for the negative than what was provided. Took me about 10 minutes and cost around $11

[arlynd]

I got the center console 12V plug working today. First I double checked the wires - no power. Then I checked for resistance to ground and found that the white wire with the brown stripe was the ground and well connected.Next I found the fuse box and checked for the fuses they were all there. Then I took out the glove compartment and had two of the relay junction box screws out when I reached up to find the others as well as the center console relay that others have described so well. I put that back together and then checked the 110 volt outlet. That was all working.I was about to run a new wire from the fuse box when I had a flash - let's check those fuses. I pulled the P/POINT fuse and it didn't look right but no dark areas that I usually see with blown fuses. I pulled the CIG fuse and the radio went out. Put that fuse back in and went through my mini fuse supply and found one 15 amp fuse left. I put that in place of the P/POINT original and tested the wires - 12 V just like the doctor ordered. The 12V outlet is now in and working great.So for all you 2008 Vibe owners - the center 12 V option is still there. If it doesn't work for you right away - CHECK THE FUSE

[The Lox]

Quote, originally posted by arlynd »I got the center console 12V plug working today. First I double checked the wires - no power. Then I checked for resistance to ground and found that the white wire with the brown stripe was the ground and well connected.Next I found the fuse box and checked for the fuses they were all there. Then I took out the glove compartment and had two of the relay junction box screws out when I reached up to find the others as well as the center console relay that others have described so well. I put that back together and then checked the 110 volt outlet. That was all working.I was about to run a new wire from the fuse box when I had a flash - let's check those fuses. I pulled the P/POINT fuse and it didn't look right but no dark areas that I usually see with blown fuses. I pulled the CIG fuse and the radio went out. Put that fuse back in and went through my mini fuse supply and found one 15 amp fuse left. I put that in place of the P/POINT original and tested the wires - 12 V just like the doctor ordered. The 12V outlet is now in and working great.So for all you 2008 Vibe owners - the center 12 V option is still there. If it doesn't work for you right away - CHECK THE FUSE Well I did mine today, took all of 30 minutes, and luckily I didn't have to deal with the fuse, plugged mine all up and everthing was golden. I did the Dual armest mod at the same time..I cannot beleive these had to be done after the car was built, they seem so obvious to me...

[arlynd]

Good work. I just ordered my dual armrest cover today. I can't believe the prices the GM places are asking - over $200. I ordered mine from a toyota site.