I have done a good bit of research about this code and the possible issues causing it and possible fixes. It appears that many people throw this code and generally don't know the solution because there are a few different things that could trigger it such as O2 sensors, catalytic converter, coolant temp sensor, etc. Many of these things aren't cheap and could rack up a hefty bill even if you do the work yourself.
For a quick reference please see the provided link: http://www.obd-codes.com/p0420
I just replaced the post-cat O2 sensor because I read about that one being the culprit the most on these forums and other forums. I had the code cleared and then ran the car for a bit and the light came on. Something is still triggering the code, and before I go and spend more money on parts I wanted to see what is really going on and get some tips from those who may know.
I used a friends OBDII scanner to read the live data coming from the car and this is what I got as far as oxygen sensor performance.
Oxygen Sensor / Bank 1 / Sensor 1 = 0.15 - 0.95 V fluctuating
Oxygen Sensor / Bank 1 / Sensor 2 = 0.92 - 0.98 V fluctuating
*****This data shouldn't trigger the P0420 code, but I wanted to include it for comparison.*****
Oxygen Sensor / Bank 2 / Sensor 1 = 0.13 - 0.96 V fluctuating
Oxygen Sensor / Bank 2 / Sensor 2 = 0.94 - 0.96 V fluctuating
What I interpret from this is that all of the oxygen sensors are functioning properly since the front 2 are fluctuating at a high range and the rear 2 are fluctuating at a very small range.
From some other research (not sure how accurate) I have found that voltages less than 0.3V indicate running "Lean" and voltages greater than 0.8V indicate running "Rich". It appears that my vehicle is throwing a code because the rear 2 oxygen sensors appear as "Rich" which means the catalytic converter is not functioning properly.
However, if this were true, why would my car not throw a P0430 code as well for the Bank 2?
Thanks for any input on the matter.
For a quick reference please see the provided link: http://www.obd-codes.com/p0420
I just replaced the post-cat O2 sensor because I read about that one being the culprit the most on these forums and other forums. I had the code cleared and then ran the car for a bit and the light came on. Something is still triggering the code, and before I go and spend more money on parts I wanted to see what is really going on and get some tips from those who may know.
I used a friends OBDII scanner to read the live data coming from the car and this is what I got as far as oxygen sensor performance.
Oxygen Sensor / Bank 1 / Sensor 1 = 0.15 - 0.95 V fluctuating
Oxygen Sensor / Bank 1 / Sensor 2 = 0.92 - 0.98 V fluctuating
*****This data shouldn't trigger the P0420 code, but I wanted to include it for comparison.*****
Oxygen Sensor / Bank 2 / Sensor 1 = 0.13 - 0.96 V fluctuating
Oxygen Sensor / Bank 2 / Sensor 2 = 0.94 - 0.96 V fluctuating
What I interpret from this is that all of the oxygen sensors are functioning properly since the front 2 are fluctuating at a high range and the rear 2 are fluctuating at a very small range.
From some other research (not sure how accurate) I have found that voltages less than 0.3V indicate running "Lean" and voltages greater than 0.8V indicate running "Rich". It appears that my vehicle is throwing a code because the rear 2 oxygen sensors appear as "Rich" which means the catalytic converter is not functioning properly.
However, if this were true, why would my car not throw a P0430 code as well for the Bank 2?
Thanks for any input on the matter.
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