GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Hi everyone! This is the first Toyota/Pontiac vehicle that I have purchased. I still own two other Hondas but based on the quality and specs of this incredible wagon, I wanted to give it a try! I currently own a 2003 Vibe base model, AWD, automatic. After driving the car for a day or two, I am getting codes P0301, and P0420. I have a trouble code scanner and erased the two codes. I started the car again and I immediately got code P0301P. This I understand that is a pending P0301 code: "Cylinder 1 One Misfire Detected". I changed the spark plugs but I am still getting the same error code. I know guys that this should be an easy one for you Vibe gurus! LOL... Please help out a New Vibe owner! Thanks!

Solution: I started switching parts (coils, spark plugs, fuel injectors) around to different cylinders. Nothing happened when switching other parts except fuel injectors. When I moved the injector 1 to cylinder 4, the trouble code went to cylinder 4. I replaced the bad injector and so far no problem. No codes. As far as the P0420, I will drive the Vibe for some time and to see if this code was related to the bad injector. The vibe drives very well now. No shacking! I hope this thread could help somebody else!

P0301 could be a bad #1 coil about $70 (there are other causes but this would be the first thing to try). The P0420 is more than likely a bad CAT and very rarely a bad post 2nd O2 sensor. You can install a defouler on the 2nd O2 sensor but that only masks the issue.

Salsa Guy wrote:P0301 could be a bad #1 coil about $70 (there are other causes but this would be the first thing to try). The P0420 is more than likely a bad CAT and very rarely a bad post 2nd O2 sensor. You can install a defouler on the 2nd O2 sensor but that only masks the issue.

Thank you for replying Salsa Guy! Yes, actually if you are standing in front of the engine, the first coil from left to right seems to have been changed. I am not sure if that is coil #1 though. However, I am sure it looks newer than the other three.

The catalystic convertor I will need to replace or try to use a CAT cleaner:

Scotty Kilmer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5icTmYItwiE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Get the misfire fixed and see if that also fixes the cat code. Swap the coils around and see if you still get a misfire on the same cylinder or if it moves with the coil.

Canker wrote:Get the misfire fixed and see if that also fixes the cat code. Swap the coils around and see if you still get a misfire on the same cylinder or if it moves with the coil.

Thank you for replying Canker. You are right about fixing the P0420 code first. Yes, I was just reading a great link about cylinder misfiring. They suggest exactly what you just suggested me Very nice!

Link: http://extreme-check-engine-light-codes ... ring-code/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Has anybody experienced this same issue? Is this a commun one on the Vibe?

Update: I took the fuel injectors out. I moved them around and now I stop getting code P0301. I am now getting P0304. This means that the problem now moved to the cylinder 4. Based on this, I will try to get a new new fuel injector.

that depends. did the #1 injector get swapped to #4?

bluneon wrote:that depends. did the #1 injector get swapped to #4?

I guess, I am really not sure because I mixed them all up. But the code is not longer showing on cylinder 1 but in the 4th.

Solution: I started switching parts (coils, spark plugs, fuel injectors) around to different cylinders. Nothing happened when switching other parts except fuel injectors. When I moved the injector 1 to cylinder 4, the trouble code went to cylinder 4. I replaced the bad injector and so far no problem. No codes. As far as the P0420, I will drive the Vibe for some time and to see if this code was related to the bad injector. The vibe drives very well now. No shacking! I hope this thread could help somebody else!