11-12-2013, 12:39 AM
|
#1
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Boston, MA area
Posts: 514
|
|
Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Boston, MA area
Posts: 514
|
"Cat not ready" for inspection question (P0420)
Hi Guys,
Looking for some advice here.
Recently been having some intermittent check engine lights that I have been simply clearing with the code reader. They would stay off for a good while and eventually pop back on. The code was a P0420 cat code.
Anyways, I hadn't been paying too much attention and it became time for an inspection. So I cleared the light on the way to the inspection knowing full well it would not pass. Since the computer was not ready, I have 60 days to get a passing test completed, which will be up at the end of November.
Here's the problem: I have driven the vehicle for over 550 miles and almost six weeks since the computer was reset. Though the CEL is not on, the I/M status is showing as "Not ready" by my Maxiscan 300 reader. All of the sensors are reading either OK or n/a with the exception of the Cat which is showing not ready.
For the record, I had replaced the O2 sensor and cleaned the MAF after I got it home from the insepction. The A/F sensor has only about 30K on it.
I have driven the truck for many short, some medium and a few long trips in that 550 miles.
Can anyone speculate why my cat is not reporting as ready? I would think it will either report in for duty all systems go or trigger a CEL, one way or the other. I am beginning to think I am looking at an expensive cat replacement coming up in two weeks.
Any ideas?
__________________
2015 Magnetic Grey Limited with Redwood interior. 275/55r20 Michelin Defender LTX on stock wheels. Daystar 2.5/1.5 puck lift.
Gone but not forgotten: Black 2000 SR5 "Highlander", Supercharged, Black pearl emblems, Factory e-Locker.
Last edited by SkidPalace; 01-30-2014 at 06:14 PM.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
11-13-2013, 12:37 AM
|
#2
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Boston, MA area
Posts: 514
|
|
Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Boston, MA area
Posts: 514
|
Bumpity bump.
Anyone?
__________________
2015 Magnetic Grey Limited with Redwood interior. 275/55r20 Michelin Defender LTX on stock wheels. Daystar 2.5/1.5 puck lift.
Gone but not forgotten: Black 2000 SR5 "Highlander", Supercharged, Black pearl emblems, Factory e-Locker.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
11-13-2013, 01:34 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Here, There..
Posts: 3,787
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Here, There..
Posts: 3,787
|
Either the cat actually is bad, or the O2 sensor after the cat is bad. Typically if it's the O2 sensor after the Cat, (bank 1 sensor 2) you'd get a PO136. Sometimes, you'll get a PO420 indicating a bad Cat, but it is just a bad sensor. I'd try replacing the O2 sensor after the cat, before replacing the Cat. Replace that, and then complete a drive cycle to see if that system will set as 'Ready'.
Just an FYI, every time you clear the code, that system will have to see a completed drive cycle, until it will set as 'ready'. Pull the fuse, or disconnect the battery, etc. to reset the computer, and all of the various systems will again have to complete their specified drive cycles, until they will show as 'Ready'.
So doing that on the way to an emissions test, pretty much guarantees that one or more systems won't be 'Ready', when the tech plugs the tester into the OBD II port. Which means a failed test.
Use a Denso sensor only. Amazon usually has the best prices.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
11-13-2013, 02:13 AM
|
#4
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: NoPo, OR
Posts: 440
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: NoPo, OR
Posts: 440
|
I had a p0420 and replaced the o2 sensors and it fixed it. Could be a cat though.
__________________
98 Limited V6 w/310k Miles l 4X4 l Rear Locker l Goodyear Duratracs 265/75/16 l 199mm Tundra Brake Mod l Cobra 800 Watt Power Converter l Uniden Pro 520 XL CB Radio l Bilstein HD Shocks l CS 144 Alternator
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
11-13-2013, 11:37 AM
|
#5
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Charlotte, NC
Age: 46
Posts: 67
Real Name: David
|
|
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Charlotte, NC
Age: 46
Posts: 67
Real Name: David
|
You may want to check your state laws. In North Carolina, if a vehicle is a 2001 and newer, you can have up to 1 system monitor in the "not ready" condition and still take and pass the test. If the vehicle is between 2000 and 1996 you can have up to 2 system monitors in the "not ready" condition and still pass.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
11-13-2013, 02:43 PM
|
#6
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Boston, MA area
Posts: 514
|
|
Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Boston, MA area
Posts: 514
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Four-CLT
You may want to check your state laws. In North Carolina, if a vehicle is a 2001 and newer, you can have up to 1 system monitor in the "not ready" condition and still take and pass the test. If the vehicle is between 2000 and 1996 you can have up to 2 system monitors in the "not ready" condition and still pass.
|
Dude you are the fricken MAN . I just confirmed that I can pass in MA with one sensor still not ready. I am going back to the inspection station today to hopefully get the passing sticker. With my luck, I will probably trigger the P0420 on the way to the shop...
Thanks for all the replies guys.
FYI, advice from my uncle (owns a repair shop/inspection station) is that if I have gone this far and the cat is still not ready, it is (they are) likely bad. So I am still not out of the woods.
__________________
2015 Magnetic Grey Limited with Redwood interior. 275/55r20 Michelin Defender LTX on stock wheels. Daystar 2.5/1.5 puck lift.
Gone but not forgotten: Black 2000 SR5 "Highlander", Supercharged, Black pearl emblems, Factory e-Locker.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
11-13-2013, 03:02 PM
|
#7
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Charlotte, NC
Age: 46
Posts: 67
Real Name: David
|
|
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Charlotte, NC
Age: 46
Posts: 67
Real Name: David
|
No problem. Best of luck to you!
I'm in the same situation. I didn't pull the Toyota service history until after I bought my truck. It turns out the PO had replaced the O2 sensors twice and had the OEM cat replacement quoted by the dealer. He never sprung for that one for obvious reasons (~$2,150); however, he was able to get the yearly inspection to pass for the 3 years prior to my ownership. I've skirted past once so far.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
11-14-2013, 01:04 AM
|
#8
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Boston, MA area
Posts: 514
|
|
Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Boston, MA area
Posts: 514
|
Success. Inspection sticker received.
Thanks a lot guys.
Ask and ye shall receive on T4R.org.
__________________
2015 Magnetic Grey Limited with Redwood interior. 275/55r20 Michelin Defender LTX on stock wheels. Daystar 2.5/1.5 puck lift.
Gone but not forgotten: Black 2000 SR5 "Highlander", Supercharged, Black pearl emblems, Factory e-Locker.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
11-14-2013, 06:40 AM
|
#9
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: The Mountains of North Cackalacky
Posts: 141
|
|
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: The Mountains of North Cackalacky
Posts: 141
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Four-CLT
You may want to check your state laws. In North Carolina, if a vehicle is a 2001 and newer, you can have up to 1 system monitor in the "not ready" condition and still take and pass the test. If the vehicle is between 2000 and 1996 you can have up to 2 system monitors in the "not ready" condition and still pass.
|
Hell, I did not know this.
Good to know especially since I am in NC
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
11-14-2013, 02:25 PM
|
#10
|
|
Elite Member
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Pocono Mountains
Posts: 7,502
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Pocono Mountains
Posts: 7,502
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Four-CLT
You may want to check your state laws. In North Carolina, if a vehicle is a 2001 and newer, you can have up to 1 system monitor in the "not ready" condition and still take and pass the test. If the vehicle is between 2000 and 1996 you can have up to 2 system monitors in the "not ready" condition and still pass.
|
In NJ, you cannot pass with a Catalyst 'Not ready.' I checked. A-holes.
__________________
'99 4Runner SR5 5spd 3.4L V6 4WD(U.S), original '99 Talls in front, OME 906s in back, Hella fogs, Trekmaster shocks in front, Billy in back, no running boards, FIAMM horns, Alpine sound, Michelin LTX M/S2's, owned since new.
'97 HiLux SW4 5spd 4WD(Japan model bought in Brazil assembled in Argentina, very close to a 3.0 4Runner/Surf)
'71 FordWillys Jeep CJ5 (with straight six Ford Maverick 3.0 liter engine--lives in the mountains north of Sao Paulo Brazil)
My Backyard Frame Swap
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
11-15-2013, 03:59 AM
|
#11
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Seattle
Posts: 36
|
|
Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Seattle
Posts: 36
|
__________________
1998 4runner SR5 V6 4x4 Anthracite Metallic 191K
2000 Land Cruiser Limited V8 134K
1995 VW Jetta 2.0L 281K
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
11-15-2013, 10:56 AM
|
#12
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 506
|
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 506
|
So glad Florida did away with emissions testing. The old people down here only drive to and from doctors and grocery stores.
__________________
BUILD THREAD | Flickr
97 2.7 4x4 5spd, OME 881 / 890, Cooper Discoverer A/T 3, blacked out 16" split 3s, Savage Sliders. LCE Street Headers, Marlin HD Clutch.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
11-15-2013, 12:12 PM
|
#13
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: north ridgeville ohio
Age: 52
Posts: 35
|
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: north ridgeville ohio
Age: 52
Posts: 35
|
glad you got your sticker... Now fix your car
The 420 code explains that the sensor that monitors the cats ability to store oxygen is outside of its specs. Which means you are either running too rich or to lean. Stick your finger in the end of your tail pipe. Black rich nothing lean. Lean not enough gas or too much air.Rich too much gas or not enough air.lean is hot and will mean internal temps rise causing oil usage and internal wear. your truck your decision
__________________
99 4runner highlander
285/75/16 kumho kl 61
tundra coils
LC 8wraps
5100s
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
12-26-2013, 03:15 PM
|
#14
|
|
Elite Member
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Pocono Mountains
Posts: 7,502
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Pocono Mountains
Posts: 7,502
|
I thought I'd share my experience on this (long post, sorry). As I got close to my June inspection (every two years) this time, I found I had an I/M Catalyst = Not Ready but no code. I had last cut battery power maybe a month before. I tried my best to adhere exactly to the drive model (see link below) and it just stayed stuck on Not Ready. (Try and drive for 16 min. @ 35-45 mph in New Jersey. You will hit a light, or at least a Stop sign anywhere off the Interstate--and more than one. Try and drive 35-45 on a NJ Interstate for 16 min.! Somebody will shoot you...)
So when I was overdue back in July, I said, "eff this", and put in the URD sim. My sensors were less than 50k on the clock and I had no exhaust leaks. I reset once or twice but no help. I got into a panic as Jan. 1 approached since the stickers change color and shape each year and the last of ones like mine would expire. Still Not Ready and no code and now five months overdue.
Finally, on Dec 22, ready to order new cats without ever seeing a P0420, I checked one last time, and got a 'Ready'. Thank you for the Xmas present 4Runner! Made an appointment and passed inspection the next day. I hope I never have to cut battery power again.
It was probably a trip to Kennedy Airport I made in early December. Thank you Staten Island Expressway and Belt Parkway. Lots of steady driving at <45mph. I guess temps don't get hot enough to complete at the higher speeds we run where I live.
Here is the drive pattern spec, mine is #4 on page 13:
http://forum.ih8mud.com/attachment.p...4&d=1286683966
When it gets warmer, I'm going to pull the sim without resetting. I suspect I didn't need it. Didn't seem to help, anyway.
__________________
'99 4Runner SR5 5spd 3.4L V6 4WD(U.S), original '99 Talls in front, OME 906s in back, Hella fogs, Trekmaster shocks in front, Billy in back, no running boards, FIAMM horns, Alpine sound, Michelin LTX M/S2's, owned since new.
'97 HiLux SW4 5spd 4WD(Japan model bought in Brazil assembled in Argentina, very close to a 3.0 4Runner/Surf)
'71 FordWillys Jeep CJ5 (with straight six Ford Maverick 3.0 liter engine--lives in the mountains north of Sao Paulo Brazil)
My Backyard Frame Swap
Last edited by TheDurk; 12-26-2013 at 03:42 PM.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
01-30-2014, 05:49 PM
|
#15
|
|
Banned
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Cupertino, CA
Posts: 196
|
|
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Cupertino, CA
Posts: 196
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheDurk
I tried my best to adhere exactly to the drive model (see link below)
|
TheDurk kindly pointed me just now to here, because I have a similar problem, in California, with not being able to smog, because I can't fill the catalytic converter monitor after weeks of driving:
I had not seen this drive cycle TSB until now, so, I will read it to see if it helps set the catalytic converter monitor.
Currently in California, you can have up to two monitors (any two) unset, and still pass for a 1996 to 2000 year passenger vehicle; but the smog check station I went to told me otherwise. Right then and there, I called the California BAR at 800-952-5210, who confirmed that information, but the smog check station remained unmoved.
The BAR told me it's their prerogative, but that I could get tested at a California Smog Referee, by calling 800-622-7733, for just the $8.75 price of the certificate, but, I'm late and they don't have appointments for weeks, but I set an appointment anyway.
Meanwhile, I printed out what I thought was the drive cycle (also known as the EPA federal test procedure, or FTP), and repeatedly tried section 5 and 6 below, by setting my phone timer to 3 minutes, and then first driving in 3rd gear, always keeping the tach above 3000 RPM, without decelerating for more than 3 seconds. Then, after doing #5, I subsequently ran #6, keeping the tach between 2100 RPM and 2300 RPM with the air conditioning switch turned on, again for 3 minutes, to complete test #6. But all this was to no avail.
So, I'll download and read the TSB kindly supplied by TheDurk in order to find where my 2wd 1997 5-speed Toyota 4Runner (150K miles, original cat and o2 sensors) tests are that are supposed to set the readiness monitor for the catalytic converter.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is On
|
|
|
|