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Victory over the buzzing noise, and how to remove dashboard
Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2003 1:13 pm
by vibe owner
Ah, so sweet to be rid of that intermittent buzzing noise! Pretty sure mine was the cruise control circuit shaking on its single-screw mount. You might be able to get at it from below, but the sure way is to remove the upper dashboard. All the gory details with photos athttp://vibeowner.home.comcast.net/
Re: Victory over the buzzing noise, and how to remove dashboard (vibe owner)
Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2003 2:57 pm
by Vibe
EXCELLENT SOURCE OF REFERENCE!!!! and info. I printed it all out for future reference. Thanks for sharing! James
Re: Victory over the buzzing noise, and how to remove dashboard (vibe owner)
Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2003 11:31 pm
by DABEAR95
Make sure that you do use your AC every month or so or you may have problems in the spring when you go to use it. I think this is part of the reason the AC is tied in with the defroster. To reduce fogging and to extend the life of the AC compressor.Jason
Re: Victory over the buzzing noise, and how to remove dashboard (vibe owner)
Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2003 3:38 am
by baltimore17
On the underside of the removed dash pad, he's noted the cursed DRL light sensor. I wonder how easy it would be to relocate it to mount just inside the defroster vent, also seen in that view. You'd have to cut a small entry hole into the defroster duct, visible in that mass of clutter in the picture of the completely disassembled dashboard. At least the sensor would then be away from the shadows from the windshield pillers. I wonder if the defroster heat would fry the sensor.I offer this suggestion with no courage to bell this particular cat. The disassembly looks daunting and (knock on wood), I have no bad rattles or vibrations yet.
Re: Victory over the buzzing noise, and how to remove dashboard (AtWork)
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2003 10:31 am
by ragingfish
vibe owner:since you figured out how to remove the gauge cluster trim, did you figure out a way to take off the tinted plastic? i removed the cluster trim, but couldn't figure out how to remove the tinted plastic...i would love to see pontiac offer a clear, or at least more transparent, gauge plastic...mike
Re: Victory over the buzzing noise, and how to remove dashboard (ragingfish)
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2003 11:11 am
by vibe owner
The tinted plastic is half the structure of the instrument cluster -- you would need a similar clear replacement part. Doubt if it is available in any other tints.
Re: Victory over the buzzing noise, and how to remove dashboard (vibe owner)
Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2003 1:30 am
by ragingfish
quote:The tinted plastic is half the structure of the instrument cluster -- you would need a similar clear replacement part. Doubt if it is available in any other tints.It actually makes up the structure? Damn.
Re: Victory over the buzzing noise, and how to remove dashboard (ragingfish)
Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2003 7:34 am
by ragingfish
Has anyone ever been to a plastic molding shop that they can recommend? I know most will probably not be within my driving distance, but at least I could call and get an idea of what kind of price I'm lookin at. Thanks!Mike
Re: Victory over the buzzing noise, and how to remove dashboard (silverawd26)
Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2003 8:12 am
by ragingfish
Oops.Well, I accidentally dropped the plastic cover tonight and it shattered. Not impact resistant plastic unfortunatley. DOH! Can someone with a service/parts manual give me the part number for this piece? Just in case I can't find a company to reasonably make me a new one, I want to have the info to replace this one with a factory one. Thanks all!
Re: Victory over the buzzing noise, and how to remove dashboard (silverawd26)
Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2003 9:04 am
by ragingfish
Don't worry. I couldn't help but laugh either! ROFL! It was just too ironic.
Re: Victory over the buzzing noise, and how to remove dashboard (silverawd26)
Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2003 1:46 am
by ragingfish
Update on the recently deceased cluster lens.I called 4 dealers, they all said the cluster lens is not sold separately, and I would have to replace the entire cluster gauge: $500.I thought that sounded strange, so I called the source, Pontiac. Got a WONDERFULLY nice woman who took the time to look it up...anyway, she was unable to find information that contradicted what I had been told by the dealers. She was kind enough to call my selling dealer, who said he would call some AC/Delco repair shops that repair the gauges, and see if they had an extra. Result: 0My dealer is continuing to look for SOME way to find me a lens cheap, or possibly even deem it "warrantable" and get me a new gauge for free. Pontiac and Dealer tag-team support: priceless. I shall keep y'all posted.
Re: Victory over the buzzing noise, and how to remove dashboard (silverawd26)
Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:31 am
by ragingfish
Got the bad news today. I have to bring my vibe in and leave it for a week. They can't just order a new cluster, the cluster itself has to be sent out. (removed) it. I called the local junkyards silver...20 actually...all over the state, and some in PA and NY, none had any vibes where the dash wasn't damaged. Few had any vibes at all.So I lose my vibe for a week, but I guess I can get some little repairs done.
Re: Victory over the buzzing noise, and how to remove dashboard (ragingfish)
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2003 11:06 am
by ragingfish
Update:Got my car back! The dealer thought he'd have to have it for a week. Turns out the parts division overnighted him a new set of gauges, and they replaced it! UNDER WARRANTY! WOOHOO!!I read the invoice after, upon which the dealer noted "replaced gauge assembly in the interest of customer satisfaction. Hey, whatever you wanna call it! Problem RESOLVED!
Re: Victory over the buzzing noise, and how to remove dashboard (ragingfish)
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2003 12:43 pm
by vibe owner
You must have incredible karma, or great puppydog eyes...
Re: Victory over the buzzing noise, and how to remove dashboard (vibe owner)
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2003 2:02 pm
by ragingfish
Def karma in this case.

I don't do the sad puppy deal.