02 GP SE 02 sensor problems/cat converter

[MeghanS23]

I am new here-but need some advice.

I own a 02 GP SE. It was bought used w/48k miles on it. No problems whatsoever for 2 years until recently the car started missing from 1st-2nd and then getting stuck at 4000 rpm's trying to go just 25 mph. No SES light however was turned on.

Brought to local dealer-did tune up and changed the cat converter due to it being clogged.

car was running like new for 1 week-now the SES light went on.
Brought back to mechanic and did not give me the exact code(i wasn't present when brought) and was told the knocking noise was more of a concern than the code itself.

I was told the code relates to Bank 1 02 sensor. I am assuming it would be one of 6 codes all relating to 02 sensor activity. Mech. ran diagnostics report-all equipment running as it should be. He says not too worry about the code-it's an "emissions" code only. He said something about not enough air getting into engine or somewhere,but, that this problem is not some thing that will degrade my engine or any thing like that.

When he was telling me about the new cat. converter he installed-he told me that he could have put the cheapest one in and i would have a world of problems w/the SES light and sensors and what not so he installed the more expensive one. However, it appears that all of the problems he said would occur when using the cheaper cat has happened.

Car is running smooth-fine actually besides the light. I know that any time a light is on-it's a problem and needs to be fixed.

he said there appears to be not enough o2 burning the gas in the ignition chamber, therefore the light is going on.

Why would the light go on-and how do I fix this?

The car now has 74k miles on it, and never had any issues prior to this.
I demanded he clear the code for free and find out if it continues to set off.

ANy help-advice, etc? Need more info? Sorry if I am all over the place here...

[richtazz]

take your car to Auto-Zone or Advance auto, they will pull the codes for you for free. have them make a print out or write the codes down and post them here. That will give us a direction to go.

[gusto16]

02 grand prix gt owners should be getting something from pontiac stating that the cat convertors can fail because something may fall off. They will replace if you have problems or will refund if you have had a new one installed. I personally had to change the c.c the egr valve, and i also changed both o2 sensors. piece of junk. close to 700 bucks for all that

if your c.c. works fine they won't do anything!! it says that it is not a recall notice on my statement i got from pontiac. The address is recall processing center po box 909989 milwaukee wi 53209-9989 and # you could call would be either 18006207668 or reimbursement questions 18002040261.

hope this helps