Check Enine Light

[d1nonlyjv43]

Hey yall whats good? I'm driving a 1997 Eclipse Rs and the check Engine light came on the other day so I stop driving it. I think the code that advanc pulled was a p0420-Something about Catylist Effiency or somthing. Can anyone help me and tell me what should i do to get the check engine light off n clear dat code and what it stand for? thanks

[l_eclipse_l]

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5468

[d1nonlyjv43]

i dont think it has a aftermarket downpip or hi flo catyic converter on it just brought car n like i said timing belt went n wterpump locked up n bent when tiiming belt broke and ti bent the third valve so we had to replace that n check engine light came on the other day about this code n i dont have a clue what it is so i fraquently fed up witht the car about to get rid of it mayb for 5k hopefully but if i can fix problem not needing a lot of money ill stick with it im just tired of messin with it help me out plz what can i do

[Thor06]

You need to learn the fuck how to type. That is easily one of if not the biggest fuck-ups of the English language I have ever seen. I have no clue what it was that you were trying to get across, but you need to spend the extra minute and a half to put the right amount of the right letters in the right order, a period every now and then, and hit the shift key where appropriate.

Ignoring your last post, what exactly is your question? A bit of simple name analysis can figure out your problem. Your catalytic converter is clogged/not working properly and you need a new one. Didnt you ask the guys at Advance Auto?

[gthompson97]

You own a DSM, expect to have problems and take time to fix them.

How many miles does your car have on it? Either your o2 sensor is bad or your cat is plugged.

[d1nonlyjv43]

Sorry about the last post. I was just in a rush and i didnt feel like stoping to put periods in where needed.Anyways, the car has 98k miles on it.The people at advance said it was a oxygen sensor problem, but we replaced the oxygen senor. We didnt replace both of them, but we did replace the first one near the header.That didn't solve the problem, what else could cause this?

[Thor06]

It would be either the downstream o2 sensor or a clogged cat.

[gthompson97]

Did you actually get the codes read? Go to Vatozone and have them read the codes for you and write them down. Then bring them back to us so we know exactly what's going on.

[d1nonlyjv43]

This is the code that came up(code P0420 - Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold) I think im going to replace the catalyic converter and see what happens.Anyways if you have anymore information regarding this please help. Thanks.....

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by d1nonlyjv43

This is the code that came up(code P0420 - Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold) I think im going to replace the catalyic converter and see what happens.Anyways if you have anymore information regarding this please help. Thanks.....

Tune up and engine running is one of the main causes of a code 420.

Here is a little info on a code 420 repair.
Good Luck MT

DTC P0420, P0421, P0430 & P0431: Check Possible Cause Of Misfire DTC P0420 and P0421 indicates bank one catalyst system efficiency is minimum requirement. DTC P0430 and P0430 indicates bank 2 catalyst system efficiency is minimum requirement. Possible causes are as follows: Use of leaded fuel. Oil contamination. Cylinder misfire. Fuel pressure too high. HO2S sensor improperly connected. Damaged exhaust system component. Faulty ECT sensor. Faulty HO2S. Ensure ignition timing is correct. Retrieve all Continuous Memory DTCs. If misfire code(s) is not present, go to next step. If misfire code(s) is present, isolate cylinder and repair as necessary. Check HO2S Monitor DTCs If DTCs P0136, P0138, P0140, P0141, P0156, P0158, P0160, or P0161 were present in step 1), service as necessary before continuing. If none of these codes are present in step 1), go to next step. Check ECT Sensor DTCs If DTCs P0117, P0118, P0125 or P1117 were present in step 1), service as necessary before continuing. If none of these codes are present in step 1), go to next step. If any codes except P0420, P0421, P0430 and/or P0430 were present in step 1), service as necessary before continuing. If no codes except P0420 and/or P0430 were present in step 1), go to next step. Check Rear HO2S Wiring Harness Turn ignition off. Ensure HO2S wiring harness is correctly routed and connectors are tight. Repair or replace as necessary. If wiring harness and connectors are okay, go to next step. Check Fuel Pressure Turn ignition off. Release fuel pressure. Install fuel pressure gauge. Start engine and allow to idle. Note fuel pressure gauge reading. Increase engine speed to 2500 RPM and maintain for one minute. For fuel pressure specifications, see FUEL PRESSURE SPECIFICATIONS article. If fuel pressure is as specified, go to next step. If fuel pressure is not as specified, go to CIRCUIT TEST HC . Check For Exhaust System Leaks If exhaust system leaks, it may cause catalyst monitor efficiency test to fail. Inspect exhaust system for cracks, loose connections or punctures. Repair or replace as necessary. If exhaust system is okay, go to next step. Check For Exhaust System Restrictions Inspect exhaust system for collapsed areas, dents or excessive bending. Repair or replace as necessary. If exhaust system is okay, go to next step. Ć Check Manifold Vacuum Install tachometer. Connect vacuum gauge to intake manifold vacuum source. Start engine and raise engine speed to 2000 RPM. Manifold vacuum should rise to more than 16 in. Hg. If manifold vacuum is okay, go to next step. If manifold vacuum is low, go to step 11). Leave tachometer and vacuum gauge connected. Start engine and raise engine speed to 2000 RPM. On a non- restricted system, manifold vacuum should quickly rise to normal range as increased RPM is maintained. On a restricted system, manifold vacuum will slowly rise to normal range as increased RPM is maintained. If manifold vacuum is okay, no indication of exhaust leak or restriction has been detected and testing is complete. If manifold vacuum is low or slow to respond, go to next step. Leave tachometer and vacuum gauge connected. Remove exhaust pipe from exhaust manifold. Start engineand raise engine speed to 2000 RPM. If manifold vacuum is now okay, fault is downstream from exhaust manifold. Reconnect exhaust pipe to exhaust manifold and go to next step. If manifold vacuum is still low or slow to respond, fault is in exhaust manifold or intake manifold gasket. Repair or replace as necessary and repeat QUICK TEST. Leave tachometer and vacuum gauge connected. Disconnect muffler/tailpipe assembly from rear of catalytic converter. Start engine and raise engine speed to 2000 RPM. If manifold vacuum is now okay, fault is in muffler/tailpipe assembly. Repair or replace as necessary and test drive vehicle to verify elimination of symptom. If manifold vacuum is still not okay, fault is in catalytic converter. Repair or replace as necessary. Check tailpipe/muffler assembly for debris from catalytic converter. Test drive vehicle to verify elimination of symptom.