Heat in Center Console Storage

[Clerfayt]

Hi everybody. I'm a newbie around here.I own a used Vibe 2006 (base trim, auto transmission), recently purchased in fairly decent condition.A few days ago I took it for the first time on a long highway drive -- about 450km (280m), at an average speed of around 110kmph (70mph). At the end of the trip, I noticed that the center console area was quite warm, and the bottom of the storage compartment was uncomfortably warm to the touch.I've no idea about the Vibe's mechanics, so I wonder if anyone could suggest what might be going on. Is this normal? Or should I take the Vibe to a garage for a check-up?TIA, Clerfayt

[waveresponder]

just a few questions/thoughtsdoes your center console have a cig outlet?was your e-brake all the way offdid you have the ac on in the car when you reached in lolmaybe slow down a lil 70mph is pretty fast as cars at least to my knowledge achieve best MPG at 55mph

[ClunkClunk]

You mentioned a base model, but any chance it's an AWD model? Something about the position of the driveshaft for the rear wheels strikes me as a possible cause of heat.I've never noticed any abnormal heat in my 2008 or 2007 (I don't drive the 2003 or 2006 regularly, so I'm not sure about those two, but the 2003 is an AWD model).

[scherry2]

if your talking about around the shifter/ac/radio area, mine is an 03 and it has gotten warm since i owned it. you have a radio that gets warm and no place for the heat to go.

[Clerfayt]

Thanks for your replies.The car is definitely not AWD. As per the Vibe '06 manual, the center console storage is the storage area between the two front seats, behind the parking brake lever. There is no outlet of any kind in it.The parking brake was all the way off. As to speed, the limit on that highway was 100kmph (62mph), and no-one was driving that slow, let alone any slower.TIA, Clerfayt

[engineertwin2]

The 03-04 Vibes had a 12V power outlet in the lower portion of the center console. I believe that several have discovered the wiring harness was still there in later model years.You may want to remove the center console and see if you have the wiring harness. That could potentially be causing some heat issues. Have you noticed it getting warm on routine "around town" trips?

[scherry2]

Quote, originally posted by engineertwin2 »The 03-04 Vibes had a 12V power outlet in the lower portion of the center console. I believe that several have discovered the wiring harness was still there in later model years.You may want to remove the center console and see if you have the wiring harness. That could potentially be causing some heat issues. Have you noticed it getting warm on routine "around town" trips?what he said.

[engineertwin2]

Quote, originally posted by scherry2 »what he said.I'm getting that a lot lately....

[Clerfayt]

Thanks. I only noticed the problem after the highway drive, which was 450km without a break. In town, I normally drive short distances with long stops, and I haven't noticed anything unusual.Regarding the harness, there seems to be good reason to believe it's there, and I'll check as soon as I have some time. But I don't quite see how it could be involved -- if there's heat, there must be a current flow; if there's a current flow, there's a short -- and shouldn't that blow the fuse?Clerfayt

[modieselguy]

Even though the exhaust is insulated traveling down the firewall and under the floor, heat will penetrate that area and radiate through your console area. Especially long travel with no stops.