P0420 bank 1 code popped up while driving. Im thinking this is just an oxygen sensor? Is it ok to drive with this code for a while if i buy an o2 sensor online?
View 5 RepliesI have a 2006 Subaru Forester with 95,000 miles on it. Earlier today the CEL (solid) and cruise (flashing) came on while I was driving. I believe it may have occurred as I was accelerating up hill. I filled up yesterday, so I tightened the gas cap when I stopped. On my way home, I stopped by my mechanic and they read the code; P0420 Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold Bank was the code that was read. They reset the code for me but told me that the catalytic converter is what needs to be replaced.
My question: Could the light coming on be incidental (i.e., is it possible that it was a "blip" and my catalytic converter is okay?)? My mechanic said he thinks it is, and that my car should last me quite a bit longer. I am asking because I've put in a bit of money into the car of late and I'm wondering if I should just jump ship. I should say that the majority of the repairs are maintenance (e.g., brakes, tires).
Recently I pulled code P0420, AKA Bank 1: Efficiency Below Threshold.
To start from the beginning...several weeks ago my EPC light came on so, like most educated consumers I decided to buy a vag-com. I pulled the codes and got both the Bank 1 and Bank 2 efficiency below threshold codes (p0420, p0430). I reset the light and literally within 3 minutes the EPC light came back on only this time just Bank 1.
So I drove around again for a week and the check engine light came on this time, back to Bank 1 and Bank 2. Whether trying to replace the spark plugs will possibly fix the misfires, its Cat Converter replacement or possibly just replacement of 02 sensors. I have been reading mixed responses.
FYI I use synthetic oil and chance the oil every 7500-9000 miles, have 89,000 miles and have never changed my spark plugs.
P0420 Catalyst System below efficiency -- bank 1
I've had this code for a couple months trying to trouble shoot it. My gas mileage has been affected, as I'm getting about 23/24 MPG city/highway. I replaced the upstream 02 sensor with am aftermarket Bosch variety( I'm not sure why a non-OEM one would make a difference, as long it's working correctly).
My car has 253k miles, the cat doesn't rattle and I don't smell any rotten eggs or anything, but it has to be clogged or the 02 sensor I got was defective. My engine runs fine and I don't have any problems accelerating or decelerating. It may still be the 02 sensor since the gas mileage decrease is so significant, or it could be my converter is really clogged up.
I have been getting a CEL P0420 for low cat efficiency bank 1 on my 2002 Ford Escape V6. The truck runs fine otherwise. I have ran two loads of Cataclean and the light keeps coming back a few days after CEL reset so I am pretty sure one of cats is done. I am going to replace with an aftermarket cat. My question is, with this code, do I need to replace the front exhaust manifold cat or the rear manifold cat?
View 1 RepliesA few days ago code 0496 popped up for evap system problems. The fuel tank is very pressurized and there is a constant bubbling heard in the fuel in the tank with the gas cap removed. Sounds like blowing air through a drink with a straw. I have never had a problem like this with any car in over 45 years.
View 1 Replies2 days ago my 2000 Hyundai accent Gl 1.5 stalled while driving i lost no power to my electrical system all my lights and stereo stayed on but i lost all engine power the check engine light popped on and i had to have a friend tow me home this has never happened to me before. I had sat in my yard for about a year before i started driving it again due to money problems. I did a tune up on it before I took it out anywhere and ran some lucas injector cleaner and changed oil added some oil additive and changed my air filter spark plugs seemed fine so I didn't replace them and it ran for almost a month just fine i have about 150k in miles on it then suddenly just died while driving home from work I am thinking its in my fuel lines filter or pump are clogged up but I am not sure. I am going to start diagnosing it tomorrow. I can't get the check engine light looked at cuz I can't get it started.
View 2 RepliesI have a 99 Tiburon 2.0 DOHC that I cant seem to get through emissions. The code, p0422 main catalyst efficiency below threshold bank 1 keeps popping up even after replacing the cat converter (twice) and replacing both 02 sensors. What else could be triggering this code and how to fix it?
View 2 Replies2002 4Runner 4x4, 180K miles. I bought this car about a year ago and don't know anything about its history before that but it seems to be in good shape.
About every month or two I take a trip that includes driving a few miles on a dirt road. It is a graded road in pretty decent shape. What has happened about 6 times during the year is that the CEL comes on while I am driving on the dirt road. The car continues to run well. When I get home and hook up my code reader the code is always P0420 Catalyst efficiency below threshold.
To save everyone the trouble of looking that up, this code indicates that either the upstream or downstream A/F Ratio sensor is bad. If both sensors test good then it is probably a bad cat.
What is different here is that after I clear the code, the CEL stays off as long as I stay on paved roads. So to summarize, I don't get the code every time I drive on a dirt road but every time the CEL has come on it is while I was on a dirt road.
So it seems that something about driving on a dirt road causes the CEL. Two obvious things you get on a dirt road are dust and vibration. What could be causing this? I did a visual inspection of the whole exhaust but did not see anything obvious such as cracks or leaks.
And of course I could live with this if I have to since it comes up under such limited circumstances. I just like to keep my cars running properly.
2004 F150 5.4L V8 ...
P0420 Catalyst below threshold bank ...
O2 Sensors or Catalytic Converter ...
I have a 2001 Prius with 210,000 miles. The inverter and traction battery were replaced last year. I started getting triangle and check engine lights about a month ago and the scan tool read p3191 p3006 p0300. The car would barely start in the mornings and the dash lights would be dim. I replaced the 12v aux battery today and all the symptoms went away. Driving home the triangle/check engine light popped on again and I stopped at Orielly's to use their scan tool. It now only reads P3006. I called a local mechanic who suggested to drive it a bit and clear the codes because the battery needed to equalize. Is this true?
View 8 RepliesSymptoms:
-Car "Surges" at any speed. Loss of power is significant.
-Check engine light is on , DTC code = P0420
Tried:
-Fuel injector cleaner
-Spark plugs replaced around 40k miles ago
-Checked for leaking valve cover gasket (oil in plug wells) None
Can a clogged fuel filter cause this? At idle the car is fine, the symptoms seem to only occur when car is under load (In drive). My son drove this car an it always seemed empty meaning he never put much gas in it.
Got Engine Code P0022. Listed several things, Cam Position Indicator (replaced it) and CVVT Oil Control Valve Bank 2. Dealer calls them "front" and "rear". Is Bank 2 the rear (Black or gray also).
View 1 RepliesSo today my CEL came on. I immediately looked at my mileage and I was EXACTLY at 500m past my oil change the other day. I checked the dip stick and lo and behold, it was about 3/4" past the full marker. I took it back to the oil change place and had them drain it down to a good level.
I had driven from NH to NY this week. I filled up my gas tank on my way home from NY. Gas cap was on nice and tight for sure.
The code is still on (not sure how many miles or drive cycles is required) for something to clear. I figured it was perhaps due to too much oil added. I decided a few hours later to take it to AutoZone and grab the diagnostic code. It's a P0420 code (Cat System efficiency below threshold: Air leak in exhaust before rear HO2S, AF Sensor Error, Fuel System Fault, Faulty Catalytic Converter).
I have a 2006 VW Jetta with 92K miles and just a couple of days ago my check engine late came on and when i took to an auto store to check the code, it came as P0332, Knock sensor 2 in bank 2 is faulty. Three things have happened all around the same time and I am not sure if they are related and are just coincidence.1.Check engine light came on.2. I have noticed after that, my car RPM has dropped, idles at about 600-700RPM and when trying to accelerate, it tops at 3000 RPM and feels like the motor cuts off at that point and I have to step off the gas and the car runs ok again, but cant go over 3000.
Had trouble getting on the interstate due to this and thought the car was going to stall, but it didn't. just had to back off the gas and let it run, It did go up to the speed that I wanted, but seems like it wont go past the 3000 RPM point.3. My fuel gauge, drops to empty when it reaches the half way mark on the meter. It stays at the correct level when I start and keep the car in idle, but when I start moving, it drops to empty. When I fill up the tank, it goes all the way to F, and after the car goes the usually of about 190-210 miles, when It reaches the half full level, the meter drops to zero, so have been using my trip odometer to drive after that.
I have a 2006 Chevy Trailblazer LS/LT 4.2 liter 2wd. I have been trying to get it smoged, but can't clear the code. P0171 - Lean Bank 1.
I've been having a parts throwing contest with it, but it has been winning and my wallet is losing.
I have changed the air filter, cleaned the MAF sensor, changed both O2 sensors, changed the secondary air valve and relay. I've done the carb cleaner spray test around the intake and vacuum lines, with no spikes in RPM.
Most recent try was a couple bottles of Techron concentrate with premium chevron gas.(still waiting to see if the code hits again)
Next steps are checking the intake bolts(to see if they are torqued) and intake gaskets, check for exhaust leaks at the exhaust manifold, and checking the MAP sensor.
Freeze frame data from the most recent hit on the code is below.
***Fuel system 1 - CL***Fuel system 2 - NA***Calc Load(%) - 30.2***ECT(deg c) - 48***STFT B1(%) - 3.9***LTFT B1(%) - 22.7***MAP(kPa) - 33***Eng RPM - 809***Veh speed(km/h) - 0***Spark Adv (deg) - 10.5***IAT(deg c) - 20***MAF (G/s) - 5.82***TPS(%) - 15.3***Air status - NA.
I was just driving and suddenly i had my CEL pop on. I went to pepboys to have them read the code for me and it Came up P 0420. I have been looking up the code and got a few emissions issues but not sure what one to do first. Any link with Main issues for CEL Codes? Or know what it could be?
View 2 RepliesI have a 2007 Prius/70,000 miles and live in NY. The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) came on back in May when I was visiting Texas and I stopped to have the code read and got a P0420 code - possible emission problem. As I was far from home I took a day to think about what I should do and by the next evening the light had shut off. Driving back to NY the following week the light came on again about 150 miles from home. Once again within a few days it had shut off. End of June I had the same thing happen - this time I took it to a Auto Part store and had them read the codes again. The guy there told me the only thing that showed up was some kind of emission error. Again within a few days the light went off. Just yesterday (August now) the light came on again. I've resisted taking it to the dealer because I know they will charge me $100+ just to plug it in and tell me what I partly already know. I've been reading up the P0420 code online however still have a few questions.
A. Is it normal for this code to go on and off repeatedly without me really doing anything?
B. Is there any way to figure out what the specific issue is without taking it to Toyota?
C. If it is the catalytic converter would I be covered under the Federal Emission Warranty? - which from what I've read is 8 years/80,000 miles?
The following is what the initial code printout read:
Troubleshooting P0420
OEM Brand: Domestic
Definition
Catalyst efficiency low-bank 1
Explanation
The oxygen sensors monitor the Catalytic Converters ability to store oxygen.
Probable cause
1. Catalytic converter defective (failure possibly due to # 2, 3, or 4)
2. Engine misfire or running condition
3. large vacuum leak
4. Engine oil leakage into exhaust-valve guide seals, piston rings
While on business travel, my wife's 2003 1.8T Passat wagon had the MIL illuminate. I had her pull the OBD2 code while I was away, and it came up with P0420. I have been reading up on it, but I have found much in the way of troubleshooting this code. I don't want to just start randomly replacing parts until the light goes away. When I get back I am going to look for exhaust leaks, but barring those what else can be looked for.
View 5 RepliesI have the CBFA motor, and i am getting getting the p0420 error code. I have read two related threads here and here about p0420 codes and different downpipes. It seems the AWE and Nuespeed seem to be better for getting around CEL without additional flashes. I currently have purchased and installed one RAI straight O2 spacer (after the cat) and have tried both the medium and smallest insert but after clearing the CEL it has returned both times with the same code. Do i need two O2 spacers, one installed with the smallest insert and another with a different size? Trying to make sense of all the posts.
I am unitronic stage 1, before going stage two i want to have the CEL under control so i can downgrade the flash and not trip CEL for smog.
I have Unitronics Stage 2, and a 3" downpipe... I keep getting a CEL P0420. I know its about the second o2 sensor, but I don't understand why I am getting the CEL with my chip? Could it be possible that when I put the downpipe back in i reversed the 2 sensors? Or are they the same...
View 5 Replies