GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

While working on the Vibe last night, taking off winter tires, heard a strange noise, almost like a small drill. Traced noise to the fuel tank area. Appears the Vibe's emissions air pump turned on aprox 3 plus hours after the car last ran. I was in and out of the car, so not sure when I last had one of the doors open or key in the accessory position. Was not aware that this pump would turn on by itself. Has anyone else encountered the pump turning on hours after the car had last run? Want to see if this is a "programmed" emissions item, or if I have a wire, control, sensor etc issue. Below link to video, showing location with audio of pump running.

Vibe air pump turned on by itself:
http://youtu.be/9EREwCYvX5c" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Derf wrote:While working on the Vibe last night, taking off winter tires, heard a strange noise, almost like a small drill. Traced noise to the fuel tank area. Appears the Vibe's emissions air pump turned on aprox 3 plus hours after the car last ran. I was in and out of the car, so not sure when I last had one of the doors open or key in the accessory position. Was not aware that this pump would turn on by itself. Has anyone else encountered the pump turning on hours after the car had last run? Want to see if this is a "programmed" emissions item, or if I have a wire, control, sensor etc issue. Below link to video, showing location with audio of pump running.

Vibe air pump turned on by itself:
http://youtu.be/9EREwCYvX5c" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I didn't even know that the Vibe had an emissions air pump. One more thing to go bad.

I think I do remember reading somewhere that the EVAP leak check is done hours after the engine has been shut off.

I believe it's usually done between 5 to 8 hours after the vehicle was last run. My vibe was continually throwing an CEL with an EVAP code from the emissions test. It would never throw the code during the day since I would go out for lunch (usually around 4 hours after last use), but if the car sat overnight or if I wouldn't go out for lunch at work then it would throw the code.

It's totally normal.

From the 2009 owner's manual...

Driving and Operating 8-15
Evaporation Pump
The vehicle is equipped with a vacuum pump for the fuel evaporation system. This pump performs a fuel evaporation leakage test approximately five (5) hours after the engine is turned off. You may hear a sound coming from underneath the rear cargo compartment for several minutes.

The noise is normal and does not signify a malfunction. See your dealer/retailer with any questions.

This came about in 2005 or so, I believe. On the lots when they were new, they had a tag tied to shifter of new Vibes that mentioned the pump running after the vehicle had been turned off and that it was normal.

Nothing to worry about as was mentioned.

vibenvy wrote:It's totally normal. From the 2009 owner's manual...
Driving and Operating 8-15
Evaporation Pump
The vehicle is equipped with a vacuum pump for the fuel evaporation system. This pump performs a fuel evaporation leakage test approximately five (5) hours after the engine is turned off. You may hear a sound coming from underneath the rear cargo compartment for several minutes.
The noise is normal and does not signify a malfunction. See your dealer/retailer with any questions.

ColonelPanic wrote:This came about in 2005 or so, I believe. On the lots when they were new, they had a tag tied to shifter of new Vibes that mentioned the pump running after the vehicle had been turned off and that it was normal.
Nothing to worry about as was mentioned.

Thanks. Checked over the 2005 Owners manual, no mention of the delayed EVAP check (2005 manual ends at 7-11, must have added more sections over the years). Does not appear the previous owner saved any documentation noting this from when the car was new.

Another 2nd hand information gap, filled by genvibe members.