2003 Pontiac Vibe GT | Really Weird Electrical Problem

THEAK

MEMBER
2003 PONTIAC VIBE
1.4L
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL

Sorry for the lengthy post but I wanted to get all the details out there since I'm not a car guy.

Day 1

So my problem began when I noticed I was able to drive my car to work (roughly 12mi drive) but I was not able to start it when I got off. I got a jump from a co-worker and was able to drive it home.

I charge the battery overnight with a trickle charger.

Day 2

Next morning I'm not able to start it. I'm thinking ok what's the deal?

So, I get the battery tested, it seems to test fine according to Wal-Mart.

I start to notice the only time I can start the car is if it has a jump. By some leap of logic, I begin to think that it is the alternator since the car will technically start, it's just not getting enough juice.

So, my friends and I misread an alternator test and take off a cable while it's running.

Apparently this is only a thing you should do to very old cars. Whoops

Day 3

From this point on, I think it's the alternator. We take it out, test it at AutoZone. Tests fine.

At this point, I'm completely lost, so as a last ditch effort I test the battery one more time according to Mr. AutoZone's advice. Battery tests fine at AutoZone, he suggests it's my terminals.

I replace the terminals and what do you know, IT STARTS AND WORKS.

Day 4-6

However, it doesn't last long. Over the weekend, weirdly enough I see my ABS and brake lights come on, with my radio dimming. Only happens every now and then. So I don't think anything of it. I've just been making short drives on the weekend.

Day 7-9

Monday rolls around. I can't even get up to 40mph on the interstate from the car giving out. I get a tow to the shop. I take it to a mechanic who tells me it's the coated terminals I replaced it with. Ok, I can buy that.

So he swaps out the battery with a new one and I think everything's fine.

Day 10

It starts up with the ABS lights, brake lights, and radio dimming again about 1mi away from getting to my work. Seems to drive a lot longer but at this point I'm clueless as to what it is.

The mechanic thinks I need to change the alternator now. Which I'm well versed at since I already took it out.

I already ordered an alternator online to do myself.
Is this the right next move?

TLDR: My ABS lights, brake lights, and radio dims every now and then which is a signal for me my car will not start soon. Is my alternator going out?

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,743 POSTS

Since 1987, GM has had a real big problem with their generators, but it sounds like you are experiencing what used to be a much more typical failure that can happen on any car. That is worn brushes inside the unit. That always starts out as intermittent operation, which is what you're describing by the dimming lights.

If you already have a new battery installed, leave it there. This generator design causes a real lot of repeat failures. Without going into all the detail, the battery must be replaced to prevent these repeat failures, unless it is less than about two years old.