GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

After not having been to my Vibe since Sunday, I went down tonight to clean off the snow. First indication there's a problem - my remote won't work. Thought maybe the batteries are dead in it. I clean the car off then decide well maybe I should just try the key in the ignition. Nothing. I have no idea what happened - my bf thinks maybe it was the cold snap on Monday with -43 windchills, but shouldn't it be able to start now? I guess I'm going to have to find someone to boost the thing or call the roadside assistance. *sigh*

The crappy battery again. Call the GM road side assitance to have a boost. They will put your request in they log and if there's enough complain, they will put a recall on hte battery. Also, call GM Canada and complain about the poor quality of the battery.

Called GM Roadside Assistance and a tow truck came. He boosted my Vibe. Apparently the map reading light had been left on. I'm positive I turned it off on Sunday night. I used it about an hour before home - wouldn't I have noticed if we had been driving around for an hour in the dark with a map light on?? Anyway its back up and running now. Tow truck guy said we had a "beautiful car."

I was just going to respond that the battery must have been drained since even the remotes didn't work. Although the stock battery leaves a little something to be desired in terms of performance, it still should have enuff juice to flip the locks with the remote, even with -43C weather. I agree with the others, you might want to invest in a better battery if you find yourself unable to plug it in all the time. Question: How long did it take for Roadside to show up?

quote:Apparently the map reading light had been left on.You know I've found that button tricky. I mistakenly turn on the light while adjusting the rear view mirror. It might have happened, but like you said, you would notice if it had been left on after use. Either you hit the button accidentally, or the Roadside Assistance guy is makin stuff up. In any case, glad to hear that you are fully charged!

quote:Either you hit the button accidentally, or the Roadside Assistance guy is makin stuff up. In any case, glad to hear that you are fully charged! Nope it was definitely on - I was down there when he cabled up to the Vibe and it came right on.

quote:Question: How long did it take for Roadside to show up?It took about an hour and a bit - I was at home so no problem with the wait.. Friendly tow truck guy too. My only previous experience with a tow truck driver was less than pleasant.

quote: My only previous experience with a tow truck driver was less than pleasant.Wow, you should have met the guy who came to boost the Jetta last weekend. Took 2 hours for him to respond. Instead of coming with a tow truck, he comes with his 1/2 ton. Tries to boost it for like 15 seconds, says, "It won't go, you shoulda just told me you wanted a tow, because CAA will only dispatch me once."Not impressed, but he did seem to forget about it when it came time for someone to sign the work order.Some people just don't have a customer service attitude.

Hey, no one suggested the headlight switch problem -- lights (DRLs?) come on all by themselves when really cold. If your battery was totally dead I'd suspect that. Sounds pretty common in Canada. I certainly wouldn't believe I left the map light on -- I never do stuff like that

Glad you found your problem. In your case when you turned it on your eyes adjusted to the light and you probably just forgot about it. Same has happened to me--driving at night after using the light and wonder why I can't see out of the windows so good. And look up and I left the darn thing on . Not only in the Vibe but other cars as well. James & Miss Bootsie

Now I'm paranoid - before I go to work this morning I'm going out to make sure it still has power. I still can't believe I left the map light on.

Sorry for you Sputnik. But all has been corrected.I would like to ask you something. If this thing happens again, can you call GM Canada at 1-800-463-7483 and complain about the poor quality of this battery?Thanks a lot.

quote:Sputnik don't replace the battery on your own.... complain to GM and the dealer if this happens again!!!!!For the temperature, the -43 windchill will not affect the battery, it's only the actually temperature that affects the car. Windchill is only felt on human/animal/plants since the wind is causing an evaporation on your skin that let's you feel like it';s -43C but it won't affect objects!Yes I know the windchill doesn't affect objects. I don't remember the actual temperature of that day, just the windchill value so I used it to reference how cold it was.

quote:Sorry for you Sputnik. But all has been corrected.I would like to ask you something. If this thing happens again, can you call GM Canada at 1-800-463-7483 and complain about the poor quality of this battery?Thanks a lot.I have already complained.