so my check engine light came on a couple of days ago, and I just got the codes read today:

P0132 O2 Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank 1 Sensor 1)
P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)

My question is what does that stuff mean and how can it be fixed?

The only thing that they told me was that my car wouldn't pass the inspection when it comes time...

 

change your o2 sensor and that might fix your cat problem

 

misfire will also lead to o2 and catalyst problem. Make sure all your plugs and coilpacks are good.

Does Bank1 means the top sensor or bottom sensor?

 

If he had a misfire the codes p0301-p0306 would get set. Doubt that he's got a misfire.

 

more times than not we have seen the 02 sensor throw the cat code. Its cheaper to try so i may be inclined to change the o2 sensor first. If that doesnt help then you will probably need a new cat.

 

So I'm gonna be replacing my exhaust pretty soon and wanna get this problem taken care of...

I did some research on o2 sensors, and decided to go with Bosch, here's what I found:

13256 Oxygen Sensor - OE Type Before Catalyst Check / Replace Interval: 100,000 Miles

13656 Oxygen Sensor - OE Type After Catalyst Check / Replace Interval: 100,000 Miles

do I need both of those o2 sensors? I didn't know our cars had 2 of them...

Anyways, can anyone please tell me if I need both of these or just one and which one?

 

1 before the cat and 1 after-
thats how the car can determine the exact fuel mixture needed to run so lean

 

Alright, thanks for that info

and im guessing that the part #'s I have above are correct then...?

just hope that they're not that expensive...

 

I have change 2 O2 sensor (front & rear) it all set for last 500 miles, before that I erase the code and the light came back within 1 or 2 days. I got my Denso O2 from amazon for both $115 shipped and part#Denso 234-4096 Oxygen Sensor(front) & Denso 234-4621 Oxygen Sensor(rear) or you can buy & get info direct from Denso.com price are the same.
reason for going with Denso? what I heard is Denso suply O2 sensor oem for our Acura tl, so I did not need any modification and just plug right fit in. Someone had reported issue with Bosch in my thread,but it up to you. Hope it help.

you can refer to my thread as below.
https://acurazine.com/forums/showt...light=catalyst

 

get whatever has plug and play connector- not splice the wires together
bosch is well respected and proven O2sensors
not good spark plugs for us though!

denso may be stock- remembering that OE and best quality are not always closely related~~

 

the bosch 02 sensors i found are plug and play, but come out to be a little over $130 shipped for both...

im just gonna go ahead and take my car to the muffler shop over at a meineke nearby where i live and see what they have to say, because they'll be installing my exhaust too.

 

UPDATE:

went to a local meineke shop and ended up VERY disappointed...

It looks like they have zero experience dealing with aftermarket parts, and they refused to install my new exhaust as well as the new 02 sensors.

Once I told the guy about the check engine light and how i checked it and that its from the 02 sensors, he opened my hood and saw that I have a cai and headers, he looked under the car and said my exhaust has its mid muffler missing, and came to the conclusion that the reason for the codes is that the car thinks its getting one amount of fuel and is actually getting more or something like that cause of the cai, headers, and no mid muffler.

He then said I gotta return everything back to stock, including replacing my high flow cat with a stock one...

I told the guy I've had all these mods on the car for over a year and never had any check engine lights come on, and it just recently come on, i even suggested that the sensors might be worn out or just really old...

He refused to listen and told me to go to another shop that has experience with aftermarket parts

Anyways, I really need your help guys. My inspection expires at the end of this month, so I gotta install my new exhaust and replace the 02 sensors by then to get a new inspection.

Does anybody know any good reputable shops in the area where I could get this work done?

I'm really running out of time here, so please...

 

I think Meineke is feeding you a load of bull. So far I think you are getting great info on these boards so just find a shop to swap these parts out for you. Just understand they cannot gaurantee your check engine light will clear.

Smaller "father and son" shops will swap them out no problems. No need to find someone that specializes in aftermarket parts. We are in a recession, anyone will do it. You can probably find unemployed tech on craigslist to do it also.

First priority is to get the O2 sensors in. The error code:
P0132 O2 Sensor Circuit High Voltage is probably causing P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Thresholds, so focus on P0132. Possibly swapping out that O2 sensor may not fix it because it also can be a short in the O2 wire causing it. Either way have the shop clear your CEL when they are done so after a few drive cycles, cross you fingers, that the light doesn't come back and you can run over to get the emissions tested.

Good luck and keep us posted

 

Actually MANY in the past have had a lot of issues with the Bosch o2 sensors on the TL

 

Change the o2s yourself. All you have to do is unplug them unscrew them and reverse order for install. Its VERY easy.

 

ok kris- you have way more experience with the TL, so if you say denso O2 sensors- thats what it needs

To the OP: What did you expect by going to a national chain franchise-- who have to follow the rules- cant deviate from what the computer says- everything must be stock!!!
They are very basic trained parts system installers- it needs new from here to there
Have no understanding of modified systems and problems

A private owned shop- with Performance in its name is a good start- look in the phone book for one advertising custom exhaust and cats for 99 and 199
Go talk with them in person
They can take care of you and have actual experience on a TL
Go to the local speed -import repair shops and ask if they know a problem with those codes and parts or can give a good muffler shop referral

What does your state require on the exhaust- allowed to change it like you have???

I heard some TL's had issue with needing a spacer?? on the O2 with headers/mid muff delete or something like that

 

I'll definitly take your advise about looking up a shop in the phonebook

As far as the exhaust goes, I have a Tanabe Super Hyper Mediallon Catback, but the problem is when I got my high flow cat installed about a year ago, the guy took a shortcut and instead of welding a flange to the end of the cat, he just welded the end of the cat to the exhaust.

Now what I need is for someone to fix that by cutting it, welding a flange to the end of the cat, and only then installing the new exhaust.

As far as the o2 sensors go, it seems like I'll be able to change them out myself once the car will be lifted, im just still debating on wheather to get the Bosch plug and play ones, or the denso ones....

 

well guys, i already lost count of how many times I've changed these damm sensors...

I'm having a problem with bank 1 sensor 2 now, have CEL P0138

I've just decided to get Denso sensors now, part #'s 234-4727 and 234-4621, getting them for only $132 shipped for both, which is a good deal compared to what autozone is selling them for..

they are both OE fit and hopefully wont cause me any more problems...

 

Honestly i might be inclined to go oem. They seem to be the best.