GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I've got an '08 Vibe and sometimes it'll start at the turn of the key, and some times after it has been running and I stop and shut it down, I try to start it and there is nothing (not even a click), but I have power to everything else. Then I'll have to wait about 45 minutes without trying to start it, then all at once it'll start. I was told that the security was causing it to lock out because of the key tumblers, so I had the tumblers changed ($200.00) and it is still doing it. I need to get it resolved so I can trust the reliability of it. Please, I'd appreciate Help from anyone. jre

Starter solenoid perhaps? I'm not sure how hard the starter is to remove but you can take it down to Autozone or wherever and they'll test it for free. That will at least narrow down the possibilities. Good luck, and please try to chime in and let us know what the problem was when you get it sorted out

This could be completely unrelated but we had a 1980 Honda Prelude and when it was about 120k miles it suddenly got persnickety about starting. It was infrequent, then got worse. I assumed it was in the ignition lock. Luckily I have a sharp stepfather and he took out the starter and showed me how when the key is turned a plunger like metal rod moves forward to contact another plate. It had worn down and was only contacting it intermittently. Rather than just replacing the starter, which is what I bet most shops would do, he soldered some fill on the plunger, ground it flat w/a grinder and it worked as good as new for several more years of ownership.

Do a search for "Starter Heat Soak"