obd question=-

[jamesmetairie]

i just bought a 2005 vibe.now i see the previous owner left jumper cables in the back.

question =- does the "obd" device store codes if the vibe had previous electrical problems?

[Rayven01]

Stored codes are reset when you reset the check engine light. The best you could hope for if the light is off is for there to be pending codes (issues that have been detected but not confirmed to be a problem yet). The only other thing along that line is the emissions readiness checks, but if those are not complete yet that just means the CEL was reset recently, not that there is still a problem.

That being said just because there are jumper cables in the back doesn't mean there were problems. My entire extended family carries jumper cables in every car in case of emergency (not just our own, but to help out others who don't carry cables). I consider it a bonus when a used car comes with a set already.

[ColonelPanic]

I have a set of jumper cables in a roadside kit in my brand new (well, 11k ago it was) Sonic. You never know. Of course, silly me - I don't have any where it could really be nice to have. That would be in the Vibe with an 8 year old battery.


At least they weren't carrying around a spare alternator like I used to do with one of my cars. Then you'd know something was up with the electrics. Perhaps they were burned by the not-so-great original battery. Or had a forgetful family member who constantly left their lights on. As long as the car hasn't been submerged or brought back to life by after a serious accident, I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you start seeing problems, then worry about it.

[jamesmetairie]

I have a set of jumper cables in a roadside kit in my brand new (well, 11k ago it was) Sonic. You never know. Of course, silly me - I don't have any where it could really be nice to have. That would be in the Vibe with an 8 year old battery.


At least they weren't carrying around a spare alternator like I used to do with one of my cars. Then you'd know something was up with the electrics. Perhaps they were burned by the not-so-great original battery. Or had a forgetful family member who constantly left their lights on. As long as the car hasn't been submerged or brought back to life by after a serious accident, I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you start seeing problems, then worry about it.

submerged=-??.
manufacted date = 03/2005.
about 6 months before katrina hit.
i bought the vibe from 2nd owner near biloxi,mississippi.
couple of days ago i was detailing the car and found debris in the spare tire well. also stuck my hand down in the little cuby hole storage compartments in that area. dirty down there.
how could it get dirt on both sides ??

now i see the rear passenger door handle has a solid rusty screw.
the bolts that hold the seats to the floor seem to be corroded.

could this be bad news?

last night the vibe was idling at about 800 rpm,s.
with a warm engine.

this morning it was idling at 1500 rpm,s with a cold engine.

yes
i want to kick my own (removed) !!

[kumquat]

https://www.nicb.org/theft_and_fraud_awareness/vincheck" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.vehiclehistory.gov/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.carfax.com/entry.cfx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Check the VIN to see if the car has been salvaged or otherwise. If it was and he didn't tell you, you may be able to successfully sue in small claims.

BTW, slightly higher idle in a cold engine is normal on these cars.