Catalytic Converter Help

[dwfpdx]

Hi,

2000 Honda Insight.
The engine light came on with the P0420 error shown. I came here and after much reading(almost every CAT thread) and hearing that it might not be the CAT Converter, I went the hopeful cheap route and bought:
2000 Honda Insight Oxygen Sensor Fuel Injection Price: $43.67 Core
I had it installed for $100.00
Engine light came back on.
So, now I'm looking to but the CAT Converter I guess. My question is what should I buy? When you do an online search, there are so many different ones, front, back, both, and the prices vary from $67.00 to well over a thousand.
Any advice on the absolute cheapest way to fix this? (we were in a horrible car accident and this car was given to us and we love it but-I don't know much about Insights-but I was able to replace the battery in three long days by myself, so any advice is appreciated as we have very little money but need this car to be legal-tags are now expired)
Thank you.

[Eli]

Look into the spark plug no foul mod. Should cost $10.

Trying to find a link with details..

Well, not a thread here but this works:

http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=1841240

[Willie Williford]

Post your location for some hands on help.

Willie

[jeff652]

I have both cats from a 2001 for sale. They are in good working condition. PM me if interested.

Thanks
Jeff

[dwfpdx]

I'm still looking for advice on what I need to do/buy to fix this. I appreciate the alternative ideas, but if I do need to replace the CAT-my question again is-what should I buy? When you do an online search, there are so many different ones, front, back, both, and the prices vary from $67.00 to well over a thousand.
Any advice on the absolute cheapest way to fix this?

Thanks Eli, that's totally new to me. Seems like a long shot-anybody else had any success with this?

Willie-I'm in Portland, OR.

Thanks.

[Eli]

Portland, my home town. Wish I was home, I'd offer a hand. I want to have a big Insight meet this summer when I move back.

The spark plug no foul mod works great. I haven't tried it myself (yet), but by all accounts it's a cheap and easy fix to make the P0420 go away.

[kennysmith]

I think Pdx is asking which cat needs to be replaced. Does anyone know? Wasn't there a recall or software fix for P0420? Please check with Honda to see if it qualifies for recall. Honda seems really lousy at looking this stuff up so if anyone knows if there is an update please include the number, if known.

If it were mine and it drives fine I would do Eli's fix. Pretty simple I think. I don't think there are any $67 cats so you might include some links to what you are seeing. Getting Jeff's cats would be an easy solution if the price is right.

I'm also near Portland, but don't know how else I can help. PM me if you want my contact info. I've seen a blue one in Hollywood, a silver on I-84 and a silver on NW front street. Once I saw a red one near lloyd center, but that has been a year ago.

[Willie Williford]

Replace the second cat.
HTH
Willie