96 honda accord - P0420 code??

[tjf420]

Well my 96 Accord's check engine light has come on.. I got a diagnostics test done a few min ago and the guy said it came up with P0-420

anyway..Its a catalyst code so It means that my engine isn't getting enough fuel or something like that he said.. So im not sure if its something i should get fixed asap and if its effecting my MPG on my car which would suck becuz We're all paying it up the fuckin ass for gas these days... I was wondering if anyone knows wat I should do.. If it needs to be fixed by a mechanic..or if its something easy i can buy and a do it your selfer.. mind you I know jack shit about cars..

any help would be appreciated


edit: not too sure wat any of this says.. but http://www.aa1car.com/library/p0420_dtc.htm may help?

[DesertFox]

have you gotten new headers installed lately?
id try cleaning the O2 sensor and see if that helps

[jeffcoslacker]

All of that just boils down to:

Using the readings from the o2 sensor ahead of and behind the cat, it thinks there is a problem with the cat's operation. The computer seems satisfied that the problem is not with the fuel system or sensors, or it would code differently.

So it considers the reading from the pre-cat o2 sensor to be normal, meaning the engine is running correctly, but is seeing readings from the post-cat o2 sensor that indicate the cat is not doing it's job with peak efficiency.

The post-cat o2 sensor could set this code if malfunctioning but not real likely. But if you want to investigate, this is the sensor to look at.


Personally I'd take it out on the highway and give it a good blast at high speed for a good distance, then go to Autozone or wherever you had the code read and have them clear the code and see if it comes back...

At any rate, this code should not affect fuel mileage.