What to do if your Saturn catalytic converter says P0420?
Replacing the oxygen (O2) sensors may sometimes fix the code, but in most cases the catalytic convert needs to be replaced to fix the problem. If the P0420 code is combined with other codes, try fixing the other codes first. The cost of diagnosing the P0420 SATURN code is 1.0 hour of labor.
What causes a car to have a code P0420?
The code P0420 can be caused by an engine problem that’s pouring too much fuel into the catalytic converter, excess fuel that the PCM can’t control, a vacuum leak that’s causing excess air to enter the catalytic converter, OR, a damaged catalytic converter What goes wrong with a cat converter? Cut-away of a typical catalytic converter
How does the P0420 Buick catalyst system low efficiency Bank 1?
The catalyst within the converter promotes a chemical reaction which oxidizes the HC and CO present in the exhaust gas. This reaction converts them into harmless water vapor and Carbon Dioxide. The catalyst also reduces NOx, converting it to Nitrogen. The Powertrain Control Module ( PCM) monitors this process using Bank 1 HO2S #2.
Where is Bank 1 in the Saturn catalyst system?
The Powertrain Control Module ( PCM) monitors this process using Bank 1 HO2S #2. Bank 1 HO2S #2, located in the exhaust stream past the three-way catalytic converter, produces an output signal which indicates the oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst. This determines the catalysts ability to convert exhaust emissions effectively.
Replacing the oxygen (O2) sensors may sometimes fix the code, but in most cases the catalytic convert needs to be replaced to fix the problem. If the P0420 code is combined with other codes, try fixing the other codes first. The cost of diagnosing the P0420 SATURN code is 1.0 hour of labor.
The code P0420 can be caused by an engine problem that’s pouring too much fuel into the catalytic converter, excess fuel that the PCM can’t control, a vacuum leak that’s causing excess air to enter the catalytic converter, OR, a damaged catalytic converter What goes wrong with a cat converter? Cut-away of a typical catalytic converter
The catalyst within the converter promotes a chemical reaction which oxidizes the HC and CO present in the exhaust gas. This reaction converts them into harmless water vapor and Carbon Dioxide. The catalyst also reduces NOx, converting it to Nitrogen. The Powertrain Control Module ( PCM) monitors this process using Bank 1 HO2S #2.
The Powertrain Control Module ( PCM) monitors this process using Bank 1 HO2S #2. Bank 1 HO2S #2, located in the exhaust stream past the three-way catalytic converter, produces an output signal which indicates the oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst. This determines the catalysts ability to convert exhaust emissions effectively.
What does the p0421 code on a catalyst mean?
Warm Up Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1) What the P0421 code means The P0421 code means that the powertrain control module is noticing that the catalyst system is not performing as it should during warm up conditions. This time period would be from when the vehicle is first started until about five to ten minutes later.
What is the diagnostic code for warm up catalyst efficiency?
Cost of diagnosing the P0421 code. P0421 is a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) for “Warm Up Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)”. This can happen for multiple reasons and a mechanic needs to diagnose the specific cause for this code to be triggered in your situation.
Warm Up Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1) What the P0421 code means The P0421 code means that the powertrain control module is noticing that the catalyst system is not performing as it should during warm up conditions. This time period would be from when the vehicle is first started until about five to ten minutes later.
Cost of diagnosing the P0421 code. P0421 is a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) for “Warm Up Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)”. This can happen for multiple reasons and a mechanic needs to diagnose the specific cause for this code to be triggered in your situation.
Where does the P0420 trouble code come from?
P0420 is triggered in the engine control module when there is a problem with the efficiency of the catalytic converter. The engine control unit uses two O2 sensors, one in the front of and one behind the catalytic converter to measure the efficiency of the catalytic converter.
What causes the O2 sensor to show the code po420?
Rich or lean mixtures can damage the catalytic converter, and when the catalytic converter is damaged/filled with fuel, the efficiency will be low, and the rear O2 sensor will see that and show the trigger the code Po420.
Can a damaged catalytic converter trigger the code po420?
Yes, they can, but not in the way you think. Rich or lean mixtures can damage the catalytic converter, and when the catalytic converter is damaged/filled with fuel, the efficiency will be low, and the rear O2 sensor will see that and show the trigger the code Po420.
Why is my P0420 Saturn Vue not registering?
The downstream oxygen sensor wiring is especially volatile since it is so far from the ECM (more distance to travel. Vue Timing – If your Vue is misfiring or the exhaust timing is off, this can affect the gasses that are actually going to the O2 sensors enough to cause the P0420 code to register.
What causes the OBDII code on a Saturn Vue?
In the Vue, OBDII P0420 is often caused by a bad oxygen sensor, but there can be other causes as well. One of the most common trouble codes with all Saturn vehicles is the P0420. This code number references a number that is given to you when you plug your Saturn Vue into a OBDII scanner.
What does the P0420 code on Honda Civic mean?
As the code description implies the P0420 code means that the vehicle’s control module has detected that the three-way catalytic converter is not working properly (is not as efficient as the factory is expecting).
What does code P0420 mean on PCM?
Code P0420 represents a problem. However, if the downstream O2 sensor starts sweeping between rich and lean, or constantly reads a rich or lean condition, that’s an indication to the PCM that the cat converter isn’t doing its job of cleaning up the PCM’s mistakes.
Where is the P0420 OBD2 trouble code stored?
The front O2 sensor measures the mixture, and it tells the engine control unit if the engine is running with a rich or lean mixture and adjusts it. The rear O2 sensor is just a diagnostic O2 sensor for this trouble code. If the rear O2 sensor is getting faulty values, the p0420 code will get stored in the engine control unit.
As the code description implies the P0420 code means that the vehicle’s control module has detected that the three-way catalytic converter is not working properly (is not as efficient as the factory is expecting).
What does the P0420 code on the O2 sensor mean?
The P0420 code means that rear O2 sensors report to the engine control module that the catalytic converter is not doing it’s job properly. The rear O2 sensor is comparing the signal from the front O2 sensor. How to clear code P0420? To clear the P0420 code you need to use an OBD2 scanner.
Why does my Toyota Corolla have a P0420 trouble code?
The most common cause when you find the P0420 on the Toyota Corolla is a bad catalytic converter. But, this can often be caused by oil going through the piston rings to get stuck on the catalytic converter if you have a Toyota Corolla that is struggling with the trouble code.
What does P0420 mean on a Buick?
If a condition exists which causes the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) to detect excessive Bank 1 HO2S #2 activity outside of an acceptable range for an extended period of time, the PCM will set the P0420 code. This indicates that the three-way catalytic converters oxygen storage capacity is below a threshold considered acceptable.
What is the Check Engine Light code for Saturn?
P1272Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor 2 P1273Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor 1 P1274Injectors Wired Incorrectly P1275Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) Sensor 1 Circuit – Read Our Article on Automotive Circuit TestingFor Help With This Saturn Check Engine Light Code P1276Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) Sensor 1 Performance
Where is the trouble code on a Saturn?
These are listed in numerical order for easy searching. When retrieving Saturn trouble codes with an OBD II scan tool, proceed as follows: 1. Connect scan tool to the 16-pin data link connector (DLC) located underneath the steering column. The connector may have a removable cover. 2. Turn the ignition on. 3.
How to check check engine light on Saturn?
Saturn Check Engine Light Codes 1 Connect scan tool to the 16-pin data link connector (DLC) located underneath the steering column. The connector may have a removable cover. 2 Turn the ignition on. 3 Follow scan tool manufacturer’s operating instructions to access the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC’s).
What to do if the OBD II scanner doesn’t communicate with the vehicle?
What to do if the OBD II scanner doesn’t communicate with the vehicle. TEST 1: Connect the positive DMM lead to DLC pin 4 and the negative DMM lead to the negative battery terminal, using jumper wires if necessary. Do not connect to the body or chassis ground but to the battery terminal directly.