I have been getting a CEL on and off for about two months now. It goes away, comes back, goes away etc. My car also has some random power issues (lack of it).
The code is main catalyst below efficency threshold. I'm thinking it may be plugging up which could be causing the power issues.
Anyway, is there a way to trick the ECU into thinking that it's fine, so I can remove it?
They don't etest hybrids in ontario so legal issues aside I don't really need it, unless the car requires it for something. And I'm sure that even without the cat this car produces less emmissions than 99% of everything else on the road.
what year is your insight? My friend who had a 2000 insight with the p0420 code put a spacer on the 2nd sensor and the code never came back. I am not sure if it works on the later insights 02 and up, since they have 2 sensors after the first cat. google for o2 sensor spacer, or cel eliminator.
what year is your insight? My friend who had a 2000 insight with the p0420 code put a spacer on the 2nd sensor and the code never came back. I am not sure if it works on the later insights 02 and up, since they have 2 sensors after the first cat. google for o2 sensor spacer, or cel eliminator.
I think mine is an '00.
Sometimes the car is down on power which I think is related.
It runs smoothly, but is GUTLESS. like, full throttle in 3rd or 4th gear to maintain 50mph. MPG's have been on a steady downwards trend recently too. I had one tank in the low 40's, when I bought this car even if I drove it like I stole it I never got under 60 on a full tank.
You must have a cvt model?
Look on the sticker on the door jamb, it will tell you what year it is.
If.......The CAT is getting plugged, it will more than likely be the second CAT, not the first.
__________________
01 MT "Little Red Rocket"
The first "TURBOCHARGED" Hybrid, Insight G1- (01/2003)
MaxIMA Battery (Serial #2), on 8/25/12 @ 301,520 miles
Use: 320,000 mi. @ 57.8 LMPG
You must have a cvt model?
Look on the sticker on the door jamb, it will tell you what year it is.
If.......The CAT is getting plugged, it will more than likely be the second CAT, not the first.
5 speed manual. I just forgot what year it was, but its a 2000
P0420 has some effects on lean burn. I noticed when I had the same issue that lean burn was erratic at best, and certainly forcing exhaust through a clogged cat is a lot of work.
A used cat shouldn't be too hard to find, or a new one at the dealer isn't ridiculous as I recall.
However before you do any replacement, have the dealer check to see if the ECM recall has been performed. There was a recall due to this issue due to the ECM being too sensitive to changes in the cat's performance. My guess is that the recall also fixed the issue with it clogging in the first place. Mine was ruined a year after I got the car, but after the update has been fine since then.
Its probably been brought up many times before, but why does the ECM need to be replaced from the dealer to clear up the P0420 (main catalyst below efficency threshold)? Did that code come up on the cars when they were new? I wonder how long it took for the code to show up?
Does a dirty and clogged intake have anything to do with it? My Insight came without a second cat (someone cut it out before I bought it). It still had the P0420 code after about 600 miles.
Honda hasn't replaced my ECM, although they said that it is free and my car has not had it done yet. But again, why should I get the ECM replaced if it should be working right anyway?
The ECM has to be replaced, because of the "smog emmisions" and to stop the false CEL indication.
__________________
01 MT "Little Red Rocket"
The first "TURBOCHARGED" Hybrid, Insight G1- (01/2003)
MaxIMA Battery (Serial #2), on 8/25/12 @ 301,520 miles
Use: 320,000 mi. @ 57.8 LMPG
The ECM has to be replaced, because of the "smog emmisions" and to stop the false CEL indication.
Right, doesn't the CEL indicate P0420? Did this "false CEL indication" show up when the cars were new? I have only had mine less than a year, so I only saw it 12 years after the car was sold new.
Some did, some didn't. Mine never did, and I've owned it since 2001. I had to have it done to complete the reg. through the DMV @ 88,000 miles.
__________________
01 MT "Little Red Rocket"
The first "TURBOCHARGED" Hybrid, Insight G1- (01/2003)
MaxIMA Battery (Serial #2), on 8/25/12 @ 301,520 miles
Use: 320,000 mi. @ 57.8 LMPG
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Main cat below efficiency threshold.
