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Vibe Maintenance & Repair Concerns - READ ONLY

811 messages,  Last post on Oct 16, 2006 at 12:20 PM

You are in the Pontiac Vibe Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Pontiac Vibe, Wagon

Messages Page 82 of 82

#803 of 811 Re: filling gas tank by roy15

Sep 03, 2006 (2:50 pm)

thank you Scrappy D, I have the gas tank filling problem, the dealer tried replacing things I wiil get them to replace the evaporation cannister. I also had to have the Compressor for A/C replaced.
RoyNC

#804 of 811 Roy car reply by scrappyd

Sep 03, 2006 (4:17 pm)

Hi Roy- yes, you said this before, I believe. Thanks and your welcome. It's interesting to me that another member of this board also had the same issue and replaced the evap cannister. Thankfully, I've not noticed the same issue yet.
 
My car is ready for it's first quarterly maintenance. I'm curious about the compressor for the AC. Since I've read in other websites that the PV has poor AC I just took it for granted that the car takes so long to either cool down or warm up (though in Texas) we have SO NOT needed any more warmth.
 
My question, then is how do you know you have an AC problem? Meaning, mine comes on but doesn't get very cold - so is that how you knew there was a problem? (or did it just not come on at all?).
 
The other issue I've seen alot here is about the tires and the rotors. The dealer has told me NO PROBLEMS - now. My car does ride rough but I'm not skilled enough to know if it's the tires or not and since I had alot of first time repairs right off the lot (bought it used 2005 26K miles). To my surprise they had to replace all the rotors (at an unreal low mileage) and I had them rotate the tires as well. (Mine were still good on my old Toyota Camry at 135k and I had them replaced just for safety then).. there is sadly a difference between the 2 make-ups of the car.
 
Since I'm just about to be logging real high mileage in the next few weeks, I'm kinda wondering about the tire wear and
at 27k what types of maintenance I should have completed.
 
The pontiac site(I registered there and asked them what maintenance should I do for this time based also on my VIN) they emailed me back with this list for 27k miles states I need to do (estimate low cost= $151) these things: (a big ouch for sure). What do you think?
 
air filter (i can do)
automatic transmission flush and change (?)
cabin air filter (?)- I've seen mixed views on doing this
lubricate chassis
replace coolant and inspect system
engine oil change (I'm thinking of going synthetic - and
     wonder if after NOT having synthetic before if that's
     a good idea)
oil filter replaced (i can do)
fuel line and cap inspection
rear differential fluid change (?)
transfer case fluid change (?)
wheels and tire inspect and adjust air pressure
brakes inspect
all fluids inspect and fill as needed
 
The ? means I'm unsure where this is or if I can do these myself once I figure out where to go?
 
any thoughts

#805 of 811 any answers for my problems by nd2105

Sep 04, 2006 (6:37 am)

First i am the one that told scrappyd to replace the evap canister! i had to have it done to mine before my car was able to take gas like a normal vehicle. so far there is only one other person that i have found that has fixed the gas tank filling problem.
 
also, was looking for any thoughts/answers for my problems with the brakes squeeling and the clicking behind the dash when i turn off the recirculation or use defrost?
today i am going to replace the front brakes and lube the rear shoes where it makes contact with the drum. hopefully that will eliminate that. i will keep everyone posted. just need help solving the other issue with the a/c

#806 of 811 Re:804 by roy15

Sep 04, 2006 (4:22 pm)

My car was new off the lot in March 04 and when we turned the A/C on in May it didn't work. I have had the cabin airfilter replaced it improved the A/C, it's located behind glove box. There is no need to change tranny fluid unless you are towing something. Coolant sure I had mine changed at about 30k the other fluids I never heard of changing them, but then I'm not a mechanic/sales person.

#807 of 811 update to problems by nd2105

Sep 05, 2006 (7:07 am)

well, i have updates to my problems with the vibe. first i dealt with the squeeky brakes: i changed the front pads and then took the drum covers off and discovered that the dealership only lubed one side of the drum. cleaned and lube everything in the drums, no squeeky brakes.
 
then went on to fix my A/C problem with the recirculation/ defrost clicking behind the dash. opened the glove box up and found it right away. the motor that opens and closes the cabin air filter was causing the filter door to be bouncing from closed to open. i took the motor out and discovered the main plastic gear assembly had two teeth missing. today i am going to the dealership to try and get just the gear. (no one else carries it.) i will keep you updated.

#808 of 811 Two Weeks Old and in the shop already by cyclefitness

Sep 05, 2006 (9:56 am)

My God, am I discouraged. I bought a brand new manual tranx Vibe two weeks ago. The first couple of days I noticed it wouldn't start. I chocked it up to being new to manual tranx again and that I was doing something wrong. Since then, it has happened five times. I turn the ignition key and nothing -- no click, no attempted turnover -- nothing. The dash lights are on, but nothing. After three or four attempts it finally turns over.
 
I also noticed in the mornings when I'm pulling out of the driveway after having the emergency brake on that there is a groaning sound coming from the front left tire. I thought that was because it was just "new." Well, not so. The dealer says it's a leaking strut and they have to order the part.
 
As for the starting not happening, they say there is a neutral safety switch that prevents the car from being started when it's in neutral without the clutch depressed. OK. I'll buy that. But what about the times it was depressed???? She said they'll check it again.
 
I have been so ecstatic the last couple of weeks. The car is a blast to drive and I'm finally settling into the manual trannie. Now my confidence is shaken as I wonder if I have a lemon? I researched this car for two months and didn't decide on the purchase lightly. I paid cash for the car and expected to drive off without worries. I'm really concerned there is more of this to come.
 
I also noticed when washing it this weekend that the front left panel over the wheel well is slightly off color from the rest of the car. I know I'm being really picky, but that makes me kind of curious. The car was delivered to Richmond from Philly and came to me with 288 miles on it from the trip, so I can't imagine there could have been an accident in it?? Maybe just a manufacturing flaw?
 
BTW, it's the BEAUTIFUL Stealth color!

#809 of 811 Re: Two Weeks Old and in the shop already [cyclefitness] by steine13

Sep 05, 2006 (11:34 am)

Replying to: cyclefitness (Sep 05, 2006 9:56 am)
Stomp the clutch pedal all the way into the floor. *Hard*. The switch is set really tight for some reason.
 
As far as the struts; stuff like that happens. There's thousands of parts on your new car, it'll be more in the shop the first year than the next three. I had a Nissan did a couple things like that followed by 5 years of trouble-free driving.
 
Good luck,
-Mathias

#810 of 811 Recirc button - tapping noise by meem1

Sep 10, 2006 (7:33 am)

Replying to: nd2105 (Sep 01, 2006 8:39 pm)
RE: the recirc button problem.
 
I had the same problem. The Technical Service bulleting said to replace the HVAC actuator - the motor that opens and closes the door between inside and outside air.
 
I did this and the mechanic said the new actuator operates all the time irregardless of the button setting (recirc or outside air and that the actuator would burn out if it ran all the time. Thinking it might be a faulty actuator, I replaced it again but with the same results.
 
I unplugged the new actuator to keep it from burning out and hope someday Pontiac will tell us what the real problem is. It must be upstream from the actuator, perhaps the switch, that is causing the malfunction and eventual symptom of a blown actuator tapping away below the glove compartment.
 
So we are living without the ability to recirc inside air. What this means is that when it is really hot outside it takes longer for the AC to cool the car and when it is really cold outside, it takes longer for the heater to warm up the car. Fortunately we live in a climate that that only goes to those extremes about two months out of the year.
 
I trust that Pontiac has someone reading these forums and will come up with a solution for us. There are a lot of people who report this problem.

#811 of 811 Forums reorganization by pf_flyer HOST

Oct 16, 2006 (12:20 pm)

You may have noticed the appearance of a bunch of new discussions in the forums. What's happening is thatwe are closing up the large, everything in one pile discussions like this and creating smaller discussions that focus on one particular aspect of a vehicle. This will help everyone get to the information they want faster than if they have to search through several thousand posts in a large discussion. Posts from this discussion have been moved to some of the new ones to help get them rolling.
 
For example, here in the Pontiac Vibe Group you'll find:
 
New Vibe Owners - Give Us Your Report
Pontiac Vibe Test Drive - What Did You Think?
Vibe and Matrix Maintenance & Repair Concerns
Pontiac Vibe: Audio & Entertainment Questions
Pontiac Vibe Electrical/Lighting Issues
Pontiac Vibe Engine Questions
Pontiac Vibe: Changes You'd Like To See
Pontiac Vibe Tire/Wheel Questions
Vibe Transmission Troubles
Pontiac Vibe: Accessories & Modifications
to name a few of the discussions.
 
So when posting, we'd like to ask you to please check the discussion list here in the Pontiac Vibe Group for the appropriate discussion to post in. If the issue or problem you wish to discuss doesn't appear to have an existing discussion, please feel free ot create one. Should you accidently duplicate an existing discussion, we can deal with that as we go on.
 
Thanks for your understanding and help in making this a valuable source of information for Pontiac Vibe owners and fans.

Messages Page 82 of 82

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