Check engine light

On the way home today, the light went off.

Probably just a loose gas cap. When you take it in for service see if they'll read the code and make sure. If the light comes back on for sure have them check it out.

Had my car serviced today. They said the code was: "P1420 NOX CATALYZER PERFORMANCE". If it comes on again, they said the catalytic converter will need to be replaced at a cost of $1277.21. Can someone explain what the code means?

Buying crashed Insights from Ebay seems like a good investment for spart parts....

bfivelover said:

Had my car serviced today. They said the code was: "P1420 NOX CATALYZER PERFORMANCE". If it comes on again, they said the catalytic converter will need to be replaced at a cost of $1277.21. Can someone explain what the code means?

Click to expand...

It means that the secondary O2 sensor has "awakened" indicating poor CAT "scrubbing".

As with all codes some are glitches. And especially with a CAT code it may only ocurr infrequently in the early stages of CAT failure.

As long as there are no other codes concurrent, no drivability problems (misfire, surging) and a tune-up isn't overdue once it comes on routinely its time for CAT replacement.

HTH !

Hi Bfivelover:

___It sounds like you are heading towards a CAT replacement. I would check from a few sources before paying out the $1,277. There is a body shop near me that has a parts inventory system for crashed automobiles all over the country. I bet many body shops are tied into it. With that, you might be able to locate a CAT from a low mileage wrecked one for a lot less.

___The Corolla had that code pop early last year. Toyota covered it under warranty and the bill came out to a similar $1,2xx so it doesn’t appear to be out of line. Still outrageous but not when compared to the Corolla’s anyway?

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___[email:2su71qfe][email protected][/email:2su71qfe]

Insightful Trekker said:

As long as there are no other codes concurrent, no drivability problems (misfire, surging) and a tune-up isn't overdue once it comes on routinely its time for CAT replacement.

HTH !

Click to expand...

Thanks John. No drivability problems, in fact I'm getting great mileage, even in the cold temps. Tune-up isn't due for 8,000 miles or so. I'm hoping nothing needs replacing till at least August when I'll have the car paid off and will have an extra $400 a month to play with.

I wonder how bad the Insight would do on emissions testing with open headers anyway. Too bad there's way to many electronics to run it like that.

bfivelover said:

Has anyone else experienced the "Check engine" light in the 90,000-92,000 mile range. Mine came on yesterday on my way to work. I already had a scheduled maintainance appointment on Thursday, and since Honda said it should be okay till then, and Hagerstown Honda seems to know their stuff, I'm waiting till then. Any thoughts?

Click to expand...

My car 90090 miles has the light coming on too. My OBDII tool says P0420 (or P0240). Something about the bank 1 converter emmissions are out of spec. Have you determined what your cause is?

Djhdano said:

bfivelover said:

My car 90090 miles has the light coming on too. My OBDII tool says P0420 (or P0240). Something about the bank 1 converter emmissions are out of spec. Have you determined what your cause is?

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Only what I stated in my previous post, that Honda says the Cat Converter will need replacing if the light comes on again.

bfivelover said:

Djhdano said:

bfivelover said:

My car 90090 miles has the light coming on too. My OBDII tool says P0420 (or P0240). Something about the bank 1 converter emmissions are out of spec. Have you determined what your cause is?

Click to expand...

Only what I stated in my previous post, that Honda says the Cat Converter will need replacing if the light comes on again.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

What if I do not replace the converter? We do not have emissions testing here. Will the car run ok or does the second sensor do more than just control the engine light? I would rather not spend $1000 on something that is not a must to have!

In my experience with P0420, this is what happens:

1. ECU logs a pending code if the problem occurs once. This CAN send it into default mode, but often does not.

2. If P0420 occurs during several more driving cycles, the CEL is illuminated and P0420 is logged as a trouble code. Car is still in default.

3. If you continue to drive with the CEL on, eventually it will turn off. P0420 will be stored, and the car will return to normal. Lean burn will once again become available, as will auto stop and all regular functions.

I don't know off hand if the cycle will repeat eventually, as I have gotten into the (bad) habit of just resetting the code. This gets me 100 miles or so before it comes back, or sometimes longer depending on how long it takes for the readiness codes to be set.

bfivelover said:

Djhdano said:

bfivelover said:

My car 90090 miles has the light coming on too. My OBDII tool says P0420 (or P0240). Something about the bank 1 converter emmissions are out of spec. Have you determined what your cause is?

Click to expand...

Only what I stated in my previous post, that Honda says the Cat Converter will need replacing if the light comes on again.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I have the P0420 code too. Will both cats have to be replaced?

P0420 indicates that the three way cat should be replaced. The service manual says to reset the code, then follow a driving pattern to set the readiness codes. If P0420 reoccurs, replace the TWC.

Unfortunately, cat death can be caused by other things, but the service manual does not include any troubleshooting past what I mentioned above. If you are experiencing any other codes, they should be troubleshot first, before you deal with P0420.