how many catalytic converters are on a 2005 acura rl

How do you confirm that the converters are actually bad? My check emission lights has been off and on for the past three years. When it first came on I was told from the dealer I needed a converter replaced. They sold me the part that I needed and had someone else put it on. My check emission light came back on a few months later and I went back to the dealer and they said it's probably because they didn't put the part on. And they said there was nothing they can do for me. Because the car was running fine and because the check emission light only come on once in awhile I egnored it... However it is on all the time now and has been for several months. So I took it in and they said I need Bank 1 and bank 2 converter replace now. They did tell me the other one in the back is new. How do I know they are diagnosing it correctly this time and that I do need the other 2 converters replaced now?

Hello, I understand this is all confusing and hard to navigate. A lot of it has to do, honestly, with the fact that you don't seem to have a good solid trusting relationship with a technician that you can count on. It is possible at some point that only the one converter was bad, the one that was replaced. The point I would make, though, is that converters typically do not just go bad -- usually it is a result of engine performance issues that cause the catalytic converters to overheat and become internally damaged and ultimately ineffective. Diagnostic trouble codes alone (typically P0420 and P0430 for bank one and bank two) do not indicate failed components. What should be done is testing of the sensors before and after each converter to determine if the converters are actually not functioning as they should be. If live data analysis verifies they are not working, you are left with no choice but to replace them to repair the vehicle. It is too difficult to know what happened a few years ago, and it is doubtful that anything was done in error or that could have caused further issues. At this point, you have to just kind of face the concerns as they are in front of you. Ignoring the emissions warning light is never a good idea -- this can also contribute to other concerns! As a side night, ensure you have performed your engine's valve adjustment historically as needed, and that spark plugs have also been replaced. A properly performing engine can help prevent other issues, such as failed catalytic converters.

Typically the dealer will issue a printout with the diagnostic testing procedures used and the results of those test that led them to their conclusions - the information contained within that printout would be the only thing anyone has to go on here. Do you have such paperwork? I can post the normal testing procedures to determine IF the catalytic converters themselves are no longer functioning as required - however that isn’t going to be beneficial as it must be performed by a qualified technician with the proper diagnostic equipment and the knowledge to do the required testing and accurately decipher the results. Sorry for the late reply - I wasn’t aware of your response previously.