Car P0420 Check Engine

[SuperNaruto]

Got a 99 car, not sure if I should waste money on it or dump it.

Basically this means that the oxygen sensor downstream (after) the catalytic converter on bank 1 is detecting that the converter is not working as efficiently as it should be (according to specs). It is part of the vehicle emissions system.

http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/...-efficiency-below-threshold-bank-1.php

Next step is to measure the voltage at the oxygen sensor on Bank 1 (the rear sensor, or the sensor after the converter). The voltage should be low and steady (~200mV, depends on the vehicle). If the voltage varies (e.g. 100mV to 600mV) then it's time to replace the catalytic converter. In fact, it would be a good idea to test each oxygen O2 sensor while you're at it.

Is this process easily done ? I wanna check myself before going to the shop...

I'm also assuming a 99 car is almost all rusted, getting o2 sensor out (to change) might take a few hours ?

 

[Scarpozzi]

1. Go to Autozone.
2. Ask them to get the codes from your car
3. Buy a O2 sensor
4. Borrow their O2 wrench kit.
5. Remove O2 Sensor
6. Install new O2 Sensor
7. Return O2 wrench kit
8. Drink a beer
9. Sleep with a hot stripper you met the night before
10. Post pics on ATOT
11. Drink a beer
12. ???????
13. Profit

 

[SuperNaruto]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
1. Go to Autozone.
2. Ask them to get the codes from your car

Thats how I got the code.. code p0420.. yeah when it stops raining.. ill go measure and order a o2..

 

[j00fek]

all you need to do is changed the 02 sensor

 

[DougK62]

You're thinking of dumping a vehicle just because it needs an O2 sensor? lol

 

[slag]

I've seen it a few times where its not the 02 sensor thats a problem. Changing it might make the code go away for awhile, but it comes back sooner than later. On some vehicles, the code is thrown when a lean condition is detected which comes from the intake manifold having an air leak.

I wish I could be more specific but I've only seen it on 2 vehicles. One was a Ford Explorer and the other was a pontiac grand prix.

Try to research it on a car specific online forum.

 

[SuperNaruto]

Originally posted by: DougK62
You're thinking of dumping a vehicle just because it needs an O2 sensor? lol

car is old.. 120k, 99.. plus some guy hit and run it.. i already got new car, i dont drive anymore (subway to work now), i also need a minivan for the family.. so why not just trade it if it needs more than a o2.. like a new cat converter.. if its the o2.. i might still keep it around..

past 2 year, drove 5k on it..

 

[SuperNaruto]

Originally posted by: slag
I've seen it a few times where its not the 02 sensor thats a problem. Changing it might make the code go away for awhile, but it comes back sooner than later. On some vehicles, the code is thrown when a lean condition is detected which comes from the intake manifold having an air leak.

I wish I could be more specific but I've only seen it on 2 vehicles. One was a Ford Explorer and the other was a pontiac grand prix.

Try to research it on a car specific online forum.

So far on the car specific forum, many have spent 1k replacing the cat convert only for the code to come back and many have found it was, like you said, other problems..

 

[DougK62]

What is the make/model of vehicle that we're talking about?

I must be a cheap guy, because to me a 1999 car with 120k on it is just getting warmed up.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: SuperNaruto
Got a 99 car, not sure if I should waste money on it or dump it.

Basically this means that the oxygen sensor downstream (after) the catalytic converter on bank 1 is detecting that the converter is not working as efficiently as it should be (according to specs). It is part of the vehicle emissions system.

http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/...-efficiency-below-threshold-bank-1.php

Next step is to measure the voltage at the oxygen sensor on Bank 1 (the rear sensor, or the sensor after the converter). The voltage should be low and steady (~200mV, depends on the vehicle). If the voltage varies (e.g. 100mV to 600mV) then it's time to replace the catalytic converter. In fact, it would be a good idea to test each oxygen O2 sensor while you're at it.

Is this process easily done ? I wanna check myself before going to the shop...

I'm also assuming a 99 car is almost all rusted, getting o2 sensor out (to change) might take a few hours ?

Nah, I was able to replace all four O2 sensors on an old hoopty I had a few years ago without much difficutly. I ordered them online from a dealership in Ohio, cost me $150 for all four sensors and it only took me about an hour to replace them all.

What kind of car are we talking about here?

 

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
1. Go to Autozone.
2. Ask them to get the codes from your car
3. Buy a O2 sensor
4. Borrow their O2 wrench kit.
5. Remove O2 Sensor
6. Install new O2 Sensor
7. Return O2 wrench kit
8. Drink a beer
9. Sleep with a hot stripper you met the night before
10. Post pics on ATOT
11. Drink a beer
12. ???????
13. Profit

I would suggest step 9... what else matters in the grand scheme of things??

 

[SuperNaruto]

its a 99 accord v6.. blue book value is prob under 2k, plus recently the driver side doors had been hit on the streets... bastards...

o2 for the car is around 80 bucks.. i have it coming now.. ill just wait till it gets here..

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: SuperNaruto
its a 99 accord v6.. blue book value is prob under 2k, plus recently the driver side doors had been hit on the streets... bastards...

o2 for the car is around 80 bucks.. i have it coming now.. ill just wait till it gets here..

You should be able to find an aftermarket cat for that car fairly easily if you need to.

 

[MattCo]

My 99 Chevy had the same code, replaced the O2 sensor with no luck. had to replace the bank 1 (of 2) catalytic converter on it. $250 bucks.