GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Hi Forum Members, got a '03 Vibe GT, got a problem with the recycle button for the a/c. Had to defrost the front window 2 days ago, recylce button went from green light to no light(pulling air from outside car). Now I can't turn recycle button back with the a/c on to illuminate the green button. Has anyone run into this problem?If so how did you resolve?jjhendri

Correct.Per the owner's manual, recirculate mode is DEACTIVATED automatically when using defrosting, in order to prevent condensation. Once you turn the knob out of the last two postiions (window/floor defrost and window defrost only), the recirc button should be useable again (you will need to press it down again).

Hi ragingfish, thanks for the post but pressed it down again but it does not enage to stay lit.jjhenri

I thought that when you switched into the defrost mode, or the half defrtst mode, it would turn off the recirc if it was on, but that you could turn the recirc back on if you wanted to. Now, I'm not sure, because in the 2+ years I've had mine, the only time I ever used recirc was to turn it on, and then turn to defrost just to watch it turn off the recirc. Something to play with on a long boring drive, but have never actually used the recirc to heat up faster. I will have to check it out in a little while when I finally get to drive home from work today.

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »I thought that when you switched into the defrost mode, or the half defrtst mode, it would turn off the recirc if it was on, but that you could turn the recirc back on if you wanted to. Now, I'm not sure, because in the 2+ years I've had mine, the only time I ever used recirc was to turn it on, and then turn to defrost just to watch it turn off the recirc. Something to play with on a long boring drive, but have never actually used the recirc to heat up faster. I will have to check it out in a little while when I finally get to drive home from work today. You can't turn it back on. The cable from the HVAC knob disables the recirc switch catch - so it pops out and won't stay in if pushed back.

So what's the solution for a fix? Something easy that I can do, or does this become a manufacturer's defect? If defect and out of warranty, what's my next step? Is this a similiar problem with the Matrix or did Toyo solve this with a recall for a better switch?jjhendri

on my 03 vibe, if I press the recirc button, it lights up and stays lit. If I switch to defrotst or half defrost, the recirc button pops out, but I can push it in again and it stays in and lit (until I either turn it back off or move the air position dial)Does your recirc button not work at all if you are in defrost (or half defrost) but does when you are in heat or vent, or is your recirc button affected by the AC button even when you are in heat or vent position?

You indicated: Does your recirc button not work at all if you are in defrost (or half defrost).... It does not work in this mode. You indicated: is your recirc button affected by the AC button even when you are in heat or vent position? yes it is also affected in this mode?jjhendri

so, the only time your recirc does actually work is when you are in heat or vent, and the AC is off. That doesn't sound normal, but I guess you already knew that Just out of curiosity, has it always been this way, or is it something that recently developed?I would guess that it is the switch module, the one with the AC and recirc buttons. I assume that you, like me, are past warranty. The switch module is pretty easy to get to and replace. You could buy a new one from a dealer, you might get a better price from a Toyota dealer, lie and tell them it's for an 03 matrix or you'll spend a half hour educating them that the VIbe and matrix share most parts. Sometimes they show up on ebay for Vibe or matrix interior parts, but I don't see any there today. I have no idea what a new one would cost. Would be easier to buy one if you could be sure that would fix the problem.only other thing I could think to try would be to pop off the radio trim bezel so you can access the switch module, and make sure that the electrical connectors are seated properly, maybe unplug and reconnect them. There is also the mechanical wire cable that runs from the air position selector, you could try disconnecting that from the back of the switch module to see if somehow that is sticking and messing up the recirc button. on mine, when I switch to one of the defrost modes, the recirc button actually pops out. When you are in vent with recirc on, and you turn on the AC, does the recirc button pop out or just the recirc light goes out?

Quote, originally posted by joatmon » When you are in vent with recirc on, and you turn on the AC, does the recirc button pop out or just the recirc light goes out?That's the true test right there... Since there are both mechanical linkages and electrical stuff involved. I'd say check the electrical connections, and maybe even pop off the cable. Test it with the cable off to see if there is any difference.If you push the recirc button in and it stays, but no light, we're dealing with electrical. If the recirc button does not stay held down (and perhaps the light comes on when it is pushed in) it's something mechanical.I've noticed mine refuses to click in if the mode knob is between one of the defrost positions. You just push the button, and it springs back up. Move it to somewhere that's not halfway between a position for defrost, and it will stay in. Until you move the dial again...The P/N for the switch is 88970583 I believe. Yes, I've had that replaced too.

Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »I've noticed mine refuses to click in if the mode knob is between one of the defrost positions. You just push the button, and it springs back up. Move it to somewhere that's not halfway between a position for defrost, and it will stay in. Until you move the dial again...That's normal operation, actually. It will also pop out if you switch from A/C to defrost with the fan in any of the "on" positions, as I get forced to do often on rainy days in the summer. It gets really tiring to have to switch back and forth 4 times on the drive home, and have to turn recirc back on every single time...

Quote, originally posted by Kari »That's normal operation, actually. Yeah, I know. lol!

And, as Ragingfish said..if you have the recirc active with the defroster running, it doesn't work as well. It actually HELPS the condensation on the windshield.

That it does... And from previous experience, if you leave it on constantly, the air inside will become very nasty. All that extra moisture constantly being circulated seemed to have caused mold and other funk to grow in the A/C components in the last car I had.

Hi Forum Members, thanks for All the post so how do I get the radio trim bezel off to test this to see what sort of problem I got(mech or electrical)?Yeah the air with the recirc off stinks inside the car.... thought it was the filter....got 51K, so thought about changing the filter anyway. Thanks for the part# in the earlier post ColonelPanic . Right now recirc does not stay in whether a/c is on or not. jjhendri

My GT is modified, the electrical connector removed from the defroster selector so it doesn't force the A/C to turn on in the two defrost positions. (Note that a defrost selection turns on the A/C without turning on the A/C light, because some engineer thinks he is smarter than you. ) Anyhow, mine now seems to be able to turn on any combination of recirc or A/C in any selector position. I don't recall what it did before removing the connector.Learn more about this feature: http://home.comcast.net/~vibeowner/hidden.htm

The plug on the back of the A/C controls under the radio is to turn on the compressor when it's in defrost. If it's disconnected, the compressor won't turn on without the A/C control being physically pressed.The recirc disable is a physical push-style cable that's connected between the air selection dial and the recirc button.

Quote, originally posted by jjhendri »so how do I get the radio trim bezel off to test this to see what sort of problem I got(mech or electrical)? http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=10134