GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

So I, like many others, have had some shifting issues with my 2003 GT. They have gotten steadily worse over the last few weeks. The clutch seems to grab really well, but shifting from 2nd th 3rd has been an issue. Now it is doing something far more ugly.When I approach a stop at an intersection, downshift to first gear, and depress the clutch pedal, the car starts jumping like the clutch is partially out and it is going to die. If I put it into neutral, I can not get it back into gear. Let the honking begin. Even if I depress the pedal as far as possible (so far in fact that it feels like I am trying to ram it through the floor) it still happens..........but all of this is intermittent. A few days ago, I could not remove the car from reverse. All of these things feel like there is something in the way of the shifter fully engaging, or like the clutch is not fully releasing.I have passed the 36K warranty...now what? Am I in for one hell of a bill, or do any of you guys have advice for me?I am nervous

definatly a transmission issue if its not going into certain gears but the clutch seems to engage going into others. My advice would be if you can't do the work yourself, go to a place that can at a reasonable price. Keep in mind sometimes replacing the transmission as opposed to overhauling it can be cheaper. Also keep in mind if you buy a rebuilt transmission, only get one that comes with a warranty. I know WOLF transmissions had a 4 year -80,000km warranty on replacement ones I had to get for vehicles back in my GM days.With yours, only somewhat educated guess would be the 1st through to 3rd transmission syncros or gears are coming apart...

Just a thought, but have you checked your hydraulic fluid level?Might just be low and causing the clutch to only partially disengage.It sounds more like a clutch issue than a tranny issue. If it were the synchros, it would only have troubles while tranny is spinning. Something is keeping the clutch engaged and the tranny turning while the clutch pedal is in.

Quote »It sounds more like a clutch issue than a tranny issue. If it were the synchros, it would only have troubles while tranny is spinning. Something is keeping the clutch engaged and the tranny turning while the clutch pedal is in. I agree, sounds like a dying clutch to me.

Check your hydrolic fluid resevoir. It sounds like your clutch isn't releasing completely or something more serious. Your problem isn't an indication of normal clutch wear where it doesn't engage completely.

The hydraulic levels seem OK, but I am suspicious of a clog in the line or maybe a pedal adjustment...the toyota service guys said there was supposed to be about 1/2" of play in the pedal when released, but mine is solid.It is the intermitent part that is so damn frustrating

I don't know about a clog in the line (I would tend to think that would be a constant problem) but I wouldn't rule out air in the line or a hydraulic cylinder.To me, and I could be way off, it does sound like some failure of the hydraulic system.

Perhaps the release bearing is starting to go out?Jim

here's what the matrix manual lists as possible causes for the clutch not disengaging1. Clutch pedal (Free play out of adjustment)2. Clutch line (Air in line)3. Master cylinder cup (Damaged)4. Release cylinder cup (Damaged)5. Clutch disc assy (Out of true)6. Clutch disc assy (Runout of excessive)7. Clutch disc assy (Lining broken)8. Clutch disc assy (Dirty or burned)9. Clutch disc assy (Oily)10.Clutch disc assy (Lack of spline grease)

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »here's what the matrix manual lists as possible causes for the clutch not disengaging1. Clutch pedal (Free play out of adjustment)2. Clutch line (Air in line)3. Master cylinder cup (Damaged)4. Release cylinder cup (Damaged)5. Clutch disc assy (Out of true)6. Clutch disc assy (Runout of excessive)7. Clutch disc assy (Lining broken)8. Clutch disc assy (Dirty or burned)9. Clutch disc assy (Oily)10.Clutch disc assy (Lack of spline grease)Whoa! Thanks a million! The first one on this list was what the guys from toyota service said too...the said my pedal was acting like it had no free play...which is wierd, because I would think that the clutch not disengaging would be related to the length of travel of the plunger driving the master cylinder. If there is play it would not push as far...does my logic seem nuts here?

I had that issue once many years ago, it turn out to be a half blown clutch lining. I do think the clutch pedal freeplay could cause it if there was alot of freeplay.I wonder how you adjust it with a hyd assy., I didn't think you could except for bleeding the lines.

There is a funky little adjuster on the end of the shaft that connects the pedal on one end and the master cylinder on the other end. This shaft is threaded. MY problem is there is NO freeplay. Kind of wondering what that switch at the end of the pedal when the pedal is let out controls. I know what the one on the pedal when it is depressed in does, that controls the start relay (denying starting the car unless the pedal is depressed) but what does the other one do?

Quote, originally posted by idontknowwhatimdoing »Kind of wondering what that switch at the end of the pedal when the pedal is let out controls. I know what the one on the pedal when it is depressed in does, that controls the start relay (denying starting the car unless the pedal is depressed) but what does the other one do?That one turns off the cruise control, when you step on the clutch.

Quote, originally posted by 03VibeGT6Spd »That one turns off the cruise control, when you step on the clutch.OK....clears that up....Thanks!

don't know what they mean in this pdf about turn over, unless that means measurements referenced to the floor with the carpet in place or with carpet turned over and out of the way?

Attached files a040001.pdf (20.8 KB) 

EXCELLENT!!!! Where did that come from and how can I get a copy of the entire thing?