General Maintenance & Repairs Leaks | Squeaks | Clunks | Rattles | Grinds
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

PO 420 help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 24, 2010 | 11:08 PM
  #1  
beyonddisturbed's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 832
Likes: 1
From: Midwest
Default PO 420 help

I drive a 2002 t/a m6 and she has right under 45k. I was driving home from work and suddenly I noticed the t/a didnt have any get up anymore. It is especially noticeable in 1st gear. There is almost a slight grinding sound and 1st gear at 4k im only going 30mph. I did a PCM read and got the code PO420 which I read can be multiple things. The air filter looked good so it cant be that. What else should I check out? I personally think that its the cats just based on the performance/sound of the car. If someone with some more knowledge could help me out here it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2010 | 05:15 PM
  #2  
joshp14's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 0
From: WDM, Iowa
Default

Best thing to do it check exhaust back pressure. If you dont have that tool, then I suggest taking it to a GM dealer. There is special policy coverage on converters for these cars up to 10 years or 120,000 miles after it was placed in service. Hell it still may be within the 8yr/80k emissions warranty. Either way, it will be 100% free to you IF the converter is diagnosed as the actual problem. 99% of P0420 codes is a failed LH converter. If you take it to the dealer, have them refer to special policy #05513. This is all assuming your converters are OEM.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2010 | 06:52 PM
  #3  
ArkBird96's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Ricerville
Default

^

Probably the cat. My car has been throwing that same code for a while. I replaced the rear driver-side O2 sensor (PITA) hoping that would fix it. No luck . I guess I need to take a trip to Summit and get a Magnaflow bolt-in and replace it.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2010 | 11:34 PM
  #4  
beyonddisturbed's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 832
Likes: 1
From: Midwest
Default

Originally Posted by joshp14
Best thing to do it check exhaust back pressure. If you dont have that tool, then I suggest taking it to a GM dealer. There is special policy coverage on converters for these cars up to 10 years or 120,000 miles after it was placed in service. Hell it still may be within the 8yr/80k emissions warranty. Either way, it will be 100% free to you IF the converter is diagnosed as the actual problem. 99% of P0420 codes is a failed LH converter. If you take it to the dealer, have them refer to special policy #05513. This is all assuming your converters are OEM.
Thanks. I'll take it in this weekend and see what I can get done. Hopefully its covered. Do you know what else it could be if not the converter?

Originally Posted by ArkBird96
^

Probably the cat. My car has been throwing that same code for a while. I replaced the rear driver-side O2 sensor (PITA) hoping that would fix it. No luck . I guess I need to take a trip to Summit and get a Magnaflow bolt-in and replace it.
This is the one I was looking at getting. Got good reviews on adding overall power and even some mpg. May end up getting one anyway.
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2010 | 11:00 AM
  #5  
beyonddisturbed's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 832
Likes: 1
From: Midwest
Default

Well I just made an appointment today. I don't think the guy even knew about the special policy. Initially he insisted on it having to be less than 8 years old. Thanks much joshp14. You hopefully saved me that cash for other mods!

Last edited by beyonddisturbed; Feb 26, 2010 at 04:30 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2010 | 12:05 PM
  #6  
ArkBird96's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Ricerville
Default

That's what I should do as well, but I just don't have time right now with school. I commute to and from college, so I need that car. That's why I am planning to do it myself so I don't have to leave it for 2 or 3 days at a dealer.
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2010 | 04:32 PM
  #7  
beyonddisturbed's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 832
Likes: 1
From: Midwest
Default

Originally Posted by ArkBird96
That's what I should do as well, but I just don't have time right now with school. I commute to and from college, so I need that car. That's why I am planning to do it myself so I don't have to leave it for 2 or 3 days at a dealer.
Yes I commute to and from college as well. Fortunately I do have a vehicle I have been driving during bad weather this winter. You really think it will take them that long? I had a little more faith in GM Goodwrench. O well I guess we shall see.
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2010 | 09:24 PM
  #8  
joshp14's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 0
From: WDM, Iowa
Default

I doubt they will have the converter in stock so they will diagnose it the first day, order the parts, then install the next day.

It could be a faulty o2 sensor but like I said 99% of vehicles with P0420 have been converters...and thats a lot of vehicles. Plus, GM knows there is a problem and issued a special policy on them....its the converter.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:13 PM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-04 18:13:20


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE