Cold weather and Electronics

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Nasmfell
Posts: 364
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 5:48 pm

Cold weather and Electronics

Post by Nasmfell »

Out of curiosity, since many places have had bitterly cold weather, has anyone experienced electronic issues besides battery with their Vibes/Matrixes, notably with the Drive by Wire System, Electronic steering, etc?
bull77
Posts: 1976
Joined: Wed Mar 08, 2006 2:27 am
Location: Ottawa

Re: Cold weather and Electronics

Post by bull77 »

I don't know if it was cold related but my blower motor stopped working last week. No heat or defrost in -35 is not fun :cry:

swapped the fuse and bought a new blower motor only for it to start working on a day it warmed up. :evil: :evil:
beemerphile1
Posts: 505
Joined: Tue Jul 14, 2009 12:12 am
Location: NE Ohio

Re: Cold weather and Electronics

Post by beemerphile1 »

Car in signature;
40,000+ miles
original battery
-12 degrees F this morning
started and ran perfectly

Only thing ever done is oil changes, tire change, and new brakes.
NE Ohio - home to the most successful Pontiac drag racing team in history - Bill Knafel's "Tin Indian" and also home to Summit Auto Racing.
2009 Vibe base 1.8L auto towing 2009 Aliner Sport hardsided pop-up
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vibenvy
Posts: 7121
Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:38 am
Location: Sandwich, IL

Re: Cold weather and Electronics

Post by vibenvy »

Both our Vibes are in a heated garage when at home, but when I had to work a couple days when it was below zero here in Chicagoland a couple weeks ago, the Vibe was pretty slow to start and the one day when it was really cold, the starter made a horrible screeching noise for a split second :|. Other than that, both Vibes have been fine with the cold weather though.
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2009 Liquid Platinum Metallic Vibe GT - 5-Speed Auto – Garage
2009 Steel Blue Metallic Vibe GT - 5-Speed Auto – Garage
Nasmfell
Posts: 364
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 5:48 pm

Re: Cold weather and Electronics

Post by Nasmfell »

vibenvy wrote:Both our Vibes are in a heated garage when at home, but when I had to work a couple days when it was below zero here in Chicagoland a couple weeks ago, the Vibe was pretty slow to start and the one day when it was really cold, the starter made a horrible screeching noise for a split second :|. Other than that, both Vibes have been fine with the cold weather though.

..well that might be a concern next week. I think more cold "Arctic" air is on the way.
09vGT
Posts: 1457
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:36 am
Location: Little Rock, AR

Re: Cold weather and Electronics

Post by 09vGT »

vibenvy wrote:Both our Vibes are in a heated garage when at home, but when I had to work a couple days when it was below zero here in Chicagoland a couple weeks ago, the Vibe was pretty slow to start and the one day when it was really cold, the starter made a horrible screeching noise for a split second :|. Other than that, both Vibes have been fine with the cold weather though.
Mine makes the "screeching" sound also, only when cold. I don't know how else to describe it. It has done this for the last couple of winters.
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vibenvy
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Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:38 am
Location: Sandwich, IL

Re: Cold weather and Electronics

Post by vibenvy »

Nasmfell wrote:..well that might be a concern next week. I think more cold "Arctic" air is on the way.
Everything I have heard is that it's not going to be nearly as bad as a couple weeks ago though when temperatures were around 25 below zero and wind chills were 40-50 below zero.
09vGT wrote:Mine makes the "screeching" sound also, only when cold. I don't know how else to describe it. It has done this for the last couple of winters.
Mine has only done it a few times when it's been sitting at work all day and it's really cold out. It doesn't do it normally, so I'm not too concerned about it. It is definitely a horrible sound though :|.
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2009 Liquid Platinum Metallic Vibe GT - 5-Speed Auto – Garage
2009 Steel Blue Metallic Vibe GT - 5-Speed Auto – Garage
KITT222
Posts: 2257
Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2010 1:45 pm
Location: Flint, Michigan

Re: Cold weather and Electronics

Post by KITT222 »

2004 Vibe base, Minnesota - 3rd coldest state in America. Wasn't happy starting below zero the first few times, but now it will turn over with the first crank as low as 5F. No heated garage, just a block heater that's plugged in at night and times when she's at home.
Nasmfell
Posts: 364
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 5:48 pm

Re: Cold weather and Electronics

Post by Nasmfell »

vibenvy wrote:
Nasmfell wrote:..well that might be a concern next week. I think more cold "Arctic" air is on the way.
Everything I have heard is that it's not going to be nearly as bad as a couple weeks ago though when temperatures were around 25 below zero and wind chills were 40-50 below zero.
09vGT wrote:Mine makes the "screeching" sound also, only when cold. I don't know how else to describe it. It has done this for the last couple of winters.
Mine has only done it a few times when it's been sitting at work all day and it's really cold out. It doesn't do it normally, so I'm not too concerned about it. It is definitely a horrible sound though :|.

I've heard that, but it may last for more days compared to earlier in the month
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