Quick help Please!

[burrpenick]

The check engine light came on recently on my 03 base VIbe. The car has 70k miles and seems to run fine. Not sure if the MPG has dropped or not just yet. The code reader says O2 sensor, but I was not told which one. Was also told that the cat could be plugged some and that would cause the error code. I'm hoping that someone has encountered the problem and can help me out. Thanks, George in Tallahassee

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[joatmon]

- the 70K coverage may be my misreading of the emissions warranty Looks like the O2 sensors are covered in the emissions warranty up to 70,000 miles, but you are probably past that. The catalytic converter, however, is covered up to 80,000 miles, so if it is the converter, it should be a warranty repair.The way things work, I'd expect the first O2 sensor to affect engine performance, but it sounds like you are not having any performance problems. I had a P0420 that I had to replace the converter to fix. DO you know what the exact trouble code was? The O2 sensors are relatively easy to replace, and cheaper than a converter. If it is an O2 sensor, it would be god to only have to replace one of them, so it would be good to know which one is bad.

[VforVIBE]

Hey Florida Vibe!!!

[burrpenick]

I believe it was 420 but he didnt say if it was the top or bottom one. I have not noticed ANY driveability issues since the light came on. Not sure about the MPG, it could be down some. The muffler shop wanted $80 to check the converter and said they doubt its plugged at 70k anyway, but can Auto Zone tell me if its the front or back sensor? They are $111 and 75 respectivly. I could live with the light, but if the MPG is down I want to fix it for sure. No emissions check here in FLpenick@nettally.com

[VforVIBE]

you could always disconnect your battery for a minute to restart your computer and see if the light goes way.

[burrpenick]

That trouble code may have been 422, can't remember now, that or 420 as I remember. What do you think about the converter being plugged at 70k? How many miles did you get?penick@nettally.com

[RIT]

I'm pretty sure that the O2 sensor is only guaranteed for 3/36k miles. The cat conv. is 80K miles. My P0420 was fixed with a new cat conv. Under warranty !

[18stars]

If there aren't any drivabilty problems and you cannot notice any performance changes I'd wait and see if the light resets as it does with a loose gas cap situation. Sometimes its best not to rush. A mechanic once told me that so long as the car was running fine there was no need to be overly worried. I had an O2 sensor problem once (not with the Vibe) and there was no question something was wrong. Good luck.

[burrpenick]

Anyone removed their cat converter altogether, or just cleaned it out?

[joatmon]

you are probably right, the emissions warranty is confusing, the 70K miles part may be only in California, or places that require California emissions standardshttp://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=19728 has some discussion of P0420.

[burrpenick]

Someone sent me to a good thread on this, so I followed the instructions and first replaced my spark plugs. I had installed a set of regular plugs around 50k and went with Autolite platuims this time. I reset the CEL and so far it has not come back on (2 days of light commuting). If it does, I plan to replace the front O2 sensor since that was the original 420 code call out. I see both the sensors and convertercat can be purchased off Ebay for lots less than local prices, the cat is GM stuff-$260 shipped, the sensor is about $65 shipped. Comments PLEASE!!!!!!! george in Tallahassee penick@nettally.com

[Lancer]

Quote, originally posted by burrpenick »Anyone removed their cat converter altogether, or just cleaned it out? I have the permenant p0420 cel.[edited for better clarity]The P0420 code is for emissions that use mostly the second O2 sensor. It takes readings from both sensors to see how much the cat has removed the bad gasess. It's your cat. converter. Nothing wrong with your engine. Your engine uses the first O2 sensor to regulate air/fuel ratio. It's only an emissions problem (unless it's clogging your exhaust which it doesn't sound like it is.)You can pick one up for under $40 on e-bay and have a local exhaust shop install it for under $50.

[burrpenick]

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