Recall on PCM (Computer)

[bdagle]

As I see from the posts here, a lot of us got the pre-recall letter about replacing the PCM in may Vibes. I checked on the web and my 95 has one of the units that is up for recall. Since then, I haven't heard anything from GM and was wondering what was happening? So I emailed GM and am attaching the reply I got.BrendanThank you for contacting the Pontiac Customer Assistance Center. We appreciate you taking the time to write us in regard to the recall information on your Pontiac Vibe.We understand the information is important to you. We thank you for the opportunity to look into this and would like to see what information is available to us. A limited number of replacement parts will be available for dealers and customers beginning the first half of February, 2011. Recall notification letters will then be sent to owners of affected 2005 model year vehicles first, followed by other model years. This recall is being rolled out in phases to accommodate the tight supply of replacement parts. As all model-year parts become available, effected customers will receive notification letters in waves. However if you are experiencing issues with the vehicle, we recommend that you take it to the GM dealer in your area for proper diagnosis and repair.We have documented the information you provided under the service request. If you should need to contact us in the future, simply reply to this message or call our Pontiac Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-762-2737. Customer Relationship Specialists are available Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Eastern Time. You can reach me at 1-866-790-5600 extension 12807. I am available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday Eastern Time.For more information regarding the maintenance and care of your vehicle, please visit http://www.gmownercenter.com. This free online service offers vehicle and ownership-related information and tools tailored to your specific Pontiac. Again, thank you for contacting Pontiac.Sincerely,The Pontiac Consumer Support Team

[bassplayaz06]

what model years were affected by this recall? the only recall letter i've gotten was for the window bolts. which i ordered and am still waiting on them to come in from japan.

[neebishis]

Drive by wire are the only vehicles involved in the recall.....05 thru 08.

[KITT222]

My step-mom got the letter for her 05 Corolla saying they had her part in. She wants to make an appointment before she takes it to them. The Vibe is probably the last one on the list, as far as priority for Toyota goes, so after the Matrix letter start coming, you should be expecting yours.Personally, I prefer my cable-driven throttle to her drive-by-wire throttle.

[bassplayaz06]

yeah, only one of our cars is drive by wire. the 2008 prius. the other 7 are drive by cable. the vibe, 2002 Chevy Tracker, 2001 GMC Yukon XL, 1999 Pontiac Firebird, 1997 Chevy Camaro, 1990 Chevy 454SS 1500, 1985 Chevy Caprice Classic. i personally hate the stupid prius,

[knightrace]

got my letter todayit says the parts are now available. can't wait to hear what the dealership says tomorrow when I call.

[KITT222]

Quote, originally posted by bassplayaz06 »yeah, only one of our cars is drive by wire. the 2008 prius. the other 7 are drive by cable. the vibe, 2002 Chevy Tracker, 2001 GMC Yukon XL, 1999 Pontiac Firebird, 1997 Chevy Camaro, 1990 Chevy 454SS 1500, 1985 Chevy Caprice Classic. i personally hate the stupid prius,...Dude, I want to see your garage! That Prius sure is a break form all your GM cars. I love the Caprice, and a bit interested in the 454SS.(sorry to hijack the thread!)

[bassplayaz06]

haha we kinda had a family fight for a few months between dad and his dad when he bought the prius. we only have the vibe, yukon, prius, and 454SS here. the camaro and caprice are in charlotte with one brother, the firebird in greensboro with the sister, and the tracker with the other brother in south carolina. btw, the 454SS only has 600 miles on it.

[atcdude]

Had probs with my 2006 Vibe, code p0171. Crappy MPG, uneven idling. Went thru the usual fixes, replaced PCV, and cleaned, then replaced MAS. CEL keeps returning same code.After some digging, found out about an active PCM recall thru a Toyota website (toyotanation) for the Matrix. (they call it the ECM). All you need to do is call a GM dealer, be ready with your VIN, and they will say whether or not its recalled.Be warned that I had to wait an extra day since they did not have the CORRECT ECM available.The fact that this is a Toyota motor seems to make any parts replacement difficult. Took me three different trips to Autozone, and finally a visit to the dealer (who had 2 special order) a PCV valve.Not sure yet whether the new PCM will fix all the issues I'm having yet...stay tuned!

[neebishis]

atcdude....if you're still having problems, give some thought to the intake manifold gasket issues that are fairly common with these engines. Its an easy, inexpensive fix, and would cause the the problems you are listing.Ken

[atcdude]

thanks neebishis.Got the new PCM in, and it doesnt seem to be running any better. I also went ahead and put in new plugs. They were NGK's, 6.99 each.Looks like intake gasket may be next. Got an idea where a thread is to guide me thru it?Thanks

[neebishis]

Here's one I posted awhile back 1.8 Intake manifold gasket « » 6:02 AM 2/24/2010 Reply Edit --------------------------------------------------------------------------------I've been following this site for nearly 2 years...and picked up MANY useful tips from you guys. Maybe I can give one back. I have an '05 Vibe with 137,000 miles on it.....been getting an intermittant check engine light for the last 12 months. Just about the time I decide to do something about it, it goes out and I won't see it again for a month or so. The idle was a bit rough so I considered a tight valve, dirty injector, or oxygen senser. Then someone on this site talked about tripping a code and winding up with a bad intake manifold gasket. I thought....that could cause ALL my symptoms, and would be the cheapest thing I could do to cure them. When the local Toyota parts guy gave my my new gasket, he said, ''as you can see, these are red.....if yours is a black gasket, you'll know it is origonal, if its red, its already been changed out''. Mine was black and had a crack in it at #1 cylinder. An easy hour of work, and my problem is history!! It purrs like a ***** cat, and generally just runs much better......and the ck. engine light is out. Thanks guys for the great information!! By the way.....Type IV Toyota transmission fluid was only 4.50 a quart at the dealer....I picked up 4 of those for a drain and fill. I've heard GM is getting 11.50 a quart for this stuff.« Re: 1.8 Intake manifold gasket (jasonvibe) « » 5:29 PM 12/16/2010 Reply Edit --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jasonvibe....its been awhile since I did the job, and I'm old....but, as I remember, you remove the plastic cover over the valve cover, remove rubber intake air tube from aircleaner, remove nuts from the throttle body, remove the electrical plug and swing it out of the way (do not remove coolant lines). Then unbolt the intake from the head and wiggle it out. I see nothing wrong with factory intake manifold....it just had an o-ring gasket that was made of inferior material.....12 bucks for a new one and re-assemble. Get your new gasket from a Toyota dealer...and just tell him you've got a '05 Matrix with a 1.8 engine....you'll save yourself money and some hassle doing it that way.Ken

[atcdude]

thanks again for the info Ken. My CEL hasnt returned since I got the recalled ECM replaced , but the moment it does, the gasket is comin' out.Ralph

[j1yuan]

For my 05 Vibe, I got the new PCM. It seems to have helped quite a bit and I am very happy!Before it was done, I had CheckEngine light with P0172 code (lean condition). I have cleaned the MAF sensor and verified it several times in a few months. I almost give in to the idea of replacing O2 sensor.After it was done, I saw the CheckEngine light and noticed that hot idle was rough. Because the code was P0163 (incorrect VIN). I called the dealer right away and they told me to go back the next day so that they can fix the problem. After the 2nd trip, everything works very well. I guess they have done a really good job this time.I was told that the old PCM was made by GM, but the new one is made by Toyota. No matter what, I am sure the new one would have new version of the program and it probably will handle everything the same or better.