Vibe Maintenance & Repair Concerns

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Comments

  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    Yep, I had the same noise with my Corolla's fan. Many of the parts on our Vibe/Matrix have been in production for awhile. Sorry, I can only offer sympathy. I lived with my noise for 13 years.
  • mcdawggmcdawgg Member Posts: 1,722
    Very easy to replace - cost about $80 for the part, about 20 minutes to do. Just look on line at a Toyota parts dealer that has a good parts catalog (1st toyota parts) and order it. Have at it with a screw driver, and the problem will be solved.
  • hmarhmar Member Posts: 15
    From what I've been hearing in conversations with mechanics, the stock tires that Toyota ships the car with are not exactly the best out there - complaints have ranged from noise to weak traction on wet roads.
    Based on the generally poor road conditions here in NY, I have a feeling that I'll be replacing my factory tires with a set of Pirelli or some other quality brand by the time the 06-07 winter season hits.
  • whitematrixwhitematrix Member Posts: 6
    Thanks, It looked like it should be pretty simple.
  • gasman1gasman1 Member Posts: 321
    My experience has been that most manufacturers cut their costs with "CHEAP" OEM tires. For years, I've been trading tires within a few days of trading tires. I get a nice discount by doing it within the first 500 miles.

    My '05 Matrix has Michelin HYDRO Edge tires. They haven't performed well (noise & poor snow traction). My Highlander has Goodyear Triple Edge tires and they are EXCELLENT. Without a doubt, the best tires I've ever owned. Consumer Reports nad The Tire rack both have great reviews on this tire. Goodyear also makes a Triple Edge in the Matrix/Vibe size.

    As for the previous posts concerning cupping tires and floating ride. That's just not right. No problems like that with the Matrix or our '03 Vibe. Cupping is normally caused by bad bearings or shocks/springs. The suspension must be inspected. It could also be a loose or missing attachment bolt.
  • tomsr1tomsr1 Member Posts: 130
    WOW,24000k miles, that is 24000000 miles if you use the term K correctly.centi,milli,kilo,mega, go it.
  • fear_hopefear_hope Member Posts: 90
    Opps...I meant to put 24000 miles or 24K miles...
  • csmatrixcsmatrix Member Posts: 13
    I didn't have anything in the carge compartment when I heard the sqeaks and rattles. I only her it over broken pavement. I have a mat in the cargo area.
  • jsands6jsands6 Member Posts: 1
    I am having a problem with the brake pedal popping and
    actually moving when coming to a stop. It has been back to the dealer 4 times and the pedal assembly was ordered to
    maybe fix this. After this next time they are not sure what
    to do next. Anyone else having or had this problem? :mad:
  • yd91232yd91232 Member Posts: 2
    Just bo't used 2005 Vibe with no owners manual in sight so found your instructions helpfull except maybe I went too far :-) Took the whole glove box out so now can't figure out how to re-attach the "plastic" cylinder on right side of box. Advice?
  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    he, he....I just went out to see what you were talking about, and it fell out into my hands as well. As I see it, it really serves no function at all. There are two holes on the bottom of the cylinder which (one of them) can slide over a plastic pin near the circular cut out on the lower right side. It doesn't matter. Simply put the cylinder over to the right side, where it looks like it will fit into that circular cut, and then fit the glove box back into place. Eventually, you will get the glove box set back where it belongs, open and close it a few times, and it will resume its normal operation again. Give it a try. It just takes some fudging.
  • yd91232yd91232 Member Posts: 2
    I had already done what you suggested before I sent inquiry (am retired design engineer so mechanical apptitude on the high side, no brag, just fact) and assumed as you did that one of the holes on cyl would slip over split pin somehow. Looks like you'd have to do it when box back in place. Your right, when I got the box set back in works as before.
  • scrappydscrappyd Member Posts: 27
    I found the same thing. I had to replace my Toyota Camry this past month! Stinking drunk driver totalled it while it was parked in my drive way. Anyway, after 15 test drives in a 2003 PV and then trying the 2005 PV (base edition) I found the same thing. I went with 2005 because it already had higher emission stds then 2003, more safety items added. I have seen more "issues" with the engine and cooling system with the 2005 then the 2003 though. Good luck in your search. ;)
  • freer1freer1 Member Posts: 2
    can anyone tell me where the fuel filter is located in an 2004 vibe... have the part but don't know where to stick it.. thanks
  • kmaurerkmaurer Member Posts: 48
    The fuel filter is located in the fuel tank.
  • hmarhmar Member Posts: 15
    I'm picking up my new Matrix in 2 days and I have a question about the break in period. Everyone says not to drive at one speed for too long, but nobody says what "too long" means. 30 minutes? 2 hours? If I'm out there varying from 35 to 60 every 30 seconds, I'll be the victim of road rage pretty fast! Of course, a rush hour drive in NY is basically that kind of driving.

    I'm planning on a 350 mile drive at the end of the month, and I definitely won't be through the break-in period by then. Cruise control will stay off for the break-in, but what am I supposed to do during those 6 hours behind the wheel?
  • steine13steine13 Member Posts: 2,825
    Vary your speed between 55 and 65, and at 55, vary the gear between 4th and 5th.

    It ain't that big a deal anymore...

    -Mathias
  • freer1freer1 Member Posts: 2
    Thanks kmaurer... then my next question is- is there and easy way to access it / do you have to drop the tank?! Cheers
  • herzogtum71herzogtum71 Member Posts: 470
    I saw a discussion about this somewhere -- maybe not in reference to Toyotas. The conclusion was that there is no recommendation to change the fuel filter, so there is no quick and easy way to do it.
  • fear_hopefear_hope Member Posts: 90
    Does anyone know how to turn off the Change Oil Light/Message after changing the oil. We prefer to do-it-ourselves...
  • jpmccormacjpmccormac Member Posts: 98
    Check your owners' manual; there should be a sequence of taps/switching on the trip meter that allows you to reset this.
  • mcdawggmcdawgg Member Posts: 1,722
    Don't bother changing the fuel filter in Corollas/Vibe/Matrix. It is not recommended by Toyota since 1997. All the 98 and newer have it in the fuel tank, and there have been no problems with any '98 and newer. See other forums/websites, it will tell you don't bother.
  • fear_hopefear_hope Member Posts: 90
    Thanks! I'll look in the manual tomorrow when I go out. (It's dark, chilly and raining right now.)
  • fear_hopefear_hope Member Posts: 90
    The sheet the dealer showed me when I was choosing my Vibe said that the power door locks are programmable. However I could not find any reference, nor instructions re: programming in the owner's manual. I would like to change them to unlock when the car is put in Park instead of when I turn off the ignition. Does anyone know anything about them?
  • 2006vibe2006vibe Member Posts: 1
    My 2006 Pontiac Vibe is 1 month old and has only about 900 miles on it. It has been to the dealership for service 4 times already, for the same problem-when you hit the brakes,the car pulls to the right, sometimes the brake pedal is really hard to depress. Often there is a "popping" noise in the brake pedal. The dealership tells me there is nothing wrong with the car, and that I need to get use to the new car. I have two small children and I am very uneasy about driving them around in this vehicle, but it's my "new" car, and I have no other choice but to. :mad:
  • hmarhmar Member Posts: 15
    Just picked up my '06 XR 4 days ago. We've had two heavy rainstorms since then, and I've noticed water along the bottoms of the door jambs, in both the passenger and driver's side, as well as the hatch. It doesn't seem to be coming into the cabin, but I don't recall seeing this on any other car.
    Has anyone else noticed this? Is it normal?
  • herzogtum71herzogtum71 Member Posts: 470
    The service people at your dealership are true bozos if they think there is nothing wrong with brakes pulling to the right. Is there another dealer you could take it to?

    If your Vibe has ABS and you're not used to them, the popping noise may be the ABS activating. But they shouldn't activate during normal stopping. So there's also some sort of problem with that noise.
  • fear_hopefear_hope Member Posts: 90
    I looked in my manual and there is not a page 113 at all. Also I cannot find how to turn off the indicator light after changing the oil anywhere in the manual. Does anyone have a 2006 Pontiac Vibe and know how to turn off the Change Oil indicator light? Thanks!
  • tonyc8tonyc8 Member Posts: 3
    Thanks for the response. I did buy the 2003 because the price and all the perks were great. I'm very happy with the car, but the transmission is definitely not as smooth as the 2005. My friend bought the '05 and loves it as well. :D
  • fear_hopefear_hope Member Posts: 90
    Also if anyone has a 2006 Matrix the instructions to turn off the light after oil changes should be the same. Can you please post the instructions here? Thanks!
  • nick2006matrixnick2006matrix Member Posts: 42
    1st make sure your odometer is in the regular mode (not the trip odometer mode). Then put the key to the acc. position. Now as you turn the key to the on position hold the trip odometer reset button in until the light goes out.
  • fear_hopefear_hope Member Posts: 90
    Thanks so much! I really didn't think the GM dealership would want to share that information...
  • nick2006matrixnick2006matrix Member Posts: 42
    This procedure is in the Matrix owner's manual. The Vibe manual does not include it?
  • whitematrixwhitematrix Member Posts: 6
    My manual transmission 2003 Matrix w/ 70K on it has just started making this little hummmmmm when I start off in first or reverse the first time I take off. No other gear makes that little 2-3 second melodic him. I have never had anything done to the transmission or if it has fluid or anything.
  • scrappydscrappyd Member Posts: 27
    Not sure if this is related but I noticed some condensation on 05 PV. I noticed that the weatherstrip inside 2 windows (where the mositure was noticed)was not level and rolled in correctly. Since I'm still under bumper to bumper warranty I made an appointment to have them fix this next week. I will say the repair mgr wasn't too inclined to want to fix this so I had to talk with his boss who told me to bring in the car and yes, that would cause pooling of water. I'll let you know what happens
  • scrappydscrappyd Member Posts: 27
    Anyone..my PV 05 tires have 28 - 30 psi lbs in them. The tires say 44PSI. I asked the dealership when the car was serviced last week to inflate them. The repair mgr (who has been sliding on other issues) said that 30 lbs of pressure is enough on hot texas ground and 44 psi is too much! I'm thinking that maybe this was true long time ago before tires were made better and that I should make sure the tires have 44 psi and that I make sure the dealership does that since there have been many issues on PV's tire wear on different websites. Any input? :confuse:
  • maxx4memaxx4me Member Posts: 1,340
    I did not know that there was a PSI rating on any tire except for the donut spares and bicycle tires. You should always follow the sticker on the inside of the driver's door and/or the owner's manual. Weight and distribution is different on all cars. There is no way a tire can "know" how best to be inflated for all models.
  • fear_hopefear_hope Member Posts: 90
    No, it is not in the Vibe manual. But the dealership sent me a welcome letter telling me about the light and how the mechanic will turn it off after service when I come in for oil changes!
  • gasman1gasman1 Member Posts: 321
    The 44psi you read is the MAX psi for the tire. Tires will fit several vehicles. Different vehicle manufacturers make specific psi for their vehicles that may differ from another manufacturer using the same size tire.

    Your dealership is correct that 30psi is the prescribed psi. The tires will "heat-up" while driving and the psi will increase as tire temp increases. There are some TRUCK tires that have 40psi recommendations, but their tires are rated at MAX psi of 60. Some large trucks run at 90-110psi, but again their MAX psi is higher.

    If you will tow or be fully loaded (weight), you may choose to increase your tire pressure to 32 or 33 psi (10% over recommended psi). The ride may be different and could adversely effect some handling characteristics.
  • herzogtum71herzogtum71 Member Posts: 470
    That's pretty sleezy of both GM and your dealer....
  • riproyriproy Member Posts: 57
    I am still in awe that people like to run their vehicles long enough to melt ice on their vehicles, even today when people are complaining of high fuel costs. Add to this that idling is very hard on a combustion engine.

    Ice scrapers can be purchased for about $3 at your local automotive or hardware shop. It takes a couple of minutes to clear windows.

    I suppose i take this more seriously than most because i am commute to work by bicycle. Passing car after car that is parked and idling, and breathing their fumes - it isn't pleasant. Pedestrians face the same situation. It is unfortunate that those who pollute the least are exposed to the most.

    I am not a raving lunatic that refuses to drive at all or someone wealthy enough to drive hybrids. I do try to drive as little as possible.

    I'm afraid that our plant hasn't a chance with a population this _____ (fill the blank with your own adjective).

    Have a good day.
  • jstant01jstant01 Member Posts: 65
    I tend to agree with you, although as someone living in Michigan, where we used to have several below zero mornings prior to the recent advent of global warming, I will say I have been guilty of this at times. Ice scrapers work, except if you scrape before the car is heated up, you still can't get in and go because on very cold mornings, it will frost right back over almost instantly if the defrost isn't cranking out heat. My impatience has led to a couple of near misses as I tried to get going down the road with a scraped windshield that frosted back over.

    In regards to the Vibe's heat, however, I will say it sucks compared to other cars I have owned. I was one of the original posters in this thread, and what was concerning me was that my Vibe's heat would decrease (and the temperature gauge would go down) if I was idling at say a stop light or a stop sign on very cold days. In other words, after the car was fully warmed, the engine temp would drop if the car wasn't moving.

    I'll soon be joining you in a bike commute. I'm giving up my 70 mile daily commute and am moving to downtown where it's only 4 blocks to my office. The apartment building where I will live will also give free rides in an electric vehicle to downtown commuters. So, I'm doing my part, I guess. I'm sick of big oil - in more ways than one.
  • jtomjtom Member Posts: 26
    hi all. I have an 03 XRS and continue to scrape my bumper cover (not sure if it's the correct term, but you know the 2 superlow plastic parts under the bumper) on everything. I have fog lights and noticed the 06 matrixes aren't as low. Does anyone know if there is an aftermarket fix or can I buy a '06 piece to fit my car? thanks, julie
  • herzogtum71herzogtum71 Member Posts: 470
    I think this is what some people in this forum have referred to as "cladding." The plastic parts that hang low to the ground are a pain. You scrape the front bumper cover if you pull into a parking space all the way to a curb. Somehow we lost the back passenger side panel -- someone maybe backed into a snow drift or something. It wasn't cheap to replace, and the technician commented that "usually it's the front ones we have to replace." We have had the car for almost 4 years now, and I'm still not a fan of that aspect of the design.
  • scrappydscrappyd Member Posts: 27
    Hi back. Interesting, last night my right side front grill literally fell out of the socket while parked. Didn't take enough time looking underneath the used car. There were lots of scrapes. Good news though - the dearlership said since it's bummer to bumer coverage they are replacing the entire grill and resetting the screws on the plastic base front and back. Several were missing. They did say this is a "usual issue" with the low base. Bummer!! :P
  • lostwrenchlostwrench Member Posts: 288
    The vehicle moving, has sufficient airflow through the radiator, thus there is no need for the radiator fan to turn on. The vehicle not moving, has insufficient airflow through the radiator, thus the coolant temperature rises to a level which turns on the radiator fan. The running radiator fan is far more efficient in passing air through the radiator than its being off when the vehicle is moving. The coolant is therefore at a lower temperature when the vehicle is stopped.
  • jtomjtom Member Posts: 26
    scrppyd-

    " bummer to bumer coverage " is correct! :)

    thanks for your reply, I'll keep looking for solutions.
  • bill_tbill_t Member Posts: 2
    Hi peoples. :)

    I have a 04 Vibe and the blower fan quit working all of a sudden. I need some help. I am in the Caribbean and it's getting into the 100's now. This is what I have found out.

    1. The blower fan works if connected directly to the battery.
    2. The A/C fuse is good.
    3. The A/C switch works as the A/C light on the A/C button comes on when you turn the switch on.
    4. The compressor engages and disengages with the A/C switch also.
    5. Their is no blower movement on any fan speed setting.
    6. The blower has no movement with the heater on.

    Any advice on what I can check would be of great help. My 2 year old and I will thank you. :)

    Bill
  • bill_tbill_t Member Posts: 2
    I found it. Their are three unlabeled relays next to the under dash fuse panel. I tapped on one and it started working.
    Stuck relay was all.
  • scrappydscrappyd Member Posts: 27
    The good news is the blower fan works on battery.
    I could be in total left field on this but it seems like you've already checked
    the control panel and the button itself.

    Have you checked to see if some loose wire or metal , mineral build up
    is grounding the compressor or the wiring behind the control panel.

    Not sure how hot it is out there or windy but if two wires melted together -one could be grounding the other in the relay

    Is the battery fulled charged and the motor fan at least at 12 volts?

    Which island in the caribbean! Wow! Sounds nice
    d :shades:
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