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Question

The AWD on my 2003 Pontiac Vibe doesn't send power to the rear wheels when the car is in actual use. On the lift, the AWD seems to work fine. Pontiac dealer can't replicate the problem so he can't help. Any ideas?

Submitted: 187 days and 11 hours ago.

Category: Pontiac

Value: $15

Status: AWAITING CUSTOMER ACTION

Posted by Anthony 187 days and 10 hours ago.

Info Request

Hi and welcome to Just Answer!

What is exactly happening while the car is in use?

187 days and 10 hours ago.

Reply

The car runs/drives perfectly with no unusual sounds. A friend has a FWD Vibe and mine acts just like hers EXCEPT for the lack of power to the rear wheels when the front wheels spin. I don't know whether this is usual or not, but when one front wheel spins, the other does not. I would think if one spins, the power should be transferred to the other.

Posted by Anthony 187 days and 10 hours ago.

Info Request

Do you have traction control and a button to disable it?

187 days and 10 hours ago.

Reply

This is a 2003 Vibe w/ automatic transmission: should it have traction control? If it does, I don't know about it and I don't recall seeing anything about it in the owner's manual.

Posted by Anthony 187 days and 10 hours ago.

Answer

Ok, if you model has traction control, the front brakes would apply slightly to stop the spinning. Also there is a coupling inside of the transfer case that may be faulty causing you condition too. So the dealer says it's fine?

Posted by Anthony 187 days and 10 hours ago.

Answer

I'm sorry but I was slightly innacurate. The viscus coupling is mounted to the rear differential. That is your failure if you want the AWD to work like your friends Vibe. Do you need a diagram of it?

Posted by Anthony 187 days and 10 hours ago.

Answer

See below for a pic of the coupling:

View Full Image

187 days and 10 hours ago.

Reply

But, you didn't answer my follow-up question: should my 2003 Vibe have traction control? If it does, where is the button or whatever?

Posted by Anthony 187 days and 10 hours ago.

Answer

If it isnt in the manual then you dont. It is an option. Also the coupling is why your AWD isnt functioning the way you want to.

187 days and 10 hours ago.

Reply

Anthony, I just checked the owner's manual which has a generic diagram of all controls including options. There is NO traction control button or whatever! Also: the owner's manual says that the all-wheel drive operates or not without any action by the driver.

Please clarify.

Posted by Anthony 187 days and 10 hours ago.

Answer

Ok, thats correct. You dont have traction control because you have AWD. The coupling on the differential should do the transfer from power from the front wheels automatically. You would need to change the viscous coupling to make the AWD work right.

186 days and 23 hours ago.

Reply

Please note that in my reply to your first request for more information, I said that when one front wheel spins, the other does not, nor does the power transfer to the non-spinning wheel. How does the viscous coupler affecting just the rear wheels account for this characteristic?

Answer

If you had traction control that would alleviate this situation but you dont have that option. And as for your your feeling between you and you friends vibe, the viscous coupling is to blame.

Accepts:
Expert:	Anthony
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Answered:	5/20/2009

ASE Certified Technician

ASE Master Automobile Technician since 2000 17 Years + Exp.

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Question

The AWD on my 2003 Pontiac Vibe doesn't send power to the rear wheels when the car is in actual use. On the lift, the AWD seems to work fine. Pontiac dealer can't replicate the problem so he can't help. Any ideas?

Info Request

Hi and welcome to Just Answer! What is exactly happening while the car is in use?

Reply

Info Request

Do you have traction control and a button to disable it?

Reply

This is a 2003 Vibe w/ automatic transmission: should it have traction control? If it does, I don't know about it and I don't recall seeing anything about it in the owner's manual.

Answer

Ok, if you model has traction control, the front brakes would apply slightly to stop the spinning. Also there is a coupling inside of the transfer case that may be faulty causing you condition too. So the dealer says it's fine?

Answer

I'm sorry but I was slightly innacurate. The viscus coupling is mounted to the rear differential. That is your failure if you want the AWD to work like your friends Vibe. Do you need a diagram of it?

Answer

See below for a pic of the coupling: View Full Image

Reply

But, you didn't answer my follow-up question: should my 2003 Vibe have traction control? If it does, where is the button or whatever?

Answer

If it isnt in the manual then you dont. It is an option. Also the coupling is why your AWD isnt functioning the way you want to.

Reply

Anthony, I just checked the owner's manual which has a generic diagram of all controls including options. There is NO traction control button or whatever! Also: the owner's manual says that the all-wheel drive operates or not without any action by the driver.Please clarify.

Answer

Ok, thats correct. You dont have traction control because you have AWD. The coupling on the differential should do the transfer from power from the front wheels automatically. You would need to change the viscous coupling to make the AWD work right.

Reply

Please note that in my reply to your first request for more information, I said that when one front wheel spins, the other does not, nor does the power transfer to the non-spinning wheel. How does the viscous coupler affecting just the rear wheels account for this characteristic?

Answer

If you had traction control that would alleviate this situation but you dont have that option. And as for your your feeling between you and you friends vibe, the viscous coupling is to blame.

Related Pontiac Questions

Hi and welcome to Just Answer!

What is exactly happening while the car is in use?

See below for a pic of the coupling:

View Full Image

Anthony, I just checked the owner's manual which has a generic diagram of all controls including options. There is NO traction control button or whatever! Also: the owner's manual says that the all-wheel drive operates or not without any action by the driver.

Please clarify.