Circuit Description
This diagnostic test is designed in order to measure the efficiency of the three-way catalytic converter (TWC) system. Catalytic convertor efficiency is a measure of its ability to store oxygen after converting the levels of hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) to less harmful gases. The control module is able to evaluate the catalyst efficiency once the vehicle has met the enable criteria and the vehicle is at idle instead of the steady cruise speeds used in the past.
Once the conditions for running this diagnostic trouble code (DTC) are met, the control module commands either a lean or rich air/fuel ratio depending on the current state of the exhaust oxygen level. The control module issues a rich command if the exhaust is currently lean, or a lean command if the exhaust is currently rich. After completion of the first command, a second and opposite command is issued.
For example, if the control module were to command a rich mixture, the upstream heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) voltage would increase immediately. The rich mixture is delayed in reaching the downstream HO2S due to the conversion process occurring within the converter. The higher the efficiency, the more the delay before the rich or lean mixture is detected by the downstream oxygen (O2) sensor. As a result of the lower conversion efficiency within a damaged or poisoned catalyst, the delay in the rich or lean mixture reaching the downstream O2 sensor is significantly shorter. This DTC monitors the amount of time required for both the upstream and downstream HO2S voltages to cross a calibrated voltage threshold in response to the rich or lean command.
Conditions for Running the DTC
| • | No active secondary AIR DTCs |
| • | No active camshaft position (CMP) sensor DTCs |
| • | No active engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor DTCs |
| • | No active exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) DTCs |
| • | No active fuel trim DTCs |
| • | No active idle air control (IAC) DTCs |
| • | No active intake air temperature (IAT) sensor DTCs |
| • | No active mass air flow (MAF) sensor DTCs |
| • | No active manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor DTCs |
| • | No active oxygen (O2) sensor DTCs |
| • | No active transmission DTCs |
| • | No active evaporative emission (EVAP) system DTCs |
| • | No active throttle position (TP) sensor DTCs |
| • | No active vehicle speed sensor (VSS) DTCs |
| • | No active misfire DTCs |
| • | The engine speed is 900 RPM or more for more than 35 seconds since last idle period. |
| • | The engine has been running for more than 346 seconds and the long term fuel trim is stable. |
| • | The predicted catalyst temperature is more than 425°C (797°F). |
| • | The system is in Closed Loop. |
| • | The BARO is 73 kPa or more. |
| • | The IAT is between -7-117°C (20-167°F). |
| • | The ECT is between 75-117°C (167-243°F). |
| • | The engine has been idling for less than 60 seconds. |
| • | The actual engine speed is within 100 RPM of the desired idle speed. |
Conditions for Setting the DTC
The VCM determines that the oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst has degraded below a calibrated threshold.
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
The VCM illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after one failure is reported.
Conditions for Clearing the MIL or DTC
| • | The control module turns OFF the MIL after 3 consecutive drive trips when the test has run and passed. |
| • | A history DTC will clear if no fault conditions have been detected for 40 warm-up cycles. A warm-up cycle occurs when the coolant temperature has risen 22°C (40°F) from the startup coolant temperature and the engine coolant reaches a temperature that is more than 70°C (158°F) during the same ignition cycle. |
| • | Use a scan tool in order to clear the DTCs. |
Diagnostic Aids
Difficulty running the OBD II status DTC P0420 test may be encountered in areas where the test conditions cannot be maintained easily, especially in urban areas.
Fuel with a high sulfur content can cause a marginal convertor to look bad. Check fuel quality.
An intermittent may be caused by any of the following conditions:
| • | A poor connection |
| • | Rubbed through wire insulation |
| • | A broken wire inside the insulation |
Thoroughly inspect any circuitry that is suspected of causing the intermittent complaint. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems.
If a repair is necessary, refer to Wiring Repairs or Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Test Description
The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.
-
This table checks for conditions that can cause the three-way catalytic converter efficiency to appear degraded. Inspect and repair exhaust system as necessary. Refer to Exhaust System Inspection in Engine Exhaust.
-
Before the three-way catalytic converter is replaced, make sure that the following conditions are not present:
| • | Misfire |
| • | High engine oil consumption or coolant consumption |
| • | Retarded spark timing or weak spark |
Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check? | -- | ||||||||
2 | Are any other DTCs set? | -- | Go to the applicable DTC table | |||||||
Did you find a problem? | -- | |||||||||
4 |
Did you find a problem? | -- | ||||||||
5 |
Does the scan tool indicate the diagnostic Passed? | -- | System OK | |||||||
|
Notice: In order to avoid damaging the replacement three-way catalytic converter, correct the engine misfire or mechanical fault before replacing the three-way catalytic converter. Replace the catalytic convertor. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement in Engine Exhaust. Is the action complete? | -- | System OK | -- |
