Engine Controls - MIL ON/DTC P0420 Stored
24 08 602013801/2
November 19, 2008. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 24 number 06-06 dated December 19, 2006 for reasons listed below.
Vehicle Information
01 MIL on due to catalyst inefficiency (DTC P0420)
Condition
MIL illumination due to catalyst efficiency fault DTC P0420 (Catalyst System, Bank1 Efficiency Below Threshold) present in system.
Technical Background
DTC P0420 may set when catalyst efficiency is actually in an acceptable range due to incorrect diagnostic calibration values in the engine control module software. To correct this condition the Engine Control Module must be updated.
NOTE:
Any Update Programming procedure (flash) may overwrite any tuned ECM or TCM programming. A tuned ECM or TCM is described as any ECM or TCM altered so as to perform outside the normal parameters and specifications approved by Audi of America, Inc.
Current Tuned ECM or TCM requirements
If you encounter a vehicle with a tuned ECM or TCM, your dealership must do the following before performing any procedure that updates ECM or TCM programming:
- Notify the owner that their ECM or TCM was found to have been tuned
- Notify the owner any damage caused by the tuning of the ECM or TCM (including any adverse emissions consequences) will not be covered by Audi of America, Inc. warranties.
- Obtain the owner's written consent (see Control Module Tuning form) for any requested repair - whether under warranty or outside warranty that requires flashing, which will automatically overwrite the tuned program.
Production Solution
For MY 2003 and later, the software values for catalyst efficiency have been corrected to prevent this condition.
Service
Vehicles with engine control module (J220) SW Part Number 8E0 909 518 F or 8E0 909 518 G must be updated to SW Part Number 8E0 909 518 F or 8E0 909 518 G SW Level 0005 or higher.
- Ensure the Control Module Tuning form has been filled out by the owner.
- Update the Engine Control Module (J220), address word 01, via SVM using SVM Action Code: NA8E24JV01.
Tip:
The SVM Process must be completed in its entirety so the database receives the update confirmation response. A warranty claim may not be reimbursed if there is no confirmation response to support the claim.
- For further SVM update instructions and troubleshooting, please refer to the SVM Operating Manual; ElsaWeb TSB 2011732
Warranty
Additional Information
The following Technical Service Bulletin will be necessary to complete this procedure:
- 2011732; Software Version Management (SVM) Operating Manual
All parts and service references provided in this TSB are subject to change and/or removal. Always check with your Parts Dept. and service manuals for the latest information.