GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Here goes my sad attempt at describing a new noise:

I noticed driving today a fluttering tick tick tick noise noticeable between 25-55MPH seemingly from the front end. It is not a patterned rhythmic tick, it flutters sporadically perhaps 3-4 ticks a second. It doesn't sound like hard metal, more of a hard plastic or light metal type sound. The noise is not loud, just noticeable. If 1 was soft and 5 was loud it would be 2.

The noise continues if I take my foot off the accelerator. Turning overdrive off while rolling 45MPH does not change the noise... as in the downshift doesn't change the noise. If I moderately hit the accelerator going 40 it does not change the noise until I can't hear it.. which is usually over 50-55MPH. I tried angling slightly right slightly left and didn't notice any change in noise. I turned off the blower, no change.


Any ideas where to start with this one other than the shop?

176,000 miles btw and thanks in advance.

Check the condition of your front inner fender liners. I have seen several older Vibes with the front liners worn thru by fluttering into the spinning front wheels while the car is moving.

Thank you for that suggestion - really good considering the info I left out. I did bust some clips on the driver's side left liner on a cross-country trip a couple years ago. I have heard that lovely noise before and had to put a new one on that side. I always refer to that as the time the Vibe cannibalized herself in Nebraska.

Regardless, both checked and are secure unfortunately.. too bad because that would be an easy fix. I also crawled under there and poked around at all the plastic shields and all seem ok... they never were rock solid but other Vibes I have examined are pretty much the same.