O2 Sensors and ECM

[MannyL]

I have an 09 PONTIAC VIBE FWD 'GT' built in April 2008 with over 95,000 miles on it.

For the past year or so I've had the check engine and traction lights come on solid and the VSC light flashing. This would only happen when it was damp out (usually) I took it to my local dealer which is not where it was purchased. They saw a lean code so suggested cleaning the Throttle Body. They said to come back if the problem returned and it did so I did.

That's when I got the bad news that it was an intermittent short in a control module. I was quoted 738 for the unit and 220 for labor. I was debating what to do and I called Pontiac. After speaking to someone there who was going to talk to the dealer Pontiac agreed to pay half the bill. I was pleased and surprised because my warranty had run out by now just on mileage.

After having the dealer service it I picked it up and drove less than 500 feet when the problem returned. I turned right around and brought it back. After more diagnostic tests it was determined that an O2 sensor had gone bad. The dealer said that GM was going to replace both sensors for free.

Today I got my baby back and I'm happy. I'm very pleased how GM and the dealer took care of me.

[Salsa Guy]

So my understanding you were charged nothing for the ECM and O2 replacement?

[MannyL]

No I was charged $412.54 for the ECM replacement (half the original quote) and nothing for the 02 Sensors

[Salsa Guy]

Really....So they mis-diagnosis you car charge you $400 and give you the O2s for free. I would be raising hell. O2s are a $50 part and 10 minutes to install.

[MannyL]

Really....So they mis-diagnosis you car charge you $400 and give you the O2s for free. I would be raising hell. O2s are a $50 part and 10 minutes to install.

I have no way to prove that error codes P0607 and C1901 were not the Electronic Control Module. I didn't ask for the old pars and if I had I had no way to test it.

If Pontiac hadn't agreed to pay half I would have been looking at $998 then being told I needed O2's as well.

I don't understand how O2's can cause the VSC and Traction Disabled Lights to activate though

[Salsa Guy]

The PCM should never, ever fail unless you have water or electrical issue. Toyota had a major recall over early DBW 1zz PCMs, but that didn't afftect your car. Did you read them or they?

Could a bad O2 cause PCM issues? Sure it could. What is interesting is the issue only came up when it's damp?

Look if you are happy with the out come that's all that counts. My hope is the car runs great and you have no more issues.

[MannyL]

The PCM should never, ever fail unless you have water or electrical issue. Toyota had a major recall over early DBW 1zz PCMs, but that didn't afftect your car. Did you read them or they?

Could a bad O2 cause PCM issues? Sure it could. What is interesting is the issue only came up when it's damp?

Look if you are happy with the out come that's all that counts. My hope is the car runs great and you have no more issues.

If you are asking if I read the codes or they did. The dealership I had it at (not where I bought it) read the codes.

They VSC was flashing and check engine and traction lights were solid. When they pulled the codes they said it was P0607 and C1901. I never found out what C1901 meant.

What does "annoy" me a little is when I discussed the problem with them (naturally the lights weren't on then) they had found 3 stored codes two were history not current and the other code was a lean code (reading this from their Work Order)
56.50 in parts and 85.95 in labor to replace the air filter and clean the throttle body and that wasn't even the problem.

They said the bad PCM "intermittent short" killed the O2 sensor and yes the problem only seemed to happen after it rained or snowed. No issues with the car wash however.

My hope is the car has no more issues. In the 96K I've had it only issues were tires and wipers so far. I'm not exactly "happy" with the outcome because I don't think it's really fixed. According to an older threadviewtopic.php?t=29334 Results was snow build up in the rear end of the car, pushed one of the engine sensors out of line or something like that.

I do feel better knowing if I hadn't called Pontiac I would have paid close to a grand for a repair that didn't resolve the issue.

[Salsa Guy]

I agree with you that the problem maybe still lurking. If the O2 sensor had issues I'm not sure it would cause the PCM to fail but could cause it to do other bad things. The Cxxxx code doesn't come up on any searches. Good luck!

[MannyL]

I agree with you that the problem maybe still lurking. If the O2 sensor had issues I'm not sure it would cause the PCM to fail but could cause it to do other bad things. The Cxxxx code doesn't come up on any searches. Good luck!

The dealer claims the PCM's intermittent short damaged the O2 sensor. Once it rains here I will see if the issue comes back. (Taking it to a car-wash never caused the problems to occur)