I have a 2004 Vibe with about 85,500 miles on it. Last summer the AC started blowing hot air, so I took it to an independent repair shop where they found a leak and fixed the problem. But now the AC has stopped working altogether -- the AC light doesn't come on and it doesn't blow any air, hot or cold (the circulate light does come on). I'm thinking it's probably an electrical problem -- could it be something as simple as a blown fuse? I have no idea how to check the fuses but wonder if it might be possible to check myself and possibly replace a fuse myself -- I'm not doing well financially and would like to avoid paying through the nose for something I could do myself. I spent most of my life in New York City without a car and am pretty ignorant about repair issues. Would appreciate any advice.
AC not working - light doesn't come on
Re: AC not working - light doesn't come on
A fuse is a safety device to prevent damage to wiring and other components. A blown fuse is the result of a problem, and for the most part, never the cause. If you have a blown fuse, you have other problems that caused it to blow.
The owners manual that came with the Vibe will show where to find the fuses, what to look for if the fuse is blown, and which fuse is for the A\C. All your fuse questions are answered in the owners manual. If you do not have the owners manual , you should be able to find it on line and download it.
The owners manual that came with the Vibe will show where to find the fuses, what to look for if the fuse is blown, and which fuse is for the A\C. All your fuse questions are answered in the owners manual. If you do not have the owners manual , you should be able to find it on line and download it.
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vibrologist
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Re: AC not working - light doesn't come on
Jolt gives you good advise.
In case you find the fuse is good consider this: Most AC systems have a pressure safety switch. If there is a leak and the pressure drops too much the AC will not work. This prevents damage to the compressor.
In case you find the fuse is good consider this: Most AC systems have a pressure safety switch. If there is a leak and the pressure drops too much the AC will not work. This prevents damage to the compressor.
Vibrologist
'05 Vibe
"It is important to know the difference between 'accurate' and 'precise' even if you are neither!"
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=43476
'05 Vibe
"It is important to know the difference between 'accurate' and 'precise' even if you are neither!"
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=43476
Re: AC not working - light doesn't come on
If you do not have a copy of the Vibe owner's manual, you can download a PDF version from viewtopic.php?f=28&t=755" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
There are two fuse blocks, one in an easy to access spot under the hood, along the driver's side fender, and another one placed by a contortionist up under the dash on the driver's side between the steering wheel and the door. Unfortunately, there is an "AC" fuse in the under dash fuse block. Page 5-99 of the 2004 owners manual shows the fuses in the under dash fuse block. It is possible that one is bad.
Some say the only way to truly check a fuse is to put a test meter on it and verify it there is electrical continuity between the two terminals, but I've blown a number of fuses in my Vibe, and every time it was easy to tell it was blown just by looking at it. Inside the colored clear plastic, there should be a band of soft metal. When too much current flows through the fuse, it gets hot and this band of metal melts, breaking the connection.
You said that the blower motor doesn't come on at all, so while there may be other problems, that symptom should be independent of any possible problems with refrigerant stuff.
I don't have a detailed wiring diagram of the heat/AC system for a Vibe. I have a few bits of it for a matrix, which is nearly identical. Looking at what I do have, it seems as though the power for the AC might come through the Heater relay. If that's the same on a Vibe, and since your blower motor isn't working either, it could be something with that relay.
The heater relay is on a small junction block inside the dash above the glove compartment. It's a long shot, but it may be possible that the relay has worked itself loose. (some genvibers have had that problem with the TAIL relay in the same junction block) Here is a picture of the top of that junction box after it has been unbolted and pulled down a bit
(might need to click on the pic to see the whole thing)
The heater relay is the big one, and you should be able take the glove box out, then reach up and over the the junction box and press/pull down on that relay to make sure if it fully seated into the junction box.
The matrix wiring manual shows a HTR fuse feeding the heater relay, and then the AC fuse, but looking in the Vibe owner's manual, I can't find a HTR fuse anywhere. The Matrix info shows it as a big 40 amp fuse in the inconvenient under dash fuse block, to the side of of the part of the fuse block shown in the Vibe owners manual (see attached pic)
No idea of the likelihood of such a thing happening, but I suppose there is a chance that if you said where you are, some genviber may offer to help you look at the car.
There are two fuse blocks, one in an easy to access spot under the hood, along the driver's side fender, and another one placed by a contortionist up under the dash on the driver's side between the steering wheel and the door. Unfortunately, there is an "AC" fuse in the under dash fuse block. Page 5-99 of the 2004 owners manual shows the fuses in the under dash fuse block. It is possible that one is bad.
Some say the only way to truly check a fuse is to put a test meter on it and verify it there is electrical continuity between the two terminals, but I've blown a number of fuses in my Vibe, and every time it was easy to tell it was blown just by looking at it. Inside the colored clear plastic, there should be a band of soft metal. When too much current flows through the fuse, it gets hot and this band of metal melts, breaking the connection.
You said that the blower motor doesn't come on at all, so while there may be other problems, that symptom should be independent of any possible problems with refrigerant stuff.
I don't have a detailed wiring diagram of the heat/AC system for a Vibe. I have a few bits of it for a matrix, which is nearly identical. Looking at what I do have, it seems as though the power for the AC might come through the Heater relay. If that's the same on a Vibe, and since your blower motor isn't working either, it could be something with that relay.
The heater relay is on a small junction block inside the dash above the glove compartment. It's a long shot, but it may be possible that the relay has worked itself loose. (some genvibers have had that problem with the TAIL relay in the same junction block) Here is a picture of the top of that junction box after it has been unbolted and pulled down a bit
(might need to click on the pic to see the whole thing)
The heater relay is the big one, and you should be able take the glove box out, then reach up and over the the junction box and press/pull down on that relay to make sure if it fully seated into the junction box.
The matrix wiring manual shows a HTR fuse feeding the heater relay, and then the AC fuse, but looking in the Vibe owner's manual, I can't find a HTR fuse anywhere. The Matrix info shows it as a big 40 amp fuse in the inconvenient under dash fuse block, to the side of of the part of the fuse block shown in the Vibe owners manual (see attached pic)
No idea of the likelihood of such a thing happening, but I suppose there is a chance that if you said where you are, some genviber may offer to help you look at the car.
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Re: AC not working - light doesn't come on
Thanks for the replies. Guess I'll have to grit my teeth and take the Vibe to a mechanic..don't think I'm capable of fixing the problem myself. I'm in Rhinebeck, NY.