Hi everyone, I am a long time Honda, and now Acura fan. I have had 2 preludes, 1 accord with 500000kms on it, an Acura 1.6el, a 1996 Acura 3.5rl (R.I.P.) and now I recently purchased a 2000 TL and so far I have found 2 issues that keep me up at night.

1) Drivers seat does not recline. I pulled it apart in sub zero temps this evening and multimetered the two wires going into the motor for reclining. I got nothing, no voltage at all. Checked the fuse, and its fine. I ran a jumper wire from a 12 volt power source on another of the seats switches to one of the two wires going to the recline motor, and I was able to recline the seat enough to where its comfortable finally. So I would believe that the problem would be the actual switch then right if it works off of a jumper?

2) Error code 420 something or other bank one below threshold. This car came with some weapon R intake on it. Every Acura I've had has had an air intake and also has had a CEL with an error on the o2 sensor. On my 1.6el, I tried a total of 3 different o2 sensors, and still kept getting a CEL. My question is, will the increased air flow from an air intake create an improper exhaust reading from the o2? It seems like more than coincidence that this has happened 3 times on 3 different cars. I have gone ahead and reinstalled the factory airbox to see if the CEL comes back on. Is there a way to run an air intake without having a CEL? PLease advise, and thanks in advance!

 

Welcome to the Forum!

Nope an Air Intake should not trigger an O2 Sensor Reading.
Our cars have specific Air Intakes make to fit like Injen, AEM and Comptech with no Issues, Myself got an AEM V2 CAI with no problems whatsoever...

I had a Problem with my O2 Sensor cable being a little Loose not long Ago giving me a Wrong Signal, Cheap Fix. What is the Specific Code? I could check the Repair Manual.

On your Seat Problem I should try to see first if the Switch isnt Bad, See if it has any Current. If it has check if the switch has power to the other motors; Front/Back, Up/Down. If your only problem is Reclining maybe the switch is KIA.

 

As far as the seat goes, it moves all directions but it won't recline.
The exact error code is, p0420 catalyst system efficiency below threshold bank 1, same code twice.
Something made me wonder why someone would keep he fuse puller in the interior door handle, shoulda trusted my gut on that.

 

Well doing some research I have some bad News...

P0420: "Catalyst System efficiency below Threshold Bank 1"
What it means clearly is that your Catalytic Converter is Toasted and Needs to Be Replaced....

Now you say you Replaced your O2 Sensors but reading some Forums about that Specific Code then Comparing it with the Repair Manual they both state the Same thing:
If you had another Codes WITH P0420 it could mean your O2 Sensors are going Bad but, If your only Getting the P0420 (Which in Your Case is Double) its a 99% Chance the Cat Converter is Bad and Needs to Be Replaced.

This is a Copy of the Repair Manual page about that Code:


In the Red Box states that if you have another set of Codes with the P0420 ex: P0137, P0138, P0141 you need to Check them First, Thats Becouse it could mean that the O2 Sensors are Reading a Bad Signal for being Old making the ECU Believe the Cat is going Bad in the Process. Since you only have the P0420 it pretty much means your O2 Sensors are still Reading Acceptable readings only pointing out the Cat.

A Common Failure for a Cat in our TL is:
1.- Running with Regular Gas 87oct.

Now a OEM Cat is about 500$-800$ bucks sooo Sorry to be You man...


Hope this Info Helps bud!

 

Wow thanks for the extensive answer! Not going to be dropping 5-800 on a cat, I can tell you that much. I would much rather empty the cat out, and somehow fool the o2 sensors into seeing everything as good. We have no emission testing where I am so its time to free up some exhaust flow. Suggestions on fooling the o2? Thanks again Skirmich

 

Well after doing more research, it seems like a sparkplug defouler is the cost effective way to go. If I go ahead and gut the cat in combination with a defouler setup, should I expect any different cel codes to show up? There is a pre-cat and after cat o2 right? And if so will the other non defouled o2 then throw a code?

 

It should work just fine. The ecm wants to see the front o2 cycling rapidly between 100mv. and 900mv., with the rear hovering around 450mv. In some cases people have had to stack 2 non foulers on the rear sensor with a performance cat. You will have to drill the non-fouler out unless you buy it from one of our sponsors, xlr8 or mr. heeltoe, I cant remember which.