You are here: Forums Wagons Pontiac Vibe Pontiac Vibe Maintenance & Repair Pontiac Vibe Electrical/Lighting Issues

Pontiac Vibe Electrical/Lighting Issues

72 messages,  Last post on Aug 23, 2009 at 6:47 PM

You are in the Pontiac Vibe Maintenance & Repair Forum. Your Host is kcram

What is this discussion about? Pontiac Vibe, Electrical, Wagon

Messages Page 3 of 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#15 of 72 headlight recall by herzogtum71 Dec 07, 2004 (7:42 am)
We didn't get a recall notice for the headlights turning themselves on in the middle of cold nights. Ours was bought in August 2002, so I hope we weren't missed. I don't think we have ever left it outside overnight when the temperature was less than 20 degrees.
#16 of 72 hmmm by nippononly Dec 07, 2004 (12:33 pm)
in that case it must have been a Toyota TSB rather than a recall, but I know they did so because when I took mine in for its very first service, the guy mentioned it and the fact that he would check to see if mine was among the affected cars. The affected VINs were REALLY early production cars, mine wasn't one of them (mine was built in May or June 2002 I forget which). If you bought in August, herzog, you would almost certainly have not been affected by that. They had already addressed the problem by then. Replies to this message: vibo (Dec 11, 2004 11:21 am) tiera (Nov 28, 2005 5:38 pm) forrest4 (Jan 16, 2006 2:36 am) and 3 more... revile (Feb 10, 2006 10:26 am)
#17 of 72 Re: Headlights in the cold by vibo Dec 11, 2004 (11:21 am)
Replying to: nippononly (Dec 07, 2004 12:33 pm) I took the car in Friday for the scheduled appointment. The weather has warmed above 20F, so, of course the lights did not automatically turn on during the night.   The good news is that Pontiac dealership did find a TSB and ordered the new "switch", and they will replace it Tuesday.   Thanks all of you on this forum for your help. It makes a difference when you go in to the dealership with some information backing your claim. In this instance, headlights turning on at night.   I know there are many on the "Vibe" sponsored forums complaining about dead batteries in the cold. They may want to look into the headlight problem as well, not just battery problems.   Thanks again! Replies to this message: tiera (Nov 28, 2005 5:38 pm) forrest4 (Jan 16, 2006 2:36 am) larsi (Feb 20, 2006 10:56 am) and 2 more... revile (Feb 10, 2006 10:26 am)
#18 of 72 Re: Headlights in the cold [vibo] by tiera Nov 28, 2005 (5:38 pm)
Replying to: vibo (Dec 11, 2004 11:21 am) do you think you could tell me what switch it was that had to be replaced to fix your lights coming on because mine are doing the same thing. Replies to this message: forrest4 (Jan 16, 2006 2:36 am) larsi (Feb 20, 2006 10:56 am) mikey00 (Feb 20, 2006 2:28 pm) and 1 more... revile (Feb 10, 2006 10:26 am)
#19 of 72 Re: Headlights in the cold [tiera] by forrest4 Jan 16, 2006 (2:36 am)
Replying to: tiera (Nov 28, 2005 5:38 pm) did you get a reply on what switch had to be replaced to fix your lights coming on .........ours does the same thing. It if know please reply Replies to this message: larsi (Feb 20, 2006 10:56 am) mikey00 (Feb 20, 2006 2:28 pm) larsi (Feb 21, 2006 4:46 pm)
#20 of 72 Re: Headlights in the cold [tiera] by revile Feb 10, 2006 (10:26 am)
Replying to: tiera (Nov 28, 2005 5:38 pm) I have the same problem about headlights coming on in the cold. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
#21 of 72 Re: Headlights in the cold [forrest4] by larsi Feb 20, 2006 (10:56 am)
Replying to: forrest4 (Jan 16, 2006 2:36 am) Hi, I purchased a 2003 Vibe last week . . . I had the same headlight problem this past Friday evening. My poor husband saw lights on the shed and thought Aliens were landing . I Also found there was no power sunday morning, but by the afternoon (warmed up) the electrical system worked fine. My dealer did not seem to be aware of this problem. Did you ever receive any additional information regarding this issue? Replies to this message: mikey00 (Feb 20, 2006 2:28 pm) larsi (Feb 21, 2006 4:46 pm)
#22 of 72 Re: Headlights in the cold [larsi] by mikey00 Feb 20, 2006 (2:28 pm)
Replying to: larsi (Feb 20, 2006 10:56 am) I am suprised your dealer wasn't aware of the problem. It was very common on early 03 Vibes. He most likely didn't look very hard for an answer. I think it was the Daytime Running Module (DRL Module) that fixes the problem. Out of warranty the dealer gets over $200 to replace this or if you are handy it can be had at gmpartsdirect for about $60. Somone once said a temporary way to prevent this from happening is to put the highbeams on and turn the auto headlight switch to off. I don't know if this works but it is worth a try. Replies to this message: larsi (Feb 21, 2006 4:46 pm)
#23 of 72 Re: Headlights in the cold [mikey00] by larsi Feb 21, 2006 (4:46 pm)
Replying to: mikey00 (Feb 20, 2006 2:28 pm) Thanks for the info. I printed off some of the Vibe headlight complaints I found on the internet yesterday, and brought them to the dealer. By then they had the information regarding this issue from GM. They explained that the "multi-function stick" the stick with the headlight controls and turn signal was the culprit. In really cold weather a plastic part shrinks so bad that it trips contacts and turns your headlights on. They were kind enough to fix it without charging me .   I did find that during the bitter cold, turning the brights on caused the daytime running lights to turn off, and because the car was turned off, the brights did as they were supposed to and remained off . . . resulting in all lights being off .
#24 of 72 Daylight running light/drl sensor by 98clru Jan 27, 2005 (11:14 am)
I gently pried sensor out of dash, and removed the smoke colored cover. It is much better, but still goes full headlights in brighter light than I would like.   The sensor is installed by just connecting to wires and pushing into place, simple tension retainer. Be gentle! The dash is still hard for me to see in bright daylight, but much easier to see than it was when the sensor dimmed dash lights when the headlights were activated!

Messages Page 3 of 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Wagons Pontiac Vibe Pontiac Vibe Maintenance & Repair Pontiac Vibe Electrical/Lighting Issues