Hoping there's still some old timers around to help a 20 year Vibe guy. My sweet 03 that I bought new off the dealer lot has been trouble free for about 19 years; but Father Time catches up to us all.
About a month ago, my starter failed, and it wasn't too hard to diagnose. I bought a brand new, non-OEM starter (inexpensive, from eBay), struggled with a slightly factory cross threaded lower bolt, but got it in, and it was starting like a dream... literally better than it ever had.
Then, 3 days ago, away from home, it stopped working - being a stick, I was able to push start it, got home, sure enough in my driveway, after engine shut off, there's no more engagement of the starter motor. Jumper cables nor overnight trickle charging affects it - no starting.
Here's the really weird thing - if I use ACC or On, everything works - lights, blower, etc. If I turn to Start, I hear a single click (unsure if that's Relay or Solenoid), but that everything goes dead EVEN AFTER I release the key from Start to On. THere is NO power to anything, other than the door open red indicator. There remains NO POWER even if I pull the key out, back in to ACC, On or Start - totally dead.... for maybe 30 minutes or so? After that, I can power everything with ACC or On ; of course, if I turn to Start - one click, everything goes dead for another 30 minutes.
Battery is 18 months old, and appears strong.
Starter is 1 month old
No reason to believe alternator isn't charging, but I've not tested
All fuses in engine bay and driver side appear good
I've replaced the purple starter relay - no change
I am frustrated and a bit heart-broken as I'm starting to doubt my ability to keep this beauty going.
Does anyone have any ideas? the total loss of power after and Start attempts is non-sensical to me... I really thought the Starter relay would be the culprit, and yet not....