PO420.....so now what?

[eTiMaGo]

Here's as detailed as you can get:

P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)

Causes:
- Front exhaust pipe (with Three-Way Catalytic Converter)
- Gas leakage from exhaust system
- A/F sensor (sensor 1)
- HO2 sensor (sensor 2)

If it was a timing error or plug not tight, you'd have a different code, that's the whole reason for being of these diagnostic codes, to help you pinpoint the problem, not maybe something else

Thanks for posting the stored freeze frame value, quite interesting! Only thing that I think is out of order: Bank 1 - Sensor 1 O2S Voltage 3.44 V

Looking at the repair manuals the normal range for this sensor should be usually less than 1V? So yes, in this case, it seems to narrow the problem down to the O2 sensor being defective. But don't take my word for it, I am not a qualified mechanic, just a geek who likes to look up and understand technical information

[la_scanner]

Originally Posted by eTiMaGo

Here's as detailed as you can get:

P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)

Causes:
- Front exhaust pipe (with Three-Way Catalytic Converter)
- Gas leakage from exhaust system
- A/F sensor (sensor 1)
- HO2 sensor (sensor 2)

If it was a timing error or plug not tight, you'd have a different code, that's the whole reason for being of these diagnostic codes, to help you pinpoint the problem, not maybe something else

Thanks for posting the stored freeze frame value, quite interesting! Only thing that I think is out of order: Bank 1 - Sensor 1 O2S Voltage 3.44 V

Looking at the repair manuals the normal range for this sensor should be usually less than 1V? So yes, in this case, it seems to narrow the problem down to the O2 sensor being defective. But don't take my word for it, I am not a qualified mechanic, just a geek who likes to look up and understand technical information

I totally respect that about you. thanks for your input. i do have to ask though... does this mean o2 sensor is problem(maybe) in lieu of expensive catalytic converter. too many questions. i know, i know.

keep in mind that i have not read manual on this code reader so i only had about 2 minutes earlier yesterday to plug in and see if anything would happen. im wondering when i try it out today. is there more i can do while using the reader to get more info. or is it really as simple as plug in. wait, unplug and view on pc? im not even sure how i did that freeze frame thing. time to look into that. thanks geek