New member North Fla. 2004 Vibe

[vegetony]

I really appreciate the members here. I have done quite a bit of browsing and have benefited greatly from the information here.

I have a 2004 Vibe. 180,000 miles, plus. I've had it for 6 years. Right after I got it the engine went bad. I think the previous owner didn't change oil, or something. It was under dealer warranty which was good so got a new or rebuilt engine out of it. I've been kind of rough on my Vibe but it has been pretty reliable.
I cannot post pics yet. Here are links showing my paint problems:

http://s571.photobucket.com/user/Anthon ... m.jpg.html

http://s571.photobucket.com/user/Anthon ... k.jpg.html


1. It has a CEL that I've run on for around 6 years. I've run codes on it several times over the years. The most recent time I checked it threw a boatload of codes. P0441, 442, 420, 741. It runs well though and the gas mileage seems fine.
2. Like others I have sent the car in for recalls and it returns worse for wear. I took it in for the driver's window bolt thing. No problems before, and now after a few months the window is off its track. I have seen the articles in here about various fixes so I will try those. Recently took it into another dealer for the airbag problem(s). Now after a couple of weeks the airbag light or SRS light comes on. I think they may have caused a hairline crack in the radio bezel too but I didn't notice it until sometime later so I didn't complain to them about it. The SRS light may be the clockspring thing mentioned here. I also have the actuator clicking thing that I will try to fix, thanks to GenVibe.
3. The radio looked kind of dingy after a few years and so I sprung for a new Pioneer head unit. I installed it without destroying the car's electronics so I count that as a success. I may try a little sound deadening just out of curiosity.
4. The clear coat started peeling on the hood and top a couple of years ago. I let it peel for a year or so, and now I am in the process of sanding the hood and roof and will probably paint those myself. My last estimate for a decent paint job was $2800.00. I can't see myself spending that on my beloved Vibe so ....
5. I haul a lot of stuff in the Vibe so the cargo area is messy. There are toner ink stains (from used ink cartridges that I recycle) that I have no luck getting rid of.
6. Recently the O/D function is not working. It may be a bad connection in the shift lever.

Other things I have done, or am in the process of doing:

Done:
a. radio
b. LED white interior lights-I just like the look
c. Mud flaps-Power flo
d. Led back-up lights and drivers license lights
e. New horn, but I don't like its sound. May get another.

To be done:

f. I may do the SRI thing, still debating it. I would just like a little more oomph.
g. paint hood and top
h. replace or reset actuator
i. fix 0/D switch
j. fix codes
k. fix drivers side window
l. fix the problem with clockspring/SRS light
m. the drivers side lower moulding came partly off when it got caught on the ground. I ordered the clips to fix it.

[vibrologist]

Hi, vegetony: welcome to GenVibe. Keep us posted on your progress and don't hesitate to ask questions. The sunburn looks quite severe, but it's only cosmetic. I think I would start with the codes. Make sure that the PCM recall has been done if your car is covered.

[csxt8058]

Welcome aboard!! Good luck with your fixes.

JR

[tpollauf]

Welcome to GenVibe. YEAH ... definitely fix as MUCH stuff on your own as you can. Nothing against dealers or other shops, but they may not always return your vehicle to you in the same condition as when you dropped it off. Visit us often here

[trb]

Welcome! Sounds like you've gotten a lot of use from your Vibe over the years. That clear coat certainly has suffered, for sure. I would work on wet sanding it down smooth and maybe applying a new clear coat to it ,since the paint itself does not look too bad. The 03 and 04's certainly did not receive the best paint jobs as I had to repaint my 03's roof (black rustoleum!) and the hood is peeling too, but it will be getting a new, non dented hood eventually.

Good luck with it!

[vibenvy]

Welcome to GenVibe! It definitely sounds like you enjoy your Vibe and have done quite a bit to it already. You should consider starting a Garage thread to show off any mods, etc. you do to your Vibe .