Q&A

Dandd - Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure about the code-It's my sons truck (but my $$). They put in a sensor, told him do drive about 50 miles for the thing to reset. Light came back on, so they tried putting in the one they took out back and replacing the untouched one with the new one. Lite back on. Now they say they must both be bad.

Dandd - If you're still out there...The code is p420. A third mechanic has said that he has to take it to Toyota, because they are the only ones who can get a main catalytic converter for a CA truck ($1,099 just for the part). I wish I had scrapped this thing in the cash for clunkers program. The repair is going to be almost as much as it's worth.

you shouldn't have to pay for anything those "mechanics" have done to the truck thus far because they did not fix the problem. The third guy sounds like he knows whats going on.

The check engine light of my 1996 Mazda 626 has been on continuously for about two weeks. Two independent mechanics here in Illinois, where I now live, did the computer analysis and determined I needed a new catalytic converter. Car has 84K miles on it.

The car is originally from California. I just read your answer to a related question from August 2009, in which I think you say I need to replace the catalytic converter with a "California cat" or the light will come back on. Would you please explain how I should take care of this? I will be in California soon. Should I pick up a catalytic converter while I'm there, or what? Thanks!

A P0420 is a classic CAT converter code, it is NOT an Oxygen sensor code, many shops do not get this right. Unless you do Emissions analysis on an everyday basis, which I do, many shops will miss this code. Your truck needs a new CAT and the only one to use is a factory unit, and it may need a software update as well, which is not expensive, but you need a really good computer to do the update.

I'm having my '04 Tacaoma, 2.7L, california cat replaced right now by an exhaust shop in Shillington, PA after I got the PO420 code. . Only $500 for the double cat. Don't forget, if your vehicle is under 80k miles its covered under warrenty. Of course mine failed at 82k miles.

You HAVE to use a Toyota CAT or the light will come back on, after market CAT Converters will not work, I have tried using them in CA and they don't have the internal components that a factory CAT does.

dandd

This is good information Dandd. Do you know where to get them at a good price?
Or what kind of price should one expect to pay to replace them both.

There is no 'deal' for Catalytic Converters that really do the job, because the Converter internals have rare meals on them like Platinum, Palladium, Rhodium and Cerium. None of these metals go on sale, unfortunately. The best CAT Converters are from the Dealership, but they are $$ NAPA Auto Parts now have California Legal Cats, but the list price is still pretty close to a factory Cat, but maybe you can get a better deal on them because I KNOW what the wholesale cost is and it is about 1/2 of the dealership price. Hope that this helps.

dandd

Yep cat converter. I also had a similar issue with my 97 f150 and got the runaround.Finally wrote to Attorney General and got Ford to cut me a check for brand new cat conv since my vehicle was under 80 k and less than 10yrs old. DO NOT USE AFTERMARKET ,youre taking a huge chance.

Good job sticking up for your self. Most Cats are covered for 8 years and 80k, I don't why Ford gave you the run around in the first place, maybe a shady dealership ( not the first time ).

dandd

if you have a california car but are registering it sopmewhere else can you put an ordinary cat in if the computer is adjusted?