GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I have a 2003 vibe that has California Emissions parts. I live in Minnesota and wonder if I can use the Eastern or non-California Catalytic Converter without messing up the computer.

I wouldnt think there would be any direct problem. The Cat is a mechanical device and not an electronic device.

Quote, originally posted by zionzr2 »I wouldnt think there would be any direct problem. The Cat is a mechanical device and not an electronic device. Well, what specifically if different between California Emission Vibes and non California Emission Vibes?Something has to be different; either the ECU or Cat. Maybe both. My suggestion is go into your local Toyota Dealer and do some research 1st.

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I think I found out the hard way...

I would've sworn that the Vibe I bought from a dealer in West Virginia was Federal emissions. I even had the federal cat installed.

Nine months later, on a really cold day and a short trip, she threw a CEL: P0420

Brought it in thinking that she was just running rich and causing the cat to overheat.

Mechanic says it running great and can't find anything wrong.

Guess I'll run it until it starts rattling...

Seems the AWD cats are hard to find, so the next one may be a universal with California emissions.

Is anything rattling? P0420 can be caused by many things. Vacuum leaks are common.
Has the gasket between the intake manifold and head been replaced? If not this will unregulated air to get in to the intake which screws up the air/fuel ratio. Also faulty oxygen sensor can result in this code.

Unfortunately, the AWD cars have an extra catalyst in the exhaust manifold, which fail a higher rates compared to the FWD cars. If this is failure is actually caused by the manifold catalyst, you will need to replace the manifold, and they are around $370 +shipping (first one I found https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/ ... ifold-scat).

Thanks, SJ.

I had to disconnect the battery to clean the MAF, so the code is clear for now. Nothing rattling so far...

When I replaced the exhaust in February, I did it direct fit (federal emissions ) from the manifold back, not including the cat inside the manifold. Replaced the O2 sensors at the same time and all the pipe gaskets.

Did the intake manifold gasket in the summer of 2016. Yes, I used the orange one

Will update if the code comes back...