GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Okay, so I am fairly new to a decent car and had my vibe's battery die on me two nights ago. Got to go to work yesterday and went to start it and the keyless entry wouldn't let me in, nor would the vibe unlock with my key. It took a bit of trying, finally got in using key and went to start 2003 Vibe and its DEAD! Got ride to work, had my brother look at car. Told him to jump it - he did.... now it starts for a few minutes or so and shuts off - also have no guage lights, stereo, no lights and it won't let him out of park. Appears to be a security hang up. NEED HELP!! I would like to avoid taking to dealer as per money! They would have to tow, reset system, ect. Is there anything I can do??

First thing I would check is fuses. There is one in the engine compartment called "DOME" which controls the interior lights, gauges, audio system, and the remote keyless entry system.

try tightening the negative battery cable REAL tight... and if that doesn't work then try the positive...i was having the same problem... another thing to try is to check the positive and negative terminals and if they have an salty looking deposit on them pour some coke on them. good luck bud... if that doesn't work i'd take out the battery and have it checked, if it's good then you're probably SOL and your alternator is bad

Okay - any idea if this is a security thing or not?? Doesn't make sense to me that the car would start and then die after a few minutes from a loose battery cable. (Well, maybe...) My brothers vehicle had a security problem on it before and it would start, then the security light would come on and it would die. Only lasted a few minutes each time. Also, the DOME fuse wouldn't make the car not run, would it? Will give them both a try this afternoon.

I don't think the Vibe has any security features like that...at least not by default from the factory. There is an optional security system available from the factory but I am not familiar with its features. I'd say it's probably the alternator, which will also make the car die...basically something is not allowing the battery to charge, which could be a loose battery cable or the alternator.

Okay, will give those a try. What about the anti-theft feature in all newer vehicles?

I don't think there is a mandatory anti-theft feature in all new vehicles...I know GM's usually have one, but at core, the Vibe is not a GM vehicle -- it's a Toyota. So the normal "security" feature that all GM vehicles come with (shutting off the fuel if there is no key, I believe) isn't something that was included with the Vibe as far as I know.

Sounds like a classic case of a dead battery, especially if is the winnie original battery. Take the battery out, charge it, then load test it. Or if it is a 3 year old battery...just replace it.

Any tell tale signs that it is for sure the alternator? (Once I check the battery cables and fuses?)

If or when you get it running, turn on lights, fan, rear defroster to put a good load on the electrical system. When you rev the engine the lights should get brighter, if not your alternator may be bad. Get it checked before you replace it. A lot of auto parts stores will do it for free. There are 4 on Ebay for $30.00 to $50.00.

then again i just realized you're up in wyoming near my grandma, if you have the factory battery that could very well be the problem as the standard battery only had about 305 or 310 cold cranking amps, one of the weakest batteries ever made, worked ok in warm climates but in cold climates it is a no-start waiting to happengood luck again

If you have a hand held volt meter it is fairly easy. If not, a trip to the local parts place where they can check you charging sytem/battery for free.A battery in good condition will read about 12.8 vdc when the vehicle is not running.While engine is running and alternator is working correctly you should see 14-16 vdc.A battery hydrometer is the most accurate way to gauge when to change your battery before it fails.As a thumb rule if you are going to replaceing your battery with the same type lead/acid, just put in a new one every 2 years. This way you will never have to be inconvienced or have the chance of a jump start causing other problems with either vehicle. I would recomend a Optima red top battery if you want to run it till it dies. The Optima will probably outlast the car and will not corrode the engine compartment with acidic fumes.Just my $.02

Thats when all of this started! The cold Wyoming weather! Have decided to change the battery as it is still factory and 3 years old. Also, plugged in vehicle this morning (when my sister in law found my block heater!) and the vehicle did start for awhile. Then it slowly dies. Found some blown fuses - will change those, too. The first one I found was the DOME fuse, then the AMP. (Both under hood). Next I went to price out batteries, came back, and tried to start vehicle to no avail. I finally did hear a clicking noise. Hoping that battery is the solution with a few new fuses instead of alternator, but feel more relieved to hear the clicking.

Check the fuses under the dash as well. Definitely sounds like you might have some more blown...

It sounds to me like your battery is dead....and possibly your charging system is not working. Your car runs until the little bit of electricity stored in your old battery is used up. Normally even with an old battery your charging system will keep the car running after it has been started.If you leave your car hooked up to the battery of the car providing the jump to get your car started.....does it continue to run? Have you tried using a volt meter to see if your battery is reading over 14 volts when running and the alternator is charging? Have your tried charging your battery with a battery charger?Dave

I would worry that something got "fried" during the jump start.

Dead battery and dead fuses, and the car just dying after already started.. Makes me think there's something very major wrong. It does sound like the charging system took a major hit somehow..As said, check ALL fuses, get a new battery (like you wanted)A quick way to check the alternator (other than the voltmeter) is to start the car, then disconnect the positive terminal from the battery. If the car dies right away, something with your alternator is hosed. If not, keep looking.

Like others have stated the original battery is small and does not have enough Cold Cranking Amps for really cold weather. The only way to tell is completely remove the battery and have it tested. It may also be frozen, batteries can freeze and it has happened to me before. The alternator is most likely fine and if it were bad or weak you probably would have noticed something related before this event. My guess is the battery died from the cold... You stated it is three years old but what is your mileage?I also hope the jump was done correctly, if not damage could have been done to the alternator. If the alt is bad, than that could explain why it runs for a few minutes and than cuts off; it would be then running off the battery alone until it kills the battery again, jump after jump.

Kick (removed)!!! Turns out the battery was dead and was the original. Yes.... I live in Wyoming and went and bought the MAXX battery with the most cold cranking amps. Also in the process found out that I do have a block heater and just now have to plug it in each night! Had my sister-in-law take a look at my car when the battery was replaced and she found out my DOME fuse was burned out and also one of my fusable links under the hood in the same compartment. This was the 100 AMP. Funny how that works! She fixed it all and I was on my way to work within about an hour! Thank you all for your input and help! I'm sure I'll be back!

Quote, originally posted by melissa’svibe » I'm sure I'll be back!i feel used;) all she wanted us for is to fix her up and then she's gone jkgood to hear that you are back up and running... as i've said before stupid pontiac trying to shave price and giving poopy batteries

yea i agree the battery is too weak, my car is barely starting in this -20 weather