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Pontiac Vibe Engine Questions

169 messages,  Last post on Mar 07, 2013 at 9:58 AM

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

Messages Page 12 of 18

#108 of 169 Re: 09 transmission problem [maxx4me] by maxx4me

Jul 29, 2009 (3:26 pm)

Replying to: maxx4me (Jul 29, 2009 3:16 pm)
Here's the chatter from over at GenVibe:
 
New bulletin.
#09-07-30-010: Harsh Transmission Downshift When Stopping After Transaxle Has Upshifted to 4th or 5th Gear (Reprogram Powertrain Control Module (PCM)) - (May 13, 2009)
 
Subject: Harsh Transmission Downshift When Stopping After Transaxle Has Upshifted to 4th or 5th Gear (Reprogram Powertrain Control Module (PCM))
 
Models: 2009 Pontiac Vibe
 
Equipped With 5-Speed Automatic Transmission -- RPO MVD
 
Condition
Some customers may comment that they experienced a harsh downshift feeling when coming to a stop after the transmission has been in 4th or 5th gear.
 
Cause
This condition may be caused by the PCM calibration for the 2-1 downshift not being optimized.
 
Correction
Important: Before proceeding with the reprogramming procedure in this bulletin, the Vibe Programming Application MUST be downloaded and installed on the PC. Refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 09-06-04-006.
 
A revised calibration has been developed to address this condition.
 
Transmission Calibration Information
Vehicle Type
Old Calibration
Revised Calibration
 
Base Vibe
30280000
30280200
 
Base Vibe
30280100
30280200
 
Vibe GT
30282000
30282200
 
Vibe GT
30282100
30282200

#109 of 169 Re: 09 transmission problem [maxx4me] by leed1

Jul 30, 2009 (6:20 am)

Replying to: maxx4me (Jul 29, 2009 3:26 pm)
thanks maxx. i did have that work done and the problem still persits. the downshifting seems a bit less harsh but its still there. i don't understand why the issue is only with some of the vehicles?
 
i'm concerned if the problem does not correct itself as suggested in some forums that i'm stuck with this problem with no recourse.

#110 of 169 Re: 09 transmission problem [leed1] by maxx4me

Jul 30, 2009 (1:16 pm)

Replying to: leed1 (Jul 30, 2009 6:20 am)
leed1: I know we would serve the entire audience better if this topic moved over to the transmission page. Moderator, feel free to do so; thanks.
I just read on genvibe that you are indeed correct; people who have had the computer reflashed have noticed only a modest improvement, and MOST important, that this problem is also prevalent in the Corollas and Matrix. Toyota has a problem here, so I hope their engineers are trying to find out what the solution is. You can research this on many Toyota chat sites. We're all in this together.

#111 of 169 '07 pontiac vibe power train control module by hardcharger43

Aug 07, 2009 (12:41 pm)

My 2007 Pontiac Vibe with 12, 800 miles ran poorly last night before refusing to start. It was towed to the dealer who diagnosed the problem as a defective "power train control module." This AC Delco part will be replaced under warranty. However, the three year warranty ends in a few months. The part itself costs about $600. Is this a common ailment with Vibes? Will the Toyota Matrix version fit? Or did Toyota buy their version from a different vendor? My last three cars have been problematic GM products ('92 GMC Vandura, '98 GMC Jimmy, and '02 Chevrolet Blazer - I still have the Blazer). I was hoping that this would be all Toyota except for the sheet metal. Now I have learned that AC Delco, whose quality has deteriorated badly over the years, furnished the electronics and other parts. I bought the Vibe with GM card dollars before canceling the card. This will probably be my last GM product as I join everyone else in buying imports. Now I wonder if I should buy an extended warranty. One of these control modules every 13,000 miles would quickly pay for it. Any ideas and experiences would be helpful. Thanks!

#112 of 169 Re: '07 pontiac vibe power train control module [hardcharger43] by maxx4me

Aug 07, 2009 (2:12 pm)

Replying to: hardcharger43 (Aug 07, 2009 12:41 pm)
sorry for your troubles. It was my understanding that the first gen Vibe is all Corolla except for the radio and sheet metal. I was not aware that Delco furnished anything else. I'd be suprised if you ran into other problems. Consumer Reports and members of genvibe report few problems with versions other than the 2003.

#113 of 169 Re: 09 transmission problem [leed1] by trysh

Aug 11, 2009 (1:32 pm)

Replying to: leed1 (Jul 28, 2009 9:00 am)
I took my 2009 Vibe GT into dealers today, we purchased it two months ago, downshifting is bumpy and car jumps when coming to stop or shifting up. This is what worries me an accident waiting to happen. They are saying it is a Toyota problem and they are aware of this issue, Toyota's engineers are working on it. This is the second time we have had the car in the shop, mentioning the shifting problem before, but of course when the mechanic test drives it nothing happens. He did notice the bumpy shifting.
 
I called the toll free number to GM Contact Center to register this complaint, and they told me they will stay on top of it and maybe have to call in a Toyota Engineer to service our car.
 
I was polite to tell them that if after this problem is reported and an accident happens I will gladly sue.
 
Anyone have any luck getting this problem fixed? I can't seem to find any information on the surging??!? Seems to be getting worse with time.

#114 of 169 Re: 09 transmission problem [trysh] by leed1

Aug 11, 2009 (1:46 pm)

Replying to: trysh (Aug 11, 2009 1:32 pm)
trysh, check out the post maxx4me put up regarding a bulleting pulled off the GenVibe website. i think you need the upgrade done and its free of charge. copy the bulleting and take it in to your dealer. it might not fix the problem but it should lessen it until a more permanent solution is found.
i received a call from GM today regarding my complaint and they are convinced the issue will resolve itself after 5000-7000 kms. in my case if it still pursists after that i will get some type of resolve....whatever that means.
anyway i'm taking this conversation to GenVibe as there may be more hits on the issue.
maxx thanks eh.

#115 of 169 Re: 09 transmission problem [leed1] by maxx4me

Aug 11, 2009 (4:43 pm)

Replying to: leed1 (Aug 11, 2009 1:46 pm)
when I took my Corolla Vibe in for the downshift problem, the dealer naturally said that they could not replicate the issue and also said that the TSB only applied to the Camry Vibe with the 5 speed tranny. I laughed and said: then why does my 4 speed tranny do the same thing as thousands of others that have posted the same problem?? At least now I have it on record. I'm at 12,000 miles and I don't see any possibility that the "issue will resolve itself."
What I most want to know from all of you is: does anyone's Corolla Vibe (1.8 liter, 4 speed tranny) downshift from 4th to 3rd when going down a hill when you just tap the brake? It acts like a brake assist feature, which to my knowledge, does not exist. With all due respect to genvibe, they are pretty much asleep at the switch over there. We need more discussion on this issue. At genvibe, they seem more interested in saying hello to new members vice discussing serious issues.
Any thoughts from you 1.8 liter 09 or 2010 Vibe owners would be greatly appreciated. I don't hold out any hope that my tranny is still "learning my driving habits" and the downshift issue will go away over time.
In the end, my greatest tranny frustration occurs when I have the air conditioning on, and I need the car to downshift to pass or accelerate. I often get a serious delay before the car will downshift from 3rd to 2nd to give me more power. At other times, I can "slam" the transmission when pushing the car to downshift to 2nd. Anybody else have a similar experience?

#116 of 169 Re: 09 transmission problem [maxx4me] by leed1

Aug 12, 2009 (9:57 am)

Replying to: maxx4me (Aug 11, 2009 4:43 pm)
sorry maxx mine is the 2.4L 5 speed auto. your right about GenVibe being less than active about this issue. i posted on there awhile back and got little response. also i'm not hearing nearly enough from anywhere if this problem has been resolved for folks, other than a few posts that it went away after so many miles/kms. like you i don't really believe it will go away on its own and will keep picking away where i can.

#117 of 169 Re: 09 transmission problem [leed1] by maxx4me

Aug 12, 2009 (3:44 pm)

Replying to: leed1 (Aug 12, 2009 9:57 am)
yeah, again, the word on the street is that the TSB on the 5 speed tranny stating that a reflash of the PCM will do the trick, apparently doesn't. Toyota engineers are busy trying to figure it out. I just wish that 4 speed Corolla Vibe owners would be more vocal since there is no doubt mine also jumps occationally when coming to a stop, and I also have problems asking the tranny to downshift from 3rd to 2nd when the A/C is on.

Messages Page 12 of 18

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