CEL for 3rd time?

Discuss any problems, warranty, repair, or replacement issues you are having with your Vibe & Matrix
Post Reply
msmyer
Posts: 1229
Joined: Mon May 13, 2002 12:00 pm

CEL for 3rd time?

Post by msmyer »

My CEL light has came on for the 3rd time in the past 4 months. My local shop has tried to correct it twice; the first time being a dirty sensor (no biggie) and the second time they came back with a code of:THERE WAS A CODE STORED OF -P0420 CAT EFFICIENCY LOW BANK 1. REPAIRS ARE REFERRED TO THE DEALER.After the second time they said if it came on again to take it into the dealer. Well, yesterday if came on again. My Vibe is 2003 Base with 72,000 miles. I do regular maintenance and just have been having the CEL troubles in the past few months. Any sugguestions/thoughts?Not sure of the GM emissions warranties.Thanks in advance....-Matt
‘03 Vibe with 317k and still going.............................

Other Mods: Sony X-Plod Headunit & Reflective White GVC decalMy Car at Cardomain.com... http://www.cardomain.com/id/msmyer
User avatar
millster
Posts: 2752
Joined: Tue Jun 18, 2002 4:49 am

Re: CEL for 3rd time? (msmyer)

Post by millster »

http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=19728Some good info for you in that thread. It seems that failure of the catalytic converter is rather common on some Vibes right around the higher 70K's. Looks like you can probably add yourself to that list.Someone can correct me on this but the emissions warranty on the Vibe is 80K miles, I believe.
-Millster-
2006 Toyota Matrix XR
1995 Saab 9000CSE 2.3T
1986 Jaguar XJ6 Vanden Plas (GM Drivetrain Conversion)
2007 Outback XT EJ257 2.6L Build
User avatar
joatmon
Posts: 10018
Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2003 5:19 am
Location: SMC MD

Re: CEL for 3rd time? (millster)

Post by joatmon »

Quote, originally posted by millster »Someone can correct me on this but the emissions warranty on the Vibe is 80K miles, I believe.you are right, in the 2003 warranty (link in http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=1010) t saysQuote, originally posted by Page15 »1. Federal Emission Control WarrantyBoth the Emission Defect Warranty and the EmissionPerformance Warranty described below begin on thedate the vehicle is first delivered or put into use andcontinues for a period of 2 years or 24,000 miles,whichever comes first.If a catalytic converter or vehicle (powertrain) controlmodule is found to be defective under either of thesewarranties, those parts are warranted for 8 years or80,000 miles, whichever comes first.There are some other coverages for California, (and MA and VT)
Image
msmyer
Posts: 1229
Joined: Mon May 13, 2002 12:00 pm

Re: CEL for 3rd time? (joatmon)

Post by msmyer »

I took it to the dealer in Dayton, Ohio today. They purposed that it could be either the sensor or the catalytic converter. They stated the converter was good for 8years/80,000 and if the sensor was the problem it would be my responsibility. Not sure if there is validity to that, but just in case does anyone have a copy of the 2003 codes. If the again get the P0420 it sound like the converter.Thoughts?
‘03 Vibe with 317k and still going.............................

Other Mods: Sony X-Plod Headunit & Reflective White GVC decalMy Car at Cardomain.com... http://www.cardomain.com/id/msmyer
msmyer
Posts: 1229
Joined: Mon May 13, 2002 12:00 pm

Re: CEL for 3rd time? (msmyer)

Post by msmyer »

UPDATE: Dealership just called and said my computer went out. 7,000 miles until the 80,000 powertrain went out. This will be all covered under warranty.
‘03 Vibe with 317k and still going.............................

Other Mods: Sony X-Plod Headunit & Reflective White GVC decalMy Car at Cardomain.com... http://www.cardomain.com/id/msmyer
Post Reply