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P0420 - is it the cat or O2 sensor gone bad?

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Old 11-06-2002, 04:18 PM
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Default P0420 - is it the cat or O2 sensor gone bad?

Just got this code last night and pulled it today. Cleared it and it came right back on a few minutes later. I'm not really interested in O2 simms because I'm trying to sell the car. But I need to get this straightened out the cheapest way possible.

How can I tell if it's a cat gone bad vs. an O2 sensor gone bad? I always thought the rotten-egg smell was the giveaway for a dead cat, but there is none.

Thanks.

Dan
Old 11-06-2002, 05:06 PM
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Default Re: P0420 - is it the cat or O2 sensor gone bad?

P0420 TWC System Low Efficiency Bank 1

If the 02 was bad it would be tripping DTC errors.
With your CM scanner do the 02 tests and see what it reports. Here is example of good versus flaky, in this case crappy headers causing air being sucked in and effecting O2s

<img src="http://teamzr1.com/pcmecm/02badgood.gif" alt=" - " />
Old 11-11-2002, 08:12 PM
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Default Re: P0420 - is it the cat or O2 sensor gone bad?

Switch the rear 02's if the code moves to the driver side it's the senser, if it stays on the passenger it's the cat.




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