Check engine light "P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold"
 

I just got a check engine light and I took it to autozone to get a free error code read. It came back P0420 "P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold." I'm pretty sure it's my O2 sensor went bad (and its not my catalic convertor) and I prob need to replace it. I know honda rapes you out the ass to replace that and it probably going to cost me almost $300 bucks to fix.

prob is, I really need to have my alignment fix because it been bad for more than 2000 miles. I was seeing if I will be ok with my O2 sensor until I get my next pay check to fix that. I know my mileage well go bad but i dont see any immediate problems to get it fix right away. My main conern now is getting my alignment fix because its ------- up my ride and i can't drive on the highway right now. I travel alot for work average about 300 miles a week and i dont have enough to pay for both right now. Will I be alright getting my O2 fix after 2 weeks? Any suggestions?

Re: Check engine light "P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold"
 

anybody?

Re: Check engine light "P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold"
 

u need a cat not an o2 sensor, what year and model car do u have?

Re: Check engine light "P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold"
 

so u have a million posts on a car forum yet u dont know anything about cars

something doesnt fit :6

Re: Check engine light "P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold"
 

so you think i need a cat instead. I was hoping to get around that because that would cost more than the O2 sensor.

wtf? I asked would waiting to get the cat or O2 sensor to get fix and worry about the alignment now would hurt my car. hows that show I have no idea about cars ass? ::)

Re: Check engine light "P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold"
 

i would get the alignment fixed because you know for sure that that is a problem esspecially if you cant drive on the highway and you travel alot for work.

my friend got a resonated cat and got a similar cel it was not a P code but it was like 68 or something and was catalyst system efficiency below threshold, or something very similar. He drove around like that for quite a while with no problems on 100K mile engine.

personally i would hold on the 02 sensor get ur alignment fixed, and in the mean time before your next paycheck look into seeing if its the cat or not because a new cat and a new 02 sensor are more expensive than just a cat or just an 02 sensor.

and for the guy talkin ---- they have a website for that i think its www.honda-tech.com

Re: Check engine light "P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold"
 

It does sound like you need a new cat. You should take that obd2 crap and send it out the window. Nothing like a good downgrade to obd1 to fix whatever smog problems ya have ;D

Re: Check engine light "P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold"
 

i am aussuming it is your second 02 sensor that you believe is bad, and for that I would get an 02 simulater I got one for like 20 bucks I never used it, i'll sell it or you can pry find one online real easy

Re: Check engine light "P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold"
 

indeed, sounds like the cat is bad. I'd recomend a OBD1 swap or a o2 simulator to get rid of your problem. Cat convertors suck ass.