GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I found a use for the left side compartment. I installed a black push button (Radio Shack) in one of the blank spaces above the compartment. I wired from it to a garage door opener stored in the compartment. It looks like it belongs (more or less) and is a lot easier trying to remember which of the many compartments I stored the opener.I can post a picture if you are interested.

quote:I can post a picture if you are interested.Please do. It would be appreciated.

This is a radio shack button which cost about $2.50. You have to open your garage door opener and solder the button wires across the appropiate spot on your opener. You can test which but placing a wire across the suspected points. If the door moves, it is the right ones. Try not to have your car under the door during this operation.

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It could be a good idea to "tie wrap" the remote under the dash. This will avoid some rattles and give you back the compartment.

Nice job, Cajun.

I agree tucking the remote behind the dash would be better. But remember you occasionally have to replace batteries in those remotes, so keeping it in the flip-open compartment is probably gonna prove the easiest. And I know radio shack has lots of switch styles. It would be nice to find a useable switch that looks "factory", and simply replaces the whole panel opening.KSNeptune

Well how about relocating the battery to a more accessable location. That way the remote can be permanently stowed away.

I started in the direction of using car power (my remote has a small 12 volt battery). I had wired it to do it that way.I decided I was over doing it. It is a hassle to find a power source, tap into it and then store it all somewhere you will remember.The door on the small compartment has a REAL flimsly latching mechanism. I decided it was better to close it and not open it too often.Bill

nice..ive been wondering what i could do with those blank panels on the drivers side...

I've got my next project!Thanks Cajun for the idea...

sweet job, ive never actually put anything in that compartment...

I really like Cajun's idea but I didn't want the switch for my garage door to be quite so visible so I made a slight alteration. I turned the silly coin holder upside down and installed a small pushbutton swith inside. I then wired it to the garage door opener which is wire-tied up under the dashboard as mentioned in another post (with a new battery installed). As you can see in the photo, I'm hoping the casual observer would not even notice the switch.

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Sorry, here's the other photo

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That's quite ingenious!

And I always thought they put that clip on the opener so you could put it on the visor and not have to remember where you put it...

This is a great idea. While checking on all the great things about the Vibe/Matrix on the web I also came across this switchhttp://www.oznium.com/gsw-45If it fits the Matrix I think it should also fit the Vibe. I ordered two today (one on/off and one momentary). I'll let you know how they work when they come in.

I have two garages with two different openers. I installed two of the N.O. momentary switches from Radio Shack ($2.69 ea.) and zip tied the two remotes to a wire loom behind the aforementioned left side compartment. Now my compartment is empty and I simply push the top button to open the door on my detached garage and the bottom button for the door on the house. Thanks for the idea Cajun! PlatinumVibe08

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I've seen this item on eBay go for around $20This panel can be installed on the headliner, thereby freeing storage compartments and the need to change the battery. I went a slightly different route and got an autodimming mirror with Homelink built in:

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