GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Hi genvibe, this is my first post to the forum, but I've found a lot of helpful advice here in the past. Thank you to all who share their Vibe knowledge.I have a 2003 with a manual transmission and it won't start with the key. I can bump start it, but I can't jump start it. The lights and everything else seem to work fine with the car running or not.I believe the clutch switch is working because I can hear something (fuel pump?) makes noise when I turn the key with the clutch pedal pushed in. If I turn the key on without the pedal pushed in it doesn't make the noise.The first time it wouldn't start I bump started it and drove home. Once home, I tried to start it with the key and it started fine. Starting with the key worked fine for a few days, but alas today I was stuck parallel parked at the grocery store.So I have what began as an intermittent problem, but now seems to be all the time, where the car won't start with the key but runs fine once bump started. I'm guessing I need to pull the starter, but I thought I'd check with the forum to see if anyone has any other ideas. Thanks.

With my 04, if you don't get the clutch pedal completely to the floor, it won't start. Even 1/4" above the dead stop of the pedal prevents it from letting the starter engage. It can be a pain in the (removed), though, you do get used to it.

Does the starter "click"? First thing I'd check is the power to the starter (cable and connections on the battery and starter). If they are bad you won't get enough current to turn the starter over. Is you battery good? The in car testers aren't that accurate so it's best you pull it out and have it tested. You can also pull the starter and have it checked at a auto parts store.

Hit the starter a few times with a hammer. Does it start after that? This trick works with fuel pumps as well. If this does the trick, you're going to need a new starter.

^^X2 a good smack with a rubber mallet or hammer might knock it loose.

The electric fuel pump gets power when the key is in both the on and start positions, so I don't think you can tell that the clutch to start switch is engaged by the sound of the fuel pump.I taped a couple of quarterrs ont he back of my clutch pedal to make it engage the clutch to start switch a little sooner.But by now I assume you've already tried mashing the clutch pedal into the floor to be sure, so it might be the starter. Some of the older Vibes are starting to have more starter failures reported here.