GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Car runs great/shifts ok when driven easy. Problem is when you floor it, or accelerate rapidly. Tranny will drop into second gear, engine starts to redline, and you get nowhere fast. Let off the gas, tranny will shift, and start to accelerate. No cel. Took it to the local garage and they could repeat the problem, but had no idea how to fix it. Any ideas/suggestions greatly appreciated!

hello and welcome!How many miles are on your vibe?Have you ever changed your transmission oil? Please do not get a flush. The trans oil drains and fills just like the engine. I recommend doing that way. I changed my trans oil 3 times every 50k miles, at 3 oil changes in a row. So I hit 50k, I do a oil change and drain/fill transmission oil, then in 3k I do another oil change and trans oil drain/fill and in another 3k. This changes MOST of the trans oil and it helps a lot. The oil can be purchased cheaper from toyota dealer, I think $6-7 a quart. And a drain/fill uses like 3-3.9 quarts.. I made a thread but forgot the exact amount. To check your trans oil level, you must park on a flat surface, leave the car running, pull the trans dip stick, wipe clean with a towel, then dip it in and pull it out to see level on the stick.

Car has 140,000 miles on it. Have only had it for 2 months, so I don't know if transmission oil has ever been changed. I'll give it a try - thanks for the suggestion.

no problem, update us with any questions or if it helps

Replaced the transmission fluid today. Didn't solve the problem. Fluid didn't look too bad or have a burnt smell to it. Any other suggestions?Thanks

Does it do it only when in drive? What happens when you do it in 3?

Not sure I follow what you mean. Only choices are "D", "2", "L".Thanks

If you're asking does it make any difference whether or not overdrive is engaged, then the answer is no. Same problem with O/D on or off.

what about if its cold (right int he morning) or only after it warms up after driving for a while?

Doesn't seem to make any difference whether the car is cold or warmed up.

isnt there a sensor or some small part on the trans that caused issues like this? crap I cant remember but its been known, I know that. Maybe someone will chime in on that. Hmm did you clean the iac valve and pvc?

I've been searching the forum for similar problems, and have found a few issues surrounding the pressure control solenoid, but most of these involved a P0716 code. The only cel codes i've gotten where two months ago when I first bought the car and they were for engine misfire. Replaced the plugs and cel hasn't returned.I will try cleaning the iac valve and replacing the pcv and see if that helps.Thanks.

Cleaned the iac valve, MAF and PCV. No change. Tried something I hadn't done before, revving it up in neutral. Engine start to vibrate at about 4200 rpms, and maxes out at 4400 rpms with the pedal to the floor. Looks like I've been looking at the tranny and I should be checking the engine. Any ideas what would cause this?

Is there a rev limiter for automatics in neutral?

rpm's max out whether it's in park,neutral, or drive during hard acceleration.

Maxxing out at 4400rpm to me seems like either the intake or exhaust is clogged.

Here's what I've tried so far - I hope someone can offer a few suggestions. Replaced the pcv valve. Cleaned out the throttle body (didn't remove it - didn't look too bad - butterfly moves easily). Cleaned the MAF. Removed the air filter and tried running without it - no change in max rpms. Removed O2 sensor in exhaust manifold and tried running without it - no change in max rpms. Engine runs smooth until about 4200rpms, then starts running rough. Injectors? Fuel pump? Fuel filters? Any ideas on how to get to the root of this problem greatly appreciated!

Finally gave up and took the car to the local GM garage. Computer showed nothing wrong, but after digging through TSB's they found a reference to faulty crankshaft sensors that would limit engine rpms to a max of 4800. That was the problem. Replaced the sensor and car is back to running great.