2000 Camry LE Catalytic Convertor

[karangandhi]

I recently got a check engine light and I headed to Precision Tune Auto near San Jose, CA. The mechanic informed me that the catalytic converter needs to be replaced.
Since it is expensive in California he suggested that I drive to Nevada and get it changes there. Does anyone here think this is possible? Would I be able to get the same converter for lesser price?

I would appreciate your comments!
Thanks,

[Brian R.]

It is much more likely that it is your HO2 sensor after the convertor that needs to be replaced. It is also possible that the A/F ratio sensor in front of the convertor is the problem. They are much cheaper than a convertor.

[somick]

Autozone will read your codes for free. And like Brian said this is most likely your O2 sensor.

Good luck,

Sam

[Mike Gerber]

If the code comes back get it read at Autozone or another auto parts store that reads the code for free, and record the code. Then report the code number back here.

Mike

[karangandhi]

Hey All,

Thanks for all you comments. The thing is I am in California and Autozone in California doesn't read the code for free. I called couple of them.

Also, after some detailed diagonistic, my mechanic told me that the O2 sensor is gone (for a while) and has also damaged the CAT (the whole part, attached all the way to the motor)

So he suggests that I get the whole thing changes. He also said that if I get the O2 sensor fixed, then I am not fixing the whole problem and that will eventually cause other things to fail. I don't have the code, but it said that the CAT wasn't getting warm enough.

Thanks,
Karan

[somick]

I also live in California. Autozone reads codes for free in Oceanside where I reside now.

In San Jose, Autozone on San Tomas Aquino and Campbell (across from Shell station) should do it. At least they used to do it when I lived in San Jose.

Stop by at Kragen on Prospect and Saratoga. There used to be nice guys working in that store too.

Your mechanic is probably right. If you drive with bad O2 sensor for couple of years it may ruin your catalytic converter. But for the vehicle of that age it is too early to happen.
Find another mechanic.

I liked the guys at 76 station on Stevens Creek and Stern (near Lawrence). But I cannot recommend them since I had only smog done there, sometime in 2004 or so.

Harbor Freight sells cheap code reader for 39 dollars. Buy one and read your code yourself.

Good luck,

Sam

[karangandhi]

Hello All,

Sam thanks for your list of places where I can to get the code checked for free.

I think at this point I should give a history of the problem. (has been recurring)

Summer 2008: Check engine light. I take it to a mechanic in Atlanta, he says the EGR valve is bad and will have to replace it. I get that done. Car is fine. I drive about 80 miles everyday for work and is fine.

Fall 2008: Check engine light in Flagstaff, AZ was driving across the US in order to move to California for Grad school. I get it checked at the local store and the guy says that he doesn't have much idea about emissions, but the spark plugs look really bad and recommended changing them.

Fall 2008: Check engine light in San Jose, CA. The mechanic tells me that some valve in the front isn't holding pressure and would have to be changed. Get that changed. As soon as I drive off, the light comes again. I take a U-turn and he says its a bad part and changes it. The car is fine then.

Winter 2008: The light comes again, I take it back to him and he says the CAT is gone along with O2 sensors front and back. He did a test where he leans the car one way and figured out that both were bad. I get that changed (really expensive) and car is fine for a week. I get the light again, I take it back and turns out that the CAT converter is bad. So he gets a new one in warranty.

Feb 2009: I got the light again yesterday. I haven't gone back to the mechanic yet. I plan to do it next week. But I just wanted to get everyone's feedback here.

I also wanted to know if:
1. Is it common for two parts to fail right after installation? I mean I know that it is not impossible. But what I am concerned about it a diagnosis which is not done yet for a bad part, which might be killing all this.
2. Also can the ECU be bad? Giving a bad reading?
3. My parents are urging me to just take it to Toyota dealership and ask them to look at it. Would that be way too expensive?

Thank you all for your responses.
Best,
Karan

[jdmccright]

I find it hard to believe that your car is suddenly eating cats like after-dinner mints. I would suspect that the O2 sensors that were installed were not the correct parts (there are universal and direct-fit versions). Next time you have the codes read, ask to see the readout...tell them point-blank "I keep getting different answers at different shops and just need to see for myself".

1. Think about the odds...it is very rare to get two non-electrical defective parts at the same time. I say non-electrical because sometimes one bad electrical part can zap another if they are related. But still rare.

2. I would suspect the wiring to the O2 sensors or their ground leads at this point more than the ECU. Continuous faults with new parts means it ain't the part. You don't hear this from the mechs, but the trouble codes can't discern from a problem with the part/sensor itself and the wiring it is connected to. Plus, there are no trouble codes for the cat itself. This trouble is inferred from the differences in readings from the pre-cat and post-cat O2 sensors. If the post-cat sensor is out of whack, then it might infer that the cat itself is bad instead.

3. First go back to the place that installed the new cat and sensors and give them hell. Have them check all the wiring to the sensors, ground connections, correct part numbers, exhaust system connections for leaks, et al, like they should have back then. Then give them hell for giving you crappy parts that should last at least 10 years instead of barely one month. Get them to fix it then find a better shop for the future.

Hope this helps!