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For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2000 🢒 Impala 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Controls - 3.8L 🢒 DTC P0420 Catalyst System Low Efficiency

Circuit Description

To control emissions of hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and oxides of nitrogen (NOx), a three-way catalytic converter is used. The catalyst within the converter promotes a chemical reaction which oxidizes the HC and CO present in the exhaust gas, converting them into harmless water vapor and carbon dioxide. The catalyst also reduces NOx, converting it to nitrogen. The converter also has the ability to store excess oxygen and release the stored oxygen to promote these reactions. This oxygen storage capacity (OSC) is a measurement of the catalysts ability to control emissions. The PCM monitors this process using a heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) located in the exhaust stream past the three-way converter. When the catalyst is functioning properly, the HO2S 2 is slow to respond to a large change in the HO2S 1 signal. When the HO2S 2 responds quickly to a large change in the HO2S 1 signal, if the oxygen storage capacity and the efficiency of the catalyst is considered to be bad and if subsequent tests also indicate a failure DTC P0420 will set.

Conditions for Running the DTC
  1. Meet conditions for engine warm up. Use the scan tool catalyst data list in order to verify the following conditions.
    2. • No EGR, ECT, MAF, TP, IAT, MAP, CMP, CKP sensor, VSS, EVAP, Misfire, HO2S, IAC Valve, Fuel Trim, or Fuel Injector DTCs set.
    • Engine has been running more than 10 minutes.
    • Engine coolant temperature (ECT) is above 76°C (169°F) and below 124° C (255° F).
    • BARO is above 75 kPa.
    • Vehicle is in Closed Loop.
    • Intake air temperature (IAT) is above -20°C (-4°F) and less than 100°C (212°F).
    • Battery voltage above 10.7 volts
  2. Warm up the catalyst.
    3. • Fully open hood.
    • Transmission is in park (automatic) or neutral (manual).
    • Set the parking brake.
    • Press and hold the service brake.
    • Each time the engine is started the diagnostic can run up to 18 times. After the 10 minute run time and before the diagnostic runs the first time, the engine must run an additional 5 minutes between 1500 and 2500 RPM.
    • Any additional tests on the same key cycle, the engine speed must be between 1500 RPM and 2500 RPM for 1 minute.
    • To activate the diagnostic, return to idle and put the vehicle in drive (depress clutch for manual).
  3. Test the catalyst.
    4. • Transmission is in drive (automatic) or neutral (for manuals with clutch depress).
    • With in 60 seconds the air fuel ratio will go rich below 14.1 for up to 7 seconds, then it may go lean above 15.3 for up to 10 seconds.
    • Check and see if DTC P0420 has passed or failed this key cycle using a scan tool.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The PCM determines that the catalysts oxygen storage capacity is below a threshold considered acceptable.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets
    • The PCM will illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) during the first trip in which the diagnostic test has been run and failed.
    • The PCM will store conditions which were present when the DTC set as Freeze Frame and Failure Records data.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
    • The PCM will turn OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) during the third consecutive trip in which the diagnostic has run and passed.
    • The history DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles have occurred without a malfunction.
    • The DTC can be cleared by using a scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

Check for the following conditions:

    • The PCM WILL NOT ENABLE the catalyst test until following conditions are met:
       - Engine idle speed is plus or minus 100 RPM from desired idle.
       - Throttle position (TP) is 1 percent or less.
       - Short Term FT is between -20 percent and +20 percent.
    • The catalyst test WILL ABORT if the vehicle falls outside the conditions listed below while the test is running:
       - Engine idle speed is plus or minus 125 RPM from desired idle.
       - Throttle position (TP) is 1 percent or less.
       - Short Term FT is between -20 percent and +20 percent.
    • The catalyst test may abort due to a change in engine load (i.e., A/C, coolant fan). If this problem occurs use the scan tool to force the cooling fans on, then return to step 2 in the table.

       Important: When using the scan tool to force the cooling fans on use the next list and previous list soft keys to enter the catalyst data list. If the catalyst data list is not entered this way the cooling fan control will be canceled.

    • The number of attempted tests is limited to 18 per key cycle.
    • More than 6 tests may have to be attempted to get 6 completed tests. An aborted test counts as an attempted test.
    • If 18 tests have been attempted, and a decision has not been made this key cycle, turn the key off for 30 seconds. Start the vehicle and perform the Conditions for Running the DTC, including the 10 minute engine run time.
    • After returning to an idle the HO2S 1 signal may stay rich or lean for several seconds causing the test to be delayed.
    •  Poor connection at PCM -- Inspect harness connectors for the following conditions:
       - Backed out terminals
       -  Improper mating
       - Broken locks
       - Improperly formed or damaged terminals
       - Poor terminal to wire connection
    •  Damaged harness -- Inspect the wiring harness for damage. If the harness appears to be OK, observe the display on the scan tool while moving connectors and wiring harnesses related to the sensor. A change in the display will indicate the location of the fault.

If the DTC cannot be duplicated and is determined to be intermittent, reviewing the Failure Records can be useful in determining when the DTC was last set. Also refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. The Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check prompts the technician to complete some basic checks and store the freeze frame and failure records data on the scan tool if applicable.

    2.

  2. If any component DTCs are set, diagnose those DTCs first. A fault in a component can cause the converter to appear degraded or may have caused its failure.

    3.

  3. Clearing the DTCs allows the catalyst test to be tested up to 18 times and completed up to 6 times this ignition cycle. If the A/C is not turned off the diagnostic may not run. The engine must be warmed-up. The converter needs to be warmed-up by raising the engine speed above idle for the specified time prior to each attempted test. Check and see if DTC passed or failed this ignition cycle. If the DTC does not pass or fail look for a possible reason that would cause the test to abort.

    4.

  4. This step includes checks for conditions that can cause the three-way converter to appear degraded. Repair any problems found before proceeding with this table.

    5.

  5. If the three-way converter needs to be replaced, make sure that another condition is not present which could damage the converter. These conditions may include misfire, leaking or plugged fuel injectors, high engine oil or coolant consumption, retarded spark timing or weak spark. Correct any possible causes of converter damage before replacing the converter.

DTC P0420 - TWC System Low Efficiency

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

Are any other DTCs set?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List/Type

Go to Step 3

3

    Important: If the A/C is left on the diagnostic may not run.

  1. Turn OFF the A/C.
  2. Start the engine and wait until the vehicle is fully warmed up-at least ten minutes, then above 1500 RPM for 5 additional minutes. One minute for each additional attempt at 1500 RPM on same key cycle. The vehicle may be driven for the 5 minute run time.
  3. Fully open hood.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the conditions for running this DTC.

    5. Important: If more than 6 tests have been attempted and the DTC has not passed or failed this ignition cycle the test may be aborted. Refer to Diagnostic Aids.

  5. Test may need to be completed up to 6 times in order to pass or fail.

Does the scan tool indicate the DTC ran and passed this ignition cycle?

--

System OK

Go to Step 4

4

  1. Visually and physically inspect the three-way catalytic converter for damage.
  2. Inspect for the following:
    3. • Dents
    • Severe discoloration caused by excessive temperatures
    • Holes
    • Internal rattle caused by damaged catalyst substrate
  3. Also, ensure that the three-way catalytic converter is a proper original equipment manufacturer part.

Did you find a problem?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 5

5
  1. Visually and physically inspect the exhaust system for leaks.
  2. Visually and physically inspect the exhaust system for restrictions. Refer to Restricted Exhaust System Check .
  3. If a problem is found, repair as necessary.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 6

6

Visually inspect and test for the following:

    • Oxygen sensors for damage
    • Oxygen sensors wiring harness for damage

If a problem is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement and/or Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 7

7

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 three way catalytic converter. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement in Engine Exhaust.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 8

--

8
  1. Clear the DTCs using the scan tool.

    2. Important: If the A/C is left on the following diagnostic may not run.

  2. Turn OFF the A/C.
  3. Start the engine and wait until the vehicle is fully warmed up-at least ten minutes, then above 1500 RPM for 5 additional minutes. One minute for each additional attempt at 1500 RPM on same key cycle. The vehicle may be driven for the 5 minute run time.
  4. Fully open hood.
  5. Operate the vehicle within the conditions for running this DTC.

    6. Important: If more than 6 tests have been attempted and the DTC has not passed or failed this ignition cycle the test may be aborted. Refer to Diagnostic Aids.

  6. Test may need to be completed up to 6 times in order to pass or fail.

Does the DTC reset?

--

System OK

Go to Step 2