Replacing cat- tired of P0420 CEL code
Thread Starter
Make it so
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 482
Likes: 59
From: Austin, Texas
Replacing cat- tired of P0420 CEL code
If you want some past context, feel free to read this thread (https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/replacing-rear-cat-808637/) which is related.
In a nutshell, every winter I get P0420 codes thrown from my ECU, which lets me know that my cat has basically given up the ghost. But when I was playing with my OBD2 adapter/Torque yesterday, my car gave me the following:
P0420- Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
P2195- Powertrain (O2 sensor signal stuck lean bank 1, Sensor 1)
I never bothered to replace the cat originally because the light just disappeared after a while (plus, when I got my car inspected in October/November, it passed everything just fine), but now I just want to kill this cat problem and never look back. And I suspect these two codes are related (perhaps replacing this cat will also clear the P2195 code?). Either way, the cat has to go and I don't want to throw money out for an O2 sensor if the cat issue clears it up.
I could buy a new OEM cat, but that's crazy expensive. I could find one used somewhere, but I'm still having to deal with the labor cost of replacing it.
The reason I wouldn't do it myself is because I live in northern Utah, where we're still getting highs in the low 20s, with four inches of snow on the ground, and I have no garage. It snows well into May, so I wouldn't dare to do this myself since I'll turn into an icicle, and because I have basically zero expertise when it comes to working on the emissions system.
By all means, I don't mind other alternatives (I've read up on some here on the forums) but I don't know enough about the emissions system to really make an educated decision I feel confident in.
Muchas gracias, amigos!
In a nutshell, every winter I get P0420 codes thrown from my ECU, which lets me know that my cat has basically given up the ghost. But when I was playing with my OBD2 adapter/Torque yesterday, my car gave me the following:
P0420- Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
P2195- Powertrain (O2 sensor signal stuck lean bank 1, Sensor 1)
I never bothered to replace the cat originally because the light just disappeared after a while (plus, when I got my car inspected in October/November, it passed everything just fine), but now I just want to kill this cat problem and never look back. And I suspect these two codes are related (perhaps replacing this cat will also clear the P2195 code?). Either way, the cat has to go and I don't want to throw money out for an O2 sensor if the cat issue clears it up.
I could buy a new OEM cat, but that's crazy expensive. I could find one used somewhere, but I'm still having to deal with the labor cost of replacing it.
The reason I wouldn't do it myself is because I live in northern Utah, where we're still getting highs in the low 20s, with four inches of snow on the ground, and I have no garage. It snows well into May, so I wouldn't dare to do this myself since I'll turn into an icicle, and because I have basically zero expertise when it comes to working on the emissions system.
By all means, I don't mind other alternatives (I've read up on some here on the forums) but I don't know enough about the emissions system to really make an educated decision I feel confident in.
Muchas gracias, amigos!
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 73
Likes: 10
The other way around. If the car is seeing the o2 stuck lean it probably needs an o2 sensor. And sensor one is the one before the precat anyway. Replace the bank 1 oxygen sensor (yourself! It's easy!) then clear the codes and see what comes up. I wouldn't run to replace the cat right away.
Thread Starter
Make it so
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 482
Likes: 59
From: Austin, Texas
The other way around. If the car is seeing the o2 stuck lean it probably needs an o2 sensor. And sensor one is the one before the precat anyway. Replace the bank 1 oxygen sensor (yourself! It's easy!) then clear the codes and see what comes up. I wouldn't run to replace the cat right away.
Time to check up on the O2 sensor replacement DIY
By all means, keep the opinions coming! Thanks guys!
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