98 cl 2.3 5 sp. 84k ..my cars check engine light came out and it was still working fine, recently i found out the OBD code and it was p0420 "catalyst below threshold." today i was going about 80 miles on the highway and when i drove on the main street off the highway my car began to idle low and it turned off. next it wouldnt turn on and when it did it would turn off unless i would give it gas.. 3 hours later it got back to normal, meaning it doesnt turn off by itself but before this happened it would idle just at one thousand but now it idles between 6000 and 8000. what could it be...what should i do...and would my car run fine if i would unplug the catalytic converter, should i do this...?

 

Sounds like a bad o2 Sensor.

See what the dealer says and have it replaced.







BTW - you can't unplug your catalytic converter.

 

if ur catlatc conver is clogged it will tho the code and kill ur car. u need to replace it asap. if u drive it with the clogged converter it will burn up ur valves and warp ur head.

 

I got the same code when I had my 00 VW Passat. It turned out to be the cat. It was replaced under warranty. But it could also be the 02 sensor. You need to bring it to the dealer right away to prevent further damage.