Odd Problem when starting 2003 Vibe

FraserD · Post by **FraserD** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 12:55 pm

First of all I have never been a huge car guy, although I do know my way around a garage with basic repairs I will never be able to rebuild an engine or do anything more than essentially swap parts out. Not that that is to important to the rest of my story/question but here it goes...I went grocery shopping and when I got back I found that my car was able to turn on (engine wise) however there was a complete lack of electrical power for anything that I would consider major (headlights, rear lights, windshield wipers, windows as well as to the automatic transmission, meaning I couldn't drive away). The weather at the time was roughly -20 degrees Celsius (COLD!) however after finding my fuse checker that I keep in my glove box the power to everything in the vehicle returned. Does anyone have any theories as to what might have caused this because I for one am stumped as it is a new battery and I checked the alternator so it shouldn't be anything related to that. I hate winter!!!

star_deceiver · Post by **star_deceiver** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 2:41 pm

Did you check the large main fuses in the box under the hood?

FraserD · Post by **FraserD** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 5:39 am

Before I checked the fuse box (had to chip some ice away from the fusebox in order to open it) the car started to work again, so while I didn't check it per say, I don't know if there is something else that I should be aware of.

jkm311 · Post by **jkm311** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 9:40 am

There was ice surrounding your fuse box under the hood? And thick enough to be chipped away?! I will never complain about Michigan winters ever again. Or, at least not on here...

FraserD · Post by **FraserD** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 12:41 pm

I was as shocked as anyone else, I had to take the bus for a couple of days because the weather dipped down to roughly -35 degrees Celsius or around that (-31 F), so I hadn't driven my vehicle in a couple days and some ******* decided to park in my parking spot so I wasn't able to plug my car in. When I opened up he hood of my car, fair enough there was some snow and ice that had accumulated on the fuse box that I had to chip off in order to get in there. I was less than impressed at my situation.

wadeh · Post by **wadeh** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:48 am

This exact scenario just happened to me this morning with my 2005 Vibe. I stopped for gas on way to work. Came out and car started but no electrical power as FraserD explained. Could not put in gear. Restarted car a couple times with same problem. As I was sitting there with the car running I was wondering what I was going to do and suddenly the dash lit up and everything worked.It was aslo a cold -24 C. Is this a specific problem or a cold weather abnomally?ThanksWade

wadeh · Post by **wadeh** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 9:56 am

I have been told that this is related to the recall for the ECM. I have mine booked in next week to get it replaced.

neebishis · Post by **neebishis** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 1:16 pm

Does this mean that GM has parts available to do the ECM swap on Vibes??. I've been waiting for a notification letter asking me to bring my 05 in for repair.I also own a 05 Matrix.....and I have received my letter from Toyota asking me to make an appointment.

wadeh · Post by **wadeh** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 11:44 am

I just bought the car a couple months ago so I wasn't registered to get a letter. I just called a GM dealer the other day and asked if my car was on the recall and they said it was and booked me an appointment. They mentioned they started doing these replacements as of Jan 31.

Odd Problem when starting 2003 Vibe

Odd Problem when starting 2003 Vibe

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