GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

So in march i bought my very 1st car a 99 chrysler LHS. this is such a sweet car to drive-----when it not in the shop----I've had to replace the Rack & Pinion, drivers side window, P/S pump, and the a/c went 2.5 months ago. Now the other day i was going to meet up with a few of the crew and I came up to a red light which turned green before I got to there, so I took the outside lane pressed down on the gas and POP!! and the car goes dead-----the only things working were the lights and the radio. its was mighty damn hard to stop with the power gone to the brakes.I was told that maybe my battery died, but while i was driving??anywaysit now sits in the back waiting for me to raise the funds to repair it.............againdoes this sound right? or any other suggestionsplease help

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Quote, originally posted by heha »does this sound right? or any other suggestionsUm, its a Chrysler... that sounds about right.Seriously though my friend has a 2002 Chrysler van and has spent somewhere in the region of $5000 on repairs that don't fall under warranty. So as soon as I hear car problems and Chrysler, I just think "well thats par for the course."

Did it actually make a POP sound?Two things come to mind (and both happened to me with my Mitsubishi Expo). Either a broken timing belt/chain (which would possibly make a popping sound) or a blown ECU (which, if it shorted, might well have made a popping sound). I doubt the battery died, as you had radio+lights.

yeah no the belt is still there it was the first thing i looked at, the ECU?? damn that sounds expensive......again

Timing belt / chain isn't the same as the accessory belt. I don't think you can see the timing belt just out in the engine compartment, but I could be wrong.Even if your battery died, the alternator would be able to keep the car going while it was running. If it was anything electrical it'd be one of the computers.

I'd say the same as the others.. something in the timing came apart.

Oh boy, sorry for the luck and your car! I know you were excited when you got it!No it is not the battery...I would have to check if you car has one or is it controlled elsewhere but it could be the ignition module. The module will not pop when it fails though. Does it crank over at all? If it cranks but will just not start it also could be the fuel pump. Bad crank position sensor could be at fault too. The pop you heard could have been the engine dying on its last stroke? And like others stated, the chain or belt could have broke. The 2.7L has a timing chain and the 3.5L has a timing belt both are under covers you cannot see them when you open the hood. Which engine do you have?I also do not believe either the 2.7L or 3.5L engines are Interference engines. Meaning if they were, when the pistons are on their last stroke and before it dies it can smash the valves since they drop when the chain or belt breaks! This is bad! However I am 99% sure yours is not an interference engine. Not knowing your mileage, Chrysler states 100,000 changes for the timing belts.

I dont know much about the innerds of an engine but if the timing belt broke wouldnt he get a few missfires before it died instead of just dieing in a split second?

I have the 3.5L , the engine does try to turn, but to no avail. The tow truck driver said it could be my fuel pump, but not to sure. otherwise I was told it couldve been me ECU. Yeah I just passed the 100,000km point and was hoping to get a tune and oild change in the next few weeks.......

Quote, originally posted by Katscan »I dont know much about the innerds of an engine but if the timing belt broke wouldnt he get a few missfires before it died instead of just dieing in a split second?It is quite possible and I see your logic! As the belt stretches and comes apart. I have never had one break but then again all the cars I have kept for 10+ years have had chains. The one car I had that had a belt was a lease and I just turned it in so the next person will have to change it out when it is due.

Quote, originally posted by heha »I have the 3.5L , the engine does try to turn, but to no avail. The tow truck driver said it could be my fuel pump, but not to sure. otherwise I was told it couldve been me ECU. Yeah I just passed the 100,000km point and was hoping to get a tune and oild change in the next few weeks.......If it cranks than I say the belt is still OK BUT you should check the owners manual and the mileage it states to have it replaced. If you need help with that let me know I should be able to track it down for you.If it is the fuel pump at least the pressure can be checked before any replacement is done. I would have to check again but it may have a fuel filter that will need to be changed too. Although most cars like the Vibe now do not have serviceable filters in the line anymore. The filters are in the tank. Yours is a 99 so maybe it still has an in line filter, my 1998 car does. If it is an ECU you can get a used module if you wanted, I am sure you could find one.

hey, i just noticed this. my cousin had the same car and the tow truck driver told her that he had seen this before on a bunch of them and that it was the fuel pump. he was right! not saying this is the case on yours, but a definite possibility.

thanx so much for all the help I plan to take it in the shop this week(since I get paid this) again thanx, I called the shop i usually take it to and told him what u guys suggested and said that it may be the fuel pump as well! I'll let you know......cheers

And I stand corrected, yours IS an interference engine! So that belt is very inportant to change out when needed!

yep u were right, 5 out of 6 pistons are done, apparently gonna cost me about 3 grand to repair everything

thats alot of coin! i say get rid of the thing lol thats what i would do lol and plus 3 grand you can get yourself a new engine with that amount of money well if you look right good luck with the car

Seriously! The Cars for Christ nearby has an older Porsche of some sort that i've been eyeing for around $4,900. Not..that I have that kinda cash around, but vintage Porsche..mm...

Ouch! How many km's on that thing anyway? I'm assuming it has a timing belt, did you ever replace it? Most need to be replaced somewhere around 60,000 mi or Chrysler does have some at 90,000 mi (100,000 km/144840 km) according to this.What size is the engine, btw?I'd say see if you can find a new or rebuilt engine for cheap... If it's used, make sure they throw a new timing belt on it before they put it in. Always gotta keep up with the timing belt, it's easy to forget about it until it's too late, especially if youy're used to having a chain in there. Good luck!

yeah, I found another 3.5L for about $2500, with 67,000kms on it and its also from a 99 LHS, but the install is $1100. So its about the same any way I go. So Ill just get it repaired and now I know what is right in the engine nd will now wait for more wrongs.....