Vibe AWD 2006(base) - 3,000RPM/40-60MPH Issue

Discuss any problems, warranty, repair, or replacement issues you are having with your Vibe & Matrix
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NewbVibe
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2015 5:12 pm

Vibe AWD 2006(base) - 3,000RPM/40-60MPH Issue

Post by NewbVibe »

I've recently got a 2006 Vibe from a family friend, they claimed everything was good about it but when I brought it home and checked the fluids and the basic stuff. I found barely no engine oil and plugs were a bit worn out/hot.

Anyway, my current dilemma is that when I am driving it seems to have no power to it. First gear seems/feels fine. But when I get closer to 40mph the RPM can continue to climb till 60mph or so but than instantly drops just under 3,000RPM. Not going any higher unless I slam the gas pedal all the way down. I was playing with the O/D yesterday and it seemed to free up the RPM if I turned O/D off.

I did bring it in to Firestone for a diagnostic check. They went through and didn't find anything wrong. Sensors seemed good, battery was fine(thus the alternator), spark plugs were alright, coil packs were as well. The only thing they couldn't check was the fuel pressure/line, they couldn't disconnect the quick connect by the engine. So they assumed it might be corroded and restricting fuel?

I went back after I played with my Overdrive(O/D), the next day. They didn't think it would be a fuel issue but more of a transmission issue? Sticky O/D or just a bad internal issue? Any help would be great, I'd rather narrow down exactly what the issue may be instead of throwing more money into a diagnostic check again.
bluneon
Posts: 168
Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:04 am

Re: Vibe AWD 2006(base) - 3,000RPM/40-60MPH Issue

Post by bluneon »

pretty sure it's because the car has a few hundred pounds of extra drivetrain being awd.

test drive a fwd vibe or matrix and feel how much more responsive the car will be. even a corolla seems peppier.
jolt
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Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota

Re: Vibe AWD 2006(base) - 3,000RPM/40-60MPH Issue

Post by jolt »

Does the motor burn/use oil? You said "barely no engine oil". Wondering if cat may be partially plugged, which can lead to loss of power and rpm's. If anything do not take your car to a tire store for this type of problem.
lannvouivre
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Re: Vibe AWD 2006(base) - 3,000RPM/40-60MPH Issue

Post by lannvouivre »

jolt wrote:Does the motor burn/use oil? You said "barely no engine oil". Wondering if cat may be partially plugged, which can lead to loss of power and rpm's. If anything do not take your cat to a tire store for this type of problem.
Firestone also has a mechanic shop.
"If you don't love me at my diddliest, you don't deserve me at my doodliest." - User ktluvscricket of reddit
NewbVibe
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2015 5:12 pm

Re: Vibe AWD 2006(base) - 3,000RPM/40-60MPH Issue

Post by NewbVibe »

Firestone does have an actual mechanic shop. More than just tires.

What do you mean by Cat? Catalytic Converter? Would that not throw a code or no? Also not a expert or anything, but since the RPM seem fine when I'm in first gear but when I get into higher speeds the RPM just drops bellow 3,000rpm, just bellow that.
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kumquat
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Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2013 9:01 am

Re: Vibe AWD 2006(base) - 3,000RPM/40-60MPH Issue

Post by kumquat »

The gearing in the Vibe is weird. On my '09 1.8L, there's a power band it just doesn't produce normally. Slightly uphill, it cannot maintain 60-70 mph. It's either in 4th and slows down or it's in 3rd and speeds up. I've read a number of comments on this board that seem to support the poor A/T programming as well.
NewbVibe
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2015 5:12 pm

Re: Vibe AWD 2006(base) - 3,000RPM/40-60MPH Issue

Post by NewbVibe »

Does yours also drop down a bit under 3,000rpm after it hits 40mph or so?
ehoff121
Posts: 756
Joined: Mon Feb 26, 2007 12:19 am
Location: Conn.

Re: Vibe AWD 2006(base) - 3,000RPM/40-60MPH Issue

Post by ehoff121 »

Welcome to genvibe!

I've got a 2005 AWD- the only difference between our cars is the drive-by-wire throttle.

How many miles do you have on it? Has the transmission fluid ever been changed? Differential and transfer case oil? Air filter? MAF sensor cleaned? All could be overdue. Plugs should be done at 90,000 miles. I do engine oil & filter (synthetic) every 5,000, but don't see much oil consumption.

Not sure if I can tell you something is wrong based on your description- where were you when this happened? street or highway?

From a dead stop to highway speed, a typical tach reading for me (from memory, so it may be off) goes like this-

- gas pedal half down (per owner's manual-- not supposed to floor it): 3,500-4,500 up to 65 mph
- let off gas, overdrive kicks in: 2,500 - 3,000 up to 70 mph.

0-60 mph is around 10 secs, give or take. Not a GT by any means, but it gets into traffic just fine.

Turning off overdrive will kick up the rpm's, but it will kill your gas mileage. I only turn mine off when going down a steep hill.
2005 Pontiac Vibe AWD - Platinum
Nasmfell
Posts: 364
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 5:48 pm

Re: Vibe AWD 2006(base) - 3,000RPM/40-60MPH Issue

Post by Nasmfell »

NewbVibe wrote:I've recently got a 2006 Vibe from a family friend, they claimed everything was good about it but when I brought it home and checked the fluids and the basic stuff. I found barely no engine oil and plugs were a bit worn out/hot.

Anyway, my current dilemma is that when I am driving it seems to have no power to it. First gear seems/feels fine. But when I get closer to 40mph the RPM can continue to climb till 60mph or so but than instantly drops just under 3,000RPM. Not going any higher unless I slam the gas pedal all the way down. I was playing with the O/D yesterday and it seemed to free up the RPM if I turned O/D off.

I did bring it in to Firestone for a diagnostic check. They went through and didn't find anything wrong. Sensors seemed good, battery was fine(thus the alternator), spark plugs were alright, coil packs were as well. The only thing they couldn't check was the fuel pressure/line, they couldn't disconnect the quick connect by the engine. So they assumed it might be corroded and restricting fuel?

I went back after I played with my Overdrive(O/D), the next day. They didn't think it would be a fuel issue but more of a transmission issue? Sticky O/D or just a bad internal issue? Any help would be great, I'd rather narrow down exactly what the issue may be instead of throwing more money into a diagnostic check again.
Maybe time to sell, Not enough engine to handle AWD.
Nasmfell
Posts: 364
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 5:48 pm

Re: Vibe AWD 2006(base) - 3,000RPM/40-60MPH Issue

Post by Nasmfell »

Nasmfell wrote:
NewbVibe wrote:I've recently got a 2006 Vibe from a family friend, they claimed everything was good about it but when I brought it home and checked the fluids and the basic stuff. I found barely no engine oil and plugs were a bit worn out/hot.

Anyway, my current dilemma is that when I am driving it seems to have no power to it. First gear seems/feels fine. But when I get closer to 40mph the RPM can continue to climb till 60mph or so but than instantly drops just under 3,000RPM. Not going any higher unless I slam the gas pedal all the way down. I was playing with the O/D yesterday and it seemed to free up the RPM if I turned O/D off.

I did bring it in to Firestone for a diagnostic check. They went through and didn't find anything wrong. Sensors seemed good, battery was fine(thus the alternator), spark plugs were alright, coil packs were as well. The only thing they couldn't check was the fuel pressure/line, they couldn't disconnect the quick connect by the engine. So they assumed it might be corroded and restricting fuel?

I went back after I played with my Overdrive(O/D), the next day. They didn't think it would be a fuel issue but more of a transmission issue? Sticky O/D or just a bad internal issue? Any help would be great, I'd rather narrow down exactly what the issue may be instead of throwing more money into a diagnostic check again.
Maybe time to sell, Not enough engine to handle AWD. In this instance it was a dumb move on both Toyota and GM to offer AWD not only the exact same engine,with less power than FWD.
circuitsmith
Posts: 242
Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2011 11:26 pm

Re: Vibe AWD 2006(base) - 3,000RPM/40-60MPH Issue

Post by circuitsmith »

Nasmfell wrote:Not enough engine to handle AWD. In this instance it was a dumb move on both Toyota and GM to offer AWD not only the exact same engine,with less power than FWD.
A cheap move, I'd say. They lure in the car buyer that thinks he/she needs AWD (most don't IMHO).
They slap it in in the simplest way they could.
There's also the smaller gas tank to go with the lower MPGs.
2006 Matrix 5-sp
NewbVibe
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2015 5:12 pm

Re: Vibe AWD 2006(base) - 3,000RPM/40-60MPH Issue

Post by NewbVibe »

Ended up doing a spill and fill for the tranny fluid. It was black and basically like water. They say I'll need a new tranny or the current one repaired.

I'm assuming it'll be cheaper and propably quicker to just replace the tranny with a new/used one. Where about can I like on the net for this?
bluneon
Posts: 168
Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:04 am

Re: Vibe AWD 2006(base) - 3,000RPM/40-60MPH Issue

Post by bluneon »

the first gen awd vibes were not performance vehicles. a 1.8L engine with an awd exhaust manifold is more restricted because of how it's routed around the transfer assembly, this brings horsepower & torque down. add the extra weight of the drivetrain and it's power to weight ratio is horrible. first gen awd vibes are pigs, brisk acceleration isn't what they're known for.

verify that there is an actual problem with the vehicle. don't throw money at the car when there never was a problem in the first place.

find another similar awd vibe that's listed for sale. test drive and compare. if it's doing the same thing, then there probably isn't a problem. want another opinion? test drive another one.

based on your description i don't think there is anything wrong with your vibe.
bluneon
Posts: 168
Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:04 am

Re: Vibe AWD 2006(base) - 3,000RPM/40-60MPH Issue

Post by bluneon »

NewbVibe
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2015 5:12 pm

Re: Vibe AWD 2006(base) - 3,000RPM/40-60MPH Issue

Post by NewbVibe »

Yes. I'm not throwing any money into the car toward that issue. I've only got opinions from other techs/mechanics.

By the way, is there a mod for the exhaust?
NewbVibe
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2015 5:12 pm

Re: Vibe AWD 2006(base) - 3,000RPM/40-60MPH Issue

Post by NewbVibe »

Another question.

Rear differential. When I get the seals replaced, is it a good idea to replace all the gears inside as well? Since they've got everything gutted for it aleady.
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