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Pontiac Vibe Electrical/Lighting Issues

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

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


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#4 of 72
Relay or Sensor? by Luzer
Nov 30, 2004 (3:15 pm)
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Hey Nip,
 
I found that post (2/27/03) and brought it with me, but they said they can't cross ref Toyota part numbers....that's why if someone did this with a Vibe and provides the similar info as you, then we would all do a mad rush to the dealer.
 
Anywho, is it the relay or the sensor itself?
Here's your post...
 
"I got my paperwork back for the new relay assembly for the twilight sensor. The part # is the same as posted above: #82810-02033. I guess this is a relay better calibrated to its location on the dash in the Matrix. More importantly, it notes on the paperwork that "service bulletin EL007-02/replace relay" was performed.
So I guess this is the number of the TSB for this twilight sensor problem."
#5 of 72
luzer by nippononly
Nov 30, 2004 (4:59 pm)
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wow! confronted with my own words!
 
I guess my memory, fuzzy at the best of times, confused relay with sensor, but I do remember writing that and I was quoting the service invoice exactly. So it must be a relay. Makes sense, I guess, because the sensor is probably fairly generic. I don't know where this leaves you though. My car was a Matrix, not a Vibe, and there is probably no way to be 100% sure that the parts woill go from one car to the other without just buying the Toyota part and trying to install it in your Vibe. The whole job including professional labor rates was only somewhere in the $100s (covered under warranty for me of course). Which means it didn't take them much time and the part itself was quite cheap. Might be worth investigating.
#6 of 72
relay TBS by herzogtum71
Dec 01, 2004 (12:55 pm)
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I remember printing out nippon's post and taking the TBS number with me to the service department. They didn't even want to look at it because they already knew what they were going to do, but I managed to look at their paperwork and confirm that the TBS I brought in was the same one they were referring to.
 
What if you just take your Vibe in and complain that the running light/headlight system is not working properly (going from one to the other constantly)? Pontiac should be able to replace the sensor or the relay or whatever, using whatever part they now use when they manufacture the vehicles.
#7 of 72
herzog by nippononly
Dec 01, 2004 (5:16 pm)
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yes! Exactly. They could just get a replacement part from a new model, and hopefully all would be well. Of course, that presumes that Pontiac updated their part when Toyota did, which might be a big presumption given that they are built on two different lines in two different countries. I HOPE Pontiac is not still using the original part!
#8 of 72
Vibe Problem In The Cold! by vibo
Dec 05, 2004 (11:56 pm)
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Replying to: nippononly (Dec 01, 2004 5:16 pm)

I have a 2003 base Vibe. Since the overnight temperatures have been below 20F, my headlights have been automatically turning on and draining the battery during the night.
 
How do I know this? My neighbor gets home at about 2:00am and he called. Other neighbors have noticed as well.
 
The first time it happened, the neighbor called and so I went out and could not get them to turn off. They finally turned off when I pushed the high-beam selector forward, which normally would illuminate the high-beams.
 
Needless to say, I have called roadside assistance each morning for a jump-start. The dealer can't give me an appointment until this Fri.
 
Has anyone heard of this problem? I know many have complained on other Vibe/Matrix forums about the Vibe's weak battery in cold weather. This may be the root of the problem.
 
Any help would be appreciated.
#9 of 72
Re: Vibe Problem In The Cold! [vibo] by tiera
Nov 28, 2005 (5:30 pm)
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Replying to: vibo (Dec 05, 2004 11:56 pm)

 :confuse:I am having the same problem with my 2003 vibe. This is the first year it started doing this. I wake in the morning after it froze outside and my battery is dead because the light turned on automatically in the night. No dealer knows what Im talking about so any info would be greatly apprieciated
#10 of 72
this was a problem by nippononly
Dec 06, 2004 (8:55 am)
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on very early Matrixes, and Toyota came up with a fix and issued a recall to affected owners. It was a problem where in cold areas the lights on some cars would turn themselves on in the middle of the night and kill the battery, which sounds exactly like what you are saying? Did Pontiac not recall the Vibes? You may want to check with your dealer. I am surprised you have not experienced this problem before now?
#11 of 72
Re: Vibe Headlights in Cold by vibo
Dec 06, 2004 (7:01 pm)
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Replying to: nippononly (Dec 06, 2004 8:55 am)

Thanks Nippononly.
 
I bought this '03 Vibe new at the end of the 2003 model year. This is the first winter that it has not been in the garage, thus it hasn't experiences temperatures so low.
 
I love this car. My Vibe replaced a 2000 VW Passat, which I had a lot of trouble with, both electrically and mechanically.
 
In two years of ownership, this will be the first time it has acted up.
 
I am worried about this mysterious headlight problem. When I set up the appointment, the dealer was very skeptical, and basically said they would have to verify the problem themselves--yeah like some technician is going to sit with the car over-night to watch the headlights illuminate.
#12 of 72
Re: Vibe Headlights in Cold [vibo] by tiera
Nov 28, 2005 (5:35 pm)
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Replying to: vibo (Dec 06, 2004 7:01 pm)

iam having the problem with the vibes lights turning on all by themselves, do you have any word of advice for me because the dealer has no idea what Im talking about
#13 of 72
Buy American? by Luzer
Dec 06, 2004 (11:46 am)
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I have zero confidence in Pontiac.
 
First - The service tech was using a flashlight to make the thing go on/off and claims it works right.
 
Second - The service manager tells me the trix doesn't have DRL, and uses a different headlight than the Vibe. AND this is the first complaint he's heard of.
 
He did spend about 30 minutes driving around the parking lot - but it seems that at noon, on a clear day, there is enough ambient light to make me a liar. Most of my morning commute is with the headlights ON.
 
My two parts for the under storage bin came in, some consolation... they had a TSB for that!...also, there's a PENDING programming update for the rotten egg thing.
 
So this is the thanks I get for venturing into American cars. The Vibe may be built with "perceived" Japanese quality, but I think I am learning to stick with the original manufacturer/designer/Engineering just so updates happens - Joint Venture or not.
 
As in real life, information is key, and someone forgot to tell Pontiac to CHANGE THE PART.
 
About sensor/relay nomenclature - I had a toyota muffler replaced on my old corolla and the item was listed as "tail pipe assembly". Since they warranty the muffler for life, I had the same argument every few years, that the muffler = "tail pipe assembly". So maybe the sensor is part of the "relay assembly"...then again, maybe not.
 
Wax on, wax off...

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