GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2003 🢒 Corvette 🢒 Brakes 🢒 Hydraulic Brakes 🢒 DTC P0420 or P0430

Circuit Description

In order to maintain low emissions of hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and oxides of nitrogen (NOx), the engine controls system uses a 3-way catalytic converter. The catalyst within the converter promotes a chemical reaction, which oxidizes the HC and CO that are present in the exhaust gas. This reaction converts these chemicals into harmless water vapor and carbon dioxide. The catalyst also reduces NOx, converting NOx into nitrogen. The powertrain control module (PCM) monitors this process using heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) bank 1 sensor 2. HO2S bank 1 sensor 2, located in the exhaust stream past the 3-way catalytic converter, produces an output signal which indicates the oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst. This determines the catalyst's ability to effectively convert the exhaust emissions. If the catalyst is functioning correctly, the HO2S bank 1 sensor 2 signal will be far less active than the signal that is produced by HO2S bank 1 sensor 1. This indicates that the 3-way catalytic converter's oxygen storage capacity is below an acceptable threshold.

The PCM performs this diagnostic during idle. When the conditions for running this DTC are met, the following conditions occurs:

  1. The PCM captures the current rear HO2S rich-to-lean status.
  2. The air-to-fuel ratio transitions from rich to lean or from lean to rich, depending on the capture rear HO2S rich-to-lean status.
  3. The air-to-fuel ratio transitions a second time opposite the first air-to-fuel ratio transition.
  4. The PCM captures the response time of the front and rear heated oxygen sensors when the air-to-fuel ratio transitions occur. The HO2S response time goes from less 300 mV to more than 600 mV, and from more than 600 mV to less than 300 mV.
  5. The PCM measures the time it takes the rear HO2S voltage to cross a reference rich-to-lean threshold, minus the time it takes the front HO2S voltage to cross the same rich-to-lean threshold. The difference between the front HO2S time and the rear HO2S time is the oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst. This DTC sets if the time exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Conditions for Running the DTC
    • DTCs P0101, P0102, P0103, P0106, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0116, P0117, P0118, P0128, P0131, P0132, P0133, P0134, P0135, P0137, P0140, P0141, P0151, P0152, P0153, P0154, P0155, P0157, P0158, P0160, P0161, P0171, P0172, P0174, P0175, P0200, P0300, P0325, P0327, P0335, P0336, P0341, P0342, P0343, P0351-P0358, P0410, P0440, P0502, P0503, P0506, P0507, P0606, P1120, P1133, P1134, P1153, P1154, P1220, P1336, P1415, P1416, or P1441 are not set.
    • The intake air temperature (IAT) is more than -7°C (19°F), but less than 75°C (167°F).
    • The barometric pressure (BARO) is more than 74 kPa (10.7 psi).
    • The engine is operating.
    • The engine coolant temperature (ECT) is more than 75°C (167°F), but less than 117°C (243°F).
    • Since the end of the last idle period, the engine speed is more than 850 RPM for a minimum of:
       - 17 seconds for manual transmissions
       - 27 seconds for automatic transmissions
    • The Closed Loop fuel control is enabled.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The PCM determines if oxygen storage capability of the catalytic converter has degraded to less than a calibrated threshold.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets
    • The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is turned ON.
    • A DTC is stored in memory.
    • The Freeze Frame/Failure Records are stored.
    • The Failure Records are updated after the first failure of each ignition cycle.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
    • The control module turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 3 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
    • A current DTC, Last Test Failed, clears when the diagnostic runs and passes.
    • A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic.
    • Clear the MIL and the DTC with a scan tool.

Test Description

The number below refers to the step number on the diagnostic table.

  1. Before you replace the 3-way catalytic converter, correct any conditions which may have damaged the catalyst.

Step

Action

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check-Engine Controls?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls

2

Are any other DTCs set?

Go to the applicable DTC table

Go to Step 3

3

Check for the following conditions:

    • Verify that the 3-way catalytic converter is an original equipment part.
    • Inspect the 3-way catalytic converter for damage from the following conditions:
       - Dents
       - Severe discoloration caused by excessive temperatures
       - Holes
       - Other conditions
    • Ensure that an internal 3-way catalytic converter rattle that is caused by a damaged catalyst is not present.
    • Inspect the exhaust system for the following conditions:
       - Leaks
       - Damage
       - Loose hardware
       - Missing hardware
    • Ensure that the HO2S 1 and the HO2S 2 are secure, and ensure that the pigtails and the wiring are not damaged or contacting the exhaust.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 4

4

Replace the catalytic converter. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement in Engine Exhaust.

Is the action complete?

Go to Step 5

--

5
  1. Clear the DTCs with a scan tool.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records.

Did the DTC fail this ignition?

Go to Step 2

Go to Step 6

6

Observe the Capture Info with a scan tool.

Are there any DTCs that have not been diagnosed?

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

System OK