P0420
DTC P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)DTC P0430 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2)
MONITOR DESCRIPTION
DTC Detection Condition:
Monitor Strategy:
Typical Enabling Conditions:
Typical Malfunction Thresholds:
The ECM uses the sensors mounted in front of and behind the three-way catalyst (TWC) to monitor its efficiency. The first sensor, an Air Fuel ratio (A/F) sensor, sends pre-catalyst A/F ratio information to the ECM. The second sensor, a heated oxygen sensor (O2S), sends post-catalyst information to the ECM. The ECM compares these 2 signals to judge the efficiency of the catalyst and the catalyst's ability to store oxygen. During normal operation, the TWC stores and releases oxygen as needed. The capacity to store oxygen results in a low variation in the post-TWC exhaust stream.
If the catalyst is functioning normally, the waveform of the heated oxygen sensor slowly switches between RICH and LEAN. If the catalyst is deteriorated, the waveform will alternate frequently between RICH and LEAN. As the catalyst efficiency degrades, its ability to store oxygen is reduced and the catalyst output becomes more variable. When running the monitor, the ECM compares sensor 1 signals (A/F sensor) over a specific amount of time to determine catalyst efficiency. The ECM begins by calculating the signal length for both sensors (for the rear oxygen sensor, the ECM uses the output voltage signal length). If the oxygen sensor output voltage signal length is greater than the threshold (threshold is calculated based on the A/F sensor signal length), the ECM concludes that the catalyst is malfunctioning. The ECM will turn on the MIL and a DTC will be set.
HINT:
- Bank 1 refers to the bank that includes cylinder No. 1.
- Bank 2 refers to the bank that does not include cylinder No. 1.
- Sensor 1 refers to the sensor closest to the engine assembly.
- Sensor 2 refers to the sensor farthest away from the engine assembly.
MONITOR RESULT
Refer to CHECKING MONITOR STATUS. Checking Monitor Status
CONDITIONING FOR SENSOR TESTING
HINT: Perform the operation with the engine speeds and time durations described prior to checking the waveforms of the A/F and HO2 sensors. This is in order to activate the sensors sufficiently to obtain the appropriate inspection results.
1. Connect the intelligent tester to the DLC3 (Procedure "A").
2. Start the engine and warm it up with all the accessories switched OFF, until the engine coolant temperature stabilizes (Procedure "B").
3. Run the engine at engine speed of between 2,500 rpm and 3,000 rpm for at least 3 minutes (Procedure "C").
4. While running the engine at 3,000 rpm for 2 seconds and 2,000 rpm for 2 seconds, check the waveforms of the A/F and HO2 sensors using the tester or scan tool (Procedure "D").
NOTE: The Air-Fuel Ratio (A/F) sensor has an output delay of a few seconds and the Heated Oxygen (HO2. sensor has a maximum output delay of approximately 20 seconds.
- Following the A/F CONTROL procedure enables technicians to check and graph the output voltages of both the A/F and HO2 sensors.
- To display the graph, enter the following menus on the tester: DIAGNOSIS / ENHANCED OBD II / ACTIVE TEST / A/F CONTROL / USER DATA / AFS B1S1 and O2S B1S2 or AFS B2S1 and O2S B2S2, and press the YES button and then the ENTER button followed by the F4 button.
Step 1:
Step 1(continued)-2:
Step 2(continued)-3:
INSPECTION PROCEDURE
HINT: Read freeze frame data using the intelligent tester. The ECM records vehicle and driving condition information as freeze frame data the moment a DTC is stored. When troubleshooting, freeze frame data can be helpful in determining whether the vehicle was running or stopped, whether the engine was warmed up or not, whether the air-fuel ratio was lean or rich, as well as other data recorded at the time of a malfunction.