GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

So he called me this morning asking some advice...His car ran fine yesterday, goes to start it this morning (40f degrees out), was parked in a 1 stall garage. And he goes to start it, engine wont turn over, no cel, but gets a low oil pressure light blinking. He reads the manual and it says its a low oil pressure error and wont start. He took to bus to work so I cant have him try anything and he will prolly have to have it towed after work to the dealer if he cant get it started.Ive read it may be the ecu, oil pump or fuel pump, from quick reading on a google search. Sometimes putting it to acc then turning key or cranking it 3-4 times and holding it for 5 seconds gets it started. Runs rough for a bit but will smooth out. Anyone in a 2009 vibe have this issue yet?

A 2009 Toyota that would not start? Oh my gosh! Could it really be?

Quote, originally posted by michaelgt »A 2009 Toyota that would not start? Oh my gosh! Could it really be? yes and after googling it, its not wide spread but common. no one seems to have a solution though..... oh I should mention he checked the oil and it was at normal levels and color.

Quote, originally posted by michaelgt »A 2009 Toyota that would not start? Oh my gosh! Could it really be? *Chuckle*

Quote, originally posted by michaelgt »A 2009 Toyota that would not start? Oh my gosh! Could it really be? LOL! He could always call that roadside assistance to have them come get the car and tow it to the Toyota dealer for free... Oh wait, Toyota doesn't feel it is necessary to provide that service... Anywho, how does the car have an "oil pressure error" if the engine doesn't even start (so it can't build oil pressure?) Unless if the sending unit isn't working correctly the PCM doesn't allow the car to start or something? Very perplexing.Sounds more annoying than the cranks but takes forever to start like we had on a bunch of the Vibes.

the new cars, I hear gm's does it to, the ecu can tell if the engine isnt being supplied with enough of the goods it wont start and throws a error. To me its almost like a goofy ecu issue or a mouse chewed something.... the oil or fuel pump going out should of been noticed "should" before he parked it yesterday. I think he has the tow to dealer for free under warranty? isnt that normal for all bumper to bumper warranties?

Normal for all unless you're Toyota/Scion and Honda who don't include roadside assistance with their warranty package.

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »the new cars, I hear gm's does it to, the ecu can tell if the engine isnt being supplied with enough of the goods it wont start and throws a error.Even if it did have that feature, the engine would have to turn over in order for the ECU to have any data about oil pressure and other parameters. Your initial post said the engine didn't turn over which sounds much more like a dead battery or other electrical problem. (And of course the oil pressure light is on since there is no pressure until the pump turns.)

Quote, originally posted by prathman »Even if it did have that feature, the engine would have to turn over in order for the ECU to have any data about oil pressure and other parameters. Your initial post said the engine didn't turn over which sounds much more like a dead battery or other electrical problem. (And of course the oil pressure light is on since there is no pressure until the pump turns.)The cars electricals work fine. The car will not even try to crank, it makes a buzz and the oil light blinks. Per the manual to the car it means the computer finds the car not fully qualified to start so it wont let it, saying it has to low of oil pressure. This is what my friend tells me, I dont have experience on the new 1.8, hence why I am asking. Well if you think about it, going into ACC mode the ecu may make some queries to parts and sensors and if they are not operable it wont work. This very well could be a bad sensor. I think the 1.8 has a mechanical oil pump so your theory of the ecu knowing that is maybe true. So I would also agree thats its electrical but ecu or sensor is my opinion. Id go look at it right now but I have homework thats due by 12am, the toyota dealer will pay to have it towed to their shop though. Like I said I googled and found a handful of people with the same issue but they didnt have a solution because it was intermittent.

If the engine doesn't turn over at all and there's a buzz sound, then I'd guess it's a low battery. TUrn the headlights on, then try to start it, if the lights get super dim, then it's out of juice. Could also be a starter, starter relay, fuse error. But without a crank, I don't see how it could really be an oil pressure related problemYou can download the 2009 VIbe owner's manual from http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=101 and see if Pontiac makes any mention of the oil pressure start cutout.

ugh yeah he isnt to car inclined. He got back from work and said it seemed like a low battery. If I remember, lights were dim or would only go on then out.I will bring my battery charger this weekend and we'll check it out. But this leads to his battery is bad or alt. isnt charging it....

Bummer, checked the '09 Vibe manual and it doesn't say anything about the oil light flashing. It just has the usual oil pressure warning information we've been accustomed to seeing for years.

UPDATE: The link to the thread with Vibe owner's manuals is missing the last digit. The actual link is thread #1010, not 101.http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=1010

uhhh wow it was the battery... so yeah nvm he probably left a light on but wont admit it.