Exhaust Sensor, Catalytic Converter fix it primer

[tenguns]

For the older forerunners, mine is a 2009, its challenging to wade through the posts about 02 sensor readings, bad catalytic converters, outrageous dealership replacement costs, misguidance on the fixes and make any sense of a path to diagnose and fix the system.

I'm trying to get smogged and my 2009 is in good shape - but the check engine light has come on and off many times. With 200k miles - and more to go, I need a fix and thought that there'd be a tutorial section on this, but nope! Surprising. I guess most of us dump our older models before we run into this situation.

I need to pass smog and will use aftermarket where ever I can. So, I'm guessing the process is to check the sensors first and cat converters last. (I have 4 cat converters). I'll check codes and will try change out sensors maybe and reset to see how far I can go. But who makes the best aftermarket Cat's? How about manifolds and sensors if I had to go that way? Has anyone run into this situation and written anything about it. Seems many of the posts indicate people struggling to find the best solution. Who's gone through this and can help on the process, the lowest $ and the best results?

 

[Terminator03]

For you personally, the biggest hurdle is that you live in CA. It is my understanding that you can’t simply order an aftermarket replacement CAT unless it’s CA approved, and even then, you can’t always even get companies to mail it to you, or sell it directly to you. The other fixes that a lot of guys are able to use in other parts of the country such as sensor spacers, which work in all but the worst cases, can’t be used there since they check for stuff like that (or so I’ve read). Hopefully other CA residents will chime in with tips/solutions specific to your state. Best of luck!

On a side note, I love Santa Barbara. What a beautiful place to live! Mountains and beaches, and near perfect weather. If it wasn’t for the cost of living, and extreme laws for the car hobby, it would definitely be on my short list of places to live. We have friends on Puesta Del Sol, so I’ve spent a ton of time in your town over the years.

 

[UrbanRunner651]

Have you been able to pull the codes to see what they are?

 

[rodsrunner]

From another post https://www.toyota-4runner.org/problems-and-warranty-issues/92619-10$-fix-failed-catalytic-converter.html
See post #3