GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I just purchased my first Vibe over the weekend '04 Base w/ 127k miles. I bought it out of state over ebay and there are a couple of issues I could use advice on.1) The door locks do not match the ignition, keyless entry does work. Any suggestions on the best way to get this fixed? It does have the stock security system if that matters...2) There are a couple of interior issues. Missing compartment below the shifter and rear cup holder broken, but the largest interior issue is the drivers door control panel (windows/locks) is loose ad the bottom and tilts a little to the right. I found a thread on this problem, so it appears to be common.3) CEL light came on the next day on the way home. Shop told me it was the catalytic converter. I will probably have it replaced with a generic at a muffler shop. I assume I should go ahead and have the O2 sensor replaced as well?4) While the shop was checking the CEL, I went ahead and had then replace the automatic transmission fluid.Any other suggestions? Thanks--Kris

Quote, originally posted by kdunn »1) The door locks do not match the ignition, keyless entry does work. Any suggestions on the best way to get this fixed? It does have the stock security system if that matters...There is a way to program the key fob. http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=1437 If you want the keys to match, you will have to re-key either the doors or the ignition.

I would assume the ignition would be easier. I've called around asking about the the driver's side power door lock actuator since mine isn't working and they make it out to be rather difficult and expensive just to replace that. So I would assume that the ignition would just be easier and cheaper. Plus you only have to do 1 ignition as opposed to 2 locks for the door and hatch.

I know it is common that the drapes don't match the carpet, but I wonder how the door locks got out of sync with the ignition? You also forgot about the hatch - if that matches the ignition now we are at 2 drapes and and 2 carpets - a sort of Hugh Heffner situation.

I agree it is an odd situation. It didn't even occur to me to be something to check before buying the car. The seller is supposed to be sending a second key fob, but I am worried that if the power locks go out for some reason I won't be able to get back into the car as the only key I have is for the ignition. My key does not work with any of the door or hatch.I had initially thought a body shop may be able to help. The shop that checked the CEL thought a locksmith may be able to help. They also noticed some signs that may indicate flood damage

Quote, originally posted by jake75 ».....but I wonder how the door locks got out of sync with the ignition? ........So many ways this could have happened. Most likely a lock problem on the column and when the repair shop replaced it, it may have been used, it may have just come in already keyed, differently. The car may also have been in a horrible front end collision and the column collapsed and they pulled a used one out of a wreck and discarded the old one, original lock and all.Not really all THAT unusual for an older car to have had parts transplanted onto it.Pull the ignition tumbler, take it and your key to a locksmith and have him rekey it to your key, its really quite easy and relatively cheap.Dave

My wife's 05 Vibe's ignition key does not work any of the exterior locks. Whats the most cost effective way to fix this?

Quote, originally posted by djkeev »Pull the ignition tumbler, take it and your key to a locksmith and have him rekey it to your key, its really quite easy and relatively cheap.This doesn't quite make sense, since the key he had already worked in the ignition.Quote, originally posted by wintersilke »My wife's 05 Vibe's ignition key does not work any of the exterior locks. Whats the most cost effective way to fix this?Obviously, the cheapest solution is to carry two keys, one for the ignition, and one for the door locks. But have you made sure the door locks are not frozen due to inactivity (which is common with keyless entry)?

Assumes that one has a key that works in the door locks as well as one that works in the ignition.

My problem turned out to be a worn key. One of my two original keys was worn to the point it worked the ignition, but not the doors. The other (less worn) key still worked correctly so I had a duplicate made of that key...

That's good news!