So, my fiance' and I have a 2009 Vibe that we really love. It has not given us any issues since buying it new, 58k miles on it, been a great car. In the last week or so we have been hearing a squeal when we start it. A friend of mine thought it was a starter issue, but it sounded a lot like the Serpentine Belt (I used to have a Saturn that made this noise, or a noise very similar), so we took it to the mechanic, he said the Serpentine belt was worn, so it was replaced. Two days later (this morning), I get in the car first thing in the morning and start it up, same noise. Later, I am running some errands, I get back to the car, the car starts up fine, but there is no power steering! I can get the car home (I am brutishly strong
), but I know something is up. I go to start the car 15 minutes later, it would start. Engine isn't turning over. I let the car sit for 90 minutes and try it again, and presto!, she starts right up. I am psyched, gonna drive it around the neighborhood a little bit, make sure she feels ok. Well, I get out of the driveway, all the interior gauges are flickering, the radio won't turn on, the electrical is going wacko. I give it some gas and it isn't accelerating, doesn't it make it much past idle speed. I am putzing around the neighborhood, the car is very unresponsive, I now have no dash lights, no turn signals, no emergency flashers (eek!), and I just want to get back home. I stop at a stop sign and the car dies, I have to push it the last two blocks home (thank goodness only two blocks!). OK, so you read the story, here are the facts.
1. Heard a strange noise, someone thought it was the starter, we thought it was serpentine belt, serpentine belt was worn, mechanic replaced.
2. Heard the noise again, later that day lost power steering.
3. Later that same day, car wouldn't start.
4. 90 minutes later, car started, but electrical going nuts.
5. Car died at stop sign, had to push it home.
We are in a pickle, we are getting married in 8 weeks and every penny counts. Would love some informed insight before I take it to someone. I read a couple of similar accounts on this forum, but haven't really happened up an answer. Is there someone out there that is my hero? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you thank you thank you!
