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P0420 on '98 V6 Contour

8K views 6 replies 0 participants last post by  Father Guido 
G
#1 ·
Hi,

I got an OBDII for Christmas and just got to try it out on my
daughters '98 V6 Contour. The code comes up as P0420, which the book
translates as "Catalyst System Effcieincy Below Threshold (Bank 1)".

I assume something to do with the catalytic converter, but then again
maybe not. Anyone have any experience with this code and what we
should check next.

Thanks in advance,

Norm
 
G
#2 ·
On Wed, 08 Feb 2006 02:40:08 GMT, Father Guido <FG@SNL.com> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I got an OBDII for Christmas and just got to try it out on my
>daughters '98 V6 Contour. The code comes up as P0420, which the book
>translates as "Catalyst System Effcieincy Below Threshold (Bank 1)".
>
>I assume something to do with the catalytic converter, but then again
>maybe not. Anyone have any experience with this code and what we
>should check next.
>
>Thanks in advance,
>
>Norm

Bad cat or bad O2 sensor. Just means the #2 O2 sensort is seeing
substantially the same as #1 O2 sensor.
If it's the cat, it's a pricy proposition. Mine was just an O2 sensor.
 
G
#3 ·
Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)

What does that mean?
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.

Symptoms
You will likely not notice any drivability problems, although there may be
symptoms.

Causes
A code P0420 may mean that one or more of the following has happened:

a.. Leaded fuel was used where unleaded was called for
b.. An oxygen sensor is not reading (functioning) properly
c.. The engine coolant temperature sensor is not working properly
d.. Damaged exhaust manifold / catalytic converter / exhaust pipe
e.. Retarded spark timing
Possible Solutions
The simplest thing to do is to reset the code and see if it comes back.

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.

One thing to note is that many vehicle manufacturers offer a longer warranty
on emissions-related parts. So if you have a newer car but it's out of it's
bumper-to-bumper warranty, there still may be warranty on this type of
problem. Many manufacturers give a five year, unlimited mileage warranty on
these items. It's worth checking into.


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"Father Guido" <FG@SNL.com> wrote in message
news:99miu1hvbdijl339keqnavopr06vuna465@4ax.com...
> Hi,
>
> I got an OBDII for Christmas and just got to try it out on my
> daughters '98 V6 Contour. The code comes up as P0420, which the book
> translates as "Catalyst System Effcieincy Below Threshold (Bank 1)".
>
> I assume something to do with the catalytic converter, but then again
> maybe not. Anyone have any experience with this code and what we
> should check next.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Norm
 
G
#4 ·
Father Guido wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I got an OBDII for Christmas and just got to try it out on my
> daughters '98 V6 Contour. The code comes up as P0420, which the book
> translates as "Catalyst System Effcieincy Below Threshold (Bank 1)".
>
> I assume something to do with the catalytic converter, but then again
> maybe not. Anyone have any experience with this code and what we
> should check next.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Norm


This code will ususally turn out to be a failed catalytic converter. IIRC, there was
an emissions recall to replace the catalysts on many V-6 Contours. Have your local
dealer check OASIS to see if the recall is still in effect and if your car qualifies.
 
G
#5 ·
On Tue, 07 Feb 2006 22:17:56 -0500, clare at snyder.on.ca wrote:

~On Wed, 08 Feb 2006 02:40:08 GMT, Father Guido <FG@SNL.com> wrote:
~
~>Hi,
~>
~>I got an OBDII for Christmas and just got to try it out on my
~>daughters '98 V6 Contour. The code comes up as P0420, which the book
~>translates as "Catalyst System Effcieincy Below Threshold (Bank 1)".
~>
~>I assume something to do with the catalytic converter, but then
again
~>maybe not. Anyone have any experience with this code and what we
~>should check next.
~>
~>Thanks in advance,
~>
~>Norm
~Bad cat or bad O2 sensor. Just means the #2 O2 sensort is seeing
~substantially the same as #1 O2 sensor.
~If it's the cat, it's a pricy proposition. Mine was just an O2
sensor.

Thanks for the info!

Norm
 
G
#6 ·
On Tue, 7 Feb 2006 22:01:09 -0600, "joe" <joepr1@covad.net> wrote:

~Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
~
~What does that mean?
~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.
~
~Symptoms
~You will likely not notice any drivability problems, although there
may be
~symptoms.
~
~Causes
~A code P0420 may mean that one or more of the following has happened:
~
~ a.. Leaded fuel was used where unleaded was called for
~ b.. An oxygen sensor is not reading (functioning) properly
~ c.. The engine coolant temperature sensor is not working properly
~ d.. Damaged exhaust manifold / catalytic converter / exhaust pipe
~ e.. Retarded spark timing
~Possible Solutions
~The simplest thing to do is to reset the code and see if it comes
back.
~
~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.
~
~One thing to note is that many vehicle manufacturers offer a longer
warranty
~on emissions-related parts. So if you have a newer car but it's out
of it's
~bumper-to-bumper warranty, there still may be warranty on this type
of
~problem. Many manufacturers give a five year, unlimited mileage
warranty on
~these items. It's worth checking into.

It's a '98 so I doubt if it would be covered, we've replaced at least
one O2 sensor a couple of times now. Hopefully it's another, and not
the cat convertor.

Thanks for the info and help.

Norm
 
G
#7 ·
On Tue, 07 Feb 2006 23:06:44 -0500, Tom Adkins
<newton5@remove.comcast.net> wrote:

~Father Guido wrote:
~> Hi,
~>
~> I got an OBDII for Christmas and just got to try it out on my
~> daughters '98 V6 Contour. The code comes up as P0420, which the
book
~> translates as "Catalyst System Effcieincy Below Threshold (Bank
1)".
~>
~> I assume something to do with the catalytic converter, but then
again
~> maybe not. Anyone have any experience with this code and what we
~> should check next.
~>
~> Thanks in advance,
~>
~> Norm
~
~ This code will ususally turn out to be a failed catalytic
converter. IIRC, there was
~an emissions recall to replace the catalysts on many V-6 Contours.
Have your local
~dealer check OASIS to see if the recall is still in effect and if
your car qualifies.

Hmmm, thank you for this information, I will follow up on it.

Thanks again.

Norm
 
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