p0420 code again

3

3bears

Senior Member
2001 4runner....p0420 I did do a google search, maybe did it wrong.
have check engine light since I bought it.( 7 months now) and of course when it is on so is the VSC and Trac lights, sunday put in a new Denso 02 rear on, light stayed off for about 15 miniutes
so maybe I need a cat...which wont be soon.

however:
1) I have read about spaceing the 02 sensor out to get it out of the exhaust stream and thus turn the light off.....
2)My "drive" light on the dashboard is out...and someplace in the back of my mind I thought I read that this too can trigger the check engine light....which triggers the VSC lights to get your attention.


Can anyone point me to either of those threads ?

oh and if yoru ambitions...point me to the removeal of lower cam bolt removal for the front end, mine are frozen and need to be cut out and the shop I went to yesterday does not do that kind of stuff....cut out parts

thanks
 
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"Drive" light, like when you're in D gear? Mine's never worked, and it doesn't
trigger P0420s. What apparently does (twice), at least on mine, is driving
around basically at an idle (it's all around town miles lately). When I turn off
overdrive and clear the code, the CEL doesn't come back.
 
I updated my P0420 experience and have not had the CEL return. A simple exhaust leak due to a loose clamp. My 'D' selector bulb has been out since I bought the rig and is still out. I assumed this was just because it's the bulb that has seen the most use for 20 years - being in Drive most of the time.
 
Exhaust leaks and antifreeze cause most 420 codes.

Driving with a missfire and ruff running engine will overheat the Cat and melt the honeycomb.


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3bears said:
2001 4runner....p0420 I did do a google search, maybe did it wrong.
have check engine light since I bought it.( 7 months now) and of course when it is on so is the VSC and Trac lights, sunday put in a new Denso 02 rear on, light stayed off for about 15 miniutes
so maybe I need a cat...which wont be soon.

however:
1) I have read about spaceing the 02 sensor out to get it out of the exhaust stream and thus turn the light off.....
2)My "drive" light on the dashboard is out...and someplace in the back of my mind I thought I read that this too can trigger the check engine light....which triggers the VSC lights to get your attention.


Can anyone point me to either of those threads ?

oh and if yoru ambitions...point me to the removeal of lower cam bolt removal for the front end, mine are frozen and need to be cut out and the shop I went to yesterday does not do that kind of stuff....cut out parts

thanks
Click to expand...
Lower control arm removal issues

Yeah you can use a spark plug arrestor tô get the o2 sensor out of the stream or you can also get the underdog urd o2 simulator and eliminate the code. Might be an issue required to pass emmisions.
P0420 could be frustrating diagnosis.
Cats would go bad if driven with misfire and overheat damaging the honey combs inside.
 
thanks guys
its prob a bad cat and I really dont want to replace right now. And actually with no insections up here...I would prob just put in a straight pipe. It does not seem to effect driving or running at all.now that winter is past and long warm ups etc are over im getting over 16mpg...thats why I thought of just getting the 02 out of the stream so the stinking lights would quit.

so is it the same thread as a spark plug for a plug extension ?

anybody got a link to doing that?
 
Last edited:
spartacus said:
Lower control arm removal issues

Yeah you can use a spark plug arrestor tô get the o2 sensor out of the stream or you can also get the underdog urd o2 simulator and eliminate the code. Might be an issue required to pass emmisions.
P0420 could be frustrating diagnosis.
Cats would go bad if driven with misfire and overheat damaging the honey combs inside.
Click to expand...


thanks for the link to timmy....but his came out easy...mine are frozen
 
Last edited:
3bears said:
2)My "drive" light on the dashboard is out...and someplace in the back of my mind I thought I read that this too can trigger the check engine light....which triggers the VSC lights to get your attention.


Can anyone point me to either of those threads ?

thanks
Click to expand...

In my experience, having a light out in the dash can trigger the VSC/TRAC lights WITHOUT a check engine light. For me it was the D and P light on the dash. I actually used this as a VSC TRAC disable for a while before I could figure out my issue with the TRAC system.
 
Last edited:
spartacus said:
Lower control arm removal issues

Yeah you can use a spark plug arrestor tô get the o2 sensor out of the stream or you can also get the underdog urd o2 simulator and eliminate the code. Might be an issue required to pass emmisions.
P0420 could be frustrating diagnosis.
Cats would go bad if driven with misfire and overheat damaging the honey combs inside.
Click to expand...


thanks again
i have not had a chance to road test tonight, but for those thinking of this option for the 420 code...
note this is for the rear sensor...
spark plug non-fouler ...doorman 42009 for 18mm ( got at autozone, orielleys listed the also, as well as amazon...not at napa)
5/8 drill bit ( had one, 1/2 is a touch too small)
the "sensor part of the 02 sensor will not fit in without drilling out the non-fouler. Since it came as a 2 pack, I drilled one, threaded it into the other so now my 02 sensor is actually 2 spacers away. crossing my fingers this shuts off the light

update : that worked...drove for an hour and no lights came on. In the past it was like 5 minutes.....thanks
 
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Where I'm at, that spacer, urd, and ghetto resistor/capacitor add on would probably pass here too.
But if the inspector does a visual in that area and sees the jigs it would be an automatic no pass.
I seen a thread somewhere where the guy cut and shaved cat material, and he made it to slipped over the o2 probe, surrounding the sensor. From above it looks normal. Slick.
I miss cities with lax emissions such as Alaska.
 
I heard the newer models (not sure 01 is included) the manufactures are required to update the software to once in a while rich the engine and see the corresponding change is detected at the O2 sensor. The manufacturers know many are adding the spacer to go around the P0420 so here is the new update.

Eastern Catalytics make good converters too. I bought one for my 2000 LC and works great. 5 year 50K mile warranty included too.
 
nissanh said:
I heard the newer models (not sure 01 is included) the manufactures are required to update the software to once in a while rich the engine and see the corresponding change is detected at the O2 sensor. The manufacturers know many are adding the spacer to go around the P0420 so here is the new update.

Eastern Catalytics make good converters too. I bought one for my 2000 LC and works great. 5 year 50K mile warranty included too.
Click to expand...

hope mine does not....guess I will find out. Have about 2 hours on it now, about 1 hour freeway and one in running around town with constant shut offs/restarts and idling
 
HiLife said:
Where I'm at, that spacer, urd, and ghetto resistor/capacitor add on would probably pass here too.
But if the inspector does a visual in that area and sees the jigs it would be an automatic no pass.
I seen a thread somewhere where the guy cut and shaved cat material, and he made it to slipped over the o2 probe, surrounding the sensor. From above it looks normal. Slick.
I miss cities with lax emissions such as Alaska.
Click to expand...


yep no ispections here, I was just sick of looking at the dash light
 
well,, 200 miles and several days and the light is back. so prob a pluged converter. someone said pack the adapter I put in with steel wool. might try that , otherwise guess live with it. not going to by a cat where inspections are not required. runs good, gets 16+mpg this time of year
 
well,, 200 miles and several days and the light is back. so prob a pluged converter. someone said pack the adapter I put in with steel wool. might try that , otherwise guess live with it. not going to by a cat where inspections are not required. runs good, gets 16+mpg this time of year
 
Do you need to add antifreeze to your overflow tank on occasion?

Do you have any exhaust leak?


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19963.4lsr5 said:
Do you need to add antifreeze to your overflow tank on occasion?

Do you have any exhaust leak?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

this is on my 2001

hard to say on both....it has an exhaust leak but its after the muffler.
not adding antifreeze very much. maybe a few sips in 500 miles, but ive had a freeze plug block heater that was seeping ( fixed the other day). I hope its not a headgasket issue. The light has been on ever sice I have owned it, and the lady I bought it from said it had been on for a while., Does not overheat, passed a leak down and the dye test on radiator that checks for exhaust gas in cooling.
 
Had the same issue. Owner before me had the same thig replaced the O2 sensors. I did it about a year later and it just seemed to be a temporary fix of 3-4 months. After consulting with a local 4Runner mechanic and the internet I finally opted to replace the cat convertor. Since doing that over 2 years ago I've had no issues with the code at all.

Forgot to say - the mechanic was able to pin point it being the cat convertor and not a sensor based on testing it. He would measure before and after the cat to see what levels were at. Since they were the same before and after he could deem the cat done for.
 
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