GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Before I go into my P0031 code I'd like to briefly introduce myself and thank the members of this forum for the great info found here. My name is Shawn and I own two base Vibes, an 05 and an 03.

After getting a new PCM which was covered by a recall my 05 Vibes remaining trouble codes pointed me to the "O2 sensors" (AFR sensors). This site had a great how-to thread with pictures so I proceeded to replace the sensors without difficulty. However I was still left with a P0031 code after installing two new sensors.

After literally going over every inch of wiring and fuse on the car I went back to my PC, specifically this site, only to see a few old comments about how Toyotas are fickle with these parts and seldom work unless the OE is used. Unfortunately I used inexpensive Bosch o2 sensors which were listed for my car. As a side note Bosch should be ashamed to make that claim since they did 'fit' but didn't work.

To wrap this up I shelled out an absurd $160 for an upstream Denso direct fit sensor and the P0031 code was gone. Car passed inspection the next day. So a P0031 code = buy the expensive Denso sensor.

Some aftermarket parts work, many don't. When I worked at a local shop, I replaced an alternator on a Mazda twice with remanufactured ones (the reman from Mazda was $3-400) from whatever Napa or O'reilly brand, and both failed within a week. The third time, my boss said enough is enough and got the Mazda reman, which was actually done via Mitsubishi electric. The first thing I noticed when I pulled it out of the box was that it was beautiful and looked brand new. The others had just looked repainted.

That was about 6 months ago, and that guy hasn't been back. (Thankfully; pulling an alternator from under a car is a pain when you have short arms).

As for aftermarket, I try to hunt for complaints about the brand I'm looking at. I looked at Tokico, MOOG, and DC Sports before I got their products.

You can buy DENSO direct fit much cheaper online. They run about $80 shipped. Now the 1zz FWD Upstream sensors between the DBC and DBW cars are different. The DBC is an O2 and the DBW is an AFR