P0420
DTC P0420 CATALYST SYSTEM EFFICIENCY BELOW THRESHOLD (BANK 1)MONITOR DESCRIPTION
DTC Detection Conditions:
Monitor Strategy:
Typical Enabling Conditions:
Typical Malfunction Thresholds:
Monitor Result:
The ECM uses sensors mounted before and after 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 oxygens 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.
WAVEFORMS OF AIR-FUEL RATIO (A/F) AND HEATED OXYGEN (HO2) SENSORS
HINT: Perform the operation with the engine speeds and durations described below 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.
a. Connect the hand-held tester to the DLC3.
b. Start the engine and warm it up with all the accessories switched off, until the engine coolant temperature stabilizes.
c. Run the engine at an engine speed of between 2,500 rpm and 3,000 rpm for at least 3 minutes.
d. 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.
HINT:
- If either of the voltage outputs of the Air-Fuel Ratio (A/F) or Heated Oxygen (HO2) sensor does not fluctuate, or either of the sensors makes a noise, the sensor may be malfunctioning.
- If the voltage outputs of both the sensors remain lean or rich, the air-fuel ratio may be extremely lean or rich. In such cases, perform the following A/F CONTROL using the hand-held tester.
- If the Three-Way Catalytic Converter (TWC) has deteriorated, the HO2 sensor (located behind the TWC) voltage output fluctuates up and down frequently, even under normal driving conditions (active air-fuel ratio control is not performed).
A/F CONTROL
HINT:
Hand-held tester only:
Malfunctioning areas can be identified by performing the A/F CONTROL function provided in the ACTIVE TEST. The A/F CONTROL function can help to determine whether the Air-Fuel Ratio (A/F) sensor, Heated Oxygen (HO2) sensor and other potential trouble areas are malfunctioning.
The following instructions describe how to conduct the A/F CONTROL operation using a hand-held tester.
1. Connect the hand-held tester to the DLC3.
2. Start the engine and turn the tester on.
3. Warm up the engine at an engine speed of 2,500 rpm for approximately 90 seconds.
4. On the tester, select the following menu items: DIAGNOSIS / ENHANCED OBD II / ACTIVE TEST / A/F CONTROL.
5. Perform the A/F CONTROL operation with the engine in an idling condition (press the RIGHT or LEFT button to change the fuel injection volume).
6. Monitor the voltage outputs of the A/F and HO2 sensors (AFS B1S1 and O2S B1S2 or AFS B2S1 and O2S B2S2) displayed on the tester.
HINT:
- The A/F CONTROL operation lowers the fuel injection volume by 12.5 % or increases the injection volume by 25 %.
- Each sensor reacts in accordance with increases and decreases in the fuel injection volume.
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 the graph of the voltage outputs of both the A/F and HO2 sensors.
- To display the graph, select the following menu items 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. Press the YES button and then the ENTER button. Then press the F4 button.
Step 1 - 2:
Step 2 (Continued) - 3:
INSPECTION PROCEDURE
HINT: Read freeze frame data using the hand-held tester. Freeze frame data records the engine condition when malfunctions are detected. When troubleshooting, freeze frame data can help determine if the vehicle was moving or stationary, if the engine was warmed up or not, if the air-fuel ratio was lean or rich, and other data, from the time the malfunction occurred.
NOTE: On the damaged bank, replace both the front catalyst and rear catalyst.
HINT:
Hand-held tester only:
- The ACTIVE TEST A/F CONTROL procedure enables the technician to identify a trouble area if malfunction in A/F sensors, front or rear heated oxygen sensors other than the catalyst converter, or the malfunction that indicates the actual air-fuel ratio extremely RICH or LEAN.
- It is possible to locate the problem area by performing ACTIVE TEST A/F CONTROL (heated oxygen sensor or other trouble areas can be distinguished).
a. Perform ACTIVE TEST A/F CONTROL operation.
HINT: The A/F CONTROL operation lowers the injection volume 12.5% or increases the injection volume 25%.
1. Connect the hand-held tester to the DLC3 on the vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition switch on (IG).
3. Warm up the engine by running the engine at 2,500 rpm for approximately 90 seconds.
4. Select the item: DIAGNOSIS / ENHANCED OBD II / ACTIVE TEST / A/F CONTROL.
5. Perform the A/F CONTROL operation with the engine in an idle condition (press the right or left button).
RESULT:
A/F sensor reacts in accordance with increase and decrease of injection volume:
+25 % -> RICH output: Less than 3.0 V
-12.5 % -> LEAN output: More than 3.35 V
Heated oxygen sensor reacts in accordance with increase and decrease of injection volume:
+25 % -> RICH output: More than 0.55 V
-12.5 % -> LEAN output: Less than 0.4 V
NOTE: The A/F sensor output has a few seconds of delay and the heated oxygen sensor output has about 20 seconds of delay at maximum.
The following of A/F CONTROL procedure enables the technician to check and graph the voltage outputs of both the heated oxygen sensors.
To display the graph, enter ACTIVE TEST / A/F CONTROL / USER DATA, then select "AFS B1S1 and O2S B1S2" or "AFS B2S1 and O2S B2S2" by pressing the "YES" button followed by the "ENTER" button and then the "F4" button.