P0420
CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
To control emissions of Hydrocarbons (HC), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), a three-way catalytic converter is used. The catalyst within the converter promotes a chemical reaction which oxidizes the HC and CO present in the exhaust gas, converting them into harmless water vapor and carbon dioxide. The catalyst also reduces NOx, converting it to nitrogen. The PCM has the ability to monitor this process using the HO2S 1 and the HO2S 2 heated oxygen sensors. The HO2S 1 sensor produces an output signal which indicates the amount of oxygen present in the exhaust gas entering the three-way catalytic converter. The HO2S 2 sensor produces an output signal which indicates the oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst, this in turn indicates the catalysts ability to convert exhaust gases efficiently. If the catalyst is operating efficiently, the HO2S 1 signal will be far more active than that produced by the HO2S 2 sensor. If the PCM detects a level of HO2S 2 activity that indicates the catalyst is no longer operating efficiently, DTC P0420 will be set.
The PCM determines if the catalyst is ready for testing based on the following criteria:
^ Intake air temperature is above 0°C (32°F).
^ Engine Coolant Temperature is above 75°C (167°F).
^ Mass Air Flow is greater than 15 gm/s.
^ Engine load is below 63% and steady.
^ Engine speed is less than 3000 RPM.
Above conditions for about 3 minutes. This ensures that the catalyst is sufficiently warmed up for testing purposes. Once these conditions have been met, the PCM can begin collecting the catalyst diagnostic test samples.
CONDITIONS FOR SETTING THE DTC
^ No Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor, Throttle Position (TP) sensor, IC, EGR, injector circuit, misfire, MAP sensor, Evaporative Emission (EVAP), Crankshaft Position (CKP) sensor, HO2S, Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor, Fuel trim, Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor or Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) DTC(s) set.
^ Catalyst is ready for testing (refer to Circuit Description).
^ Vehicle speed between 40 and 75 mph.
^ The PCM determines that the catalysts oxygen storage capacity is below a threshold considered acceptable.
ACTION TAKEN WHEN THE DTC SETS
^ The PCM will illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) during the first trip in which the diagnostic test has been run and failed.
^ The PCM will store conditions which were present when the DTC set as Freeze Frame and Fail Records data.
CONDITIONS FOR CLEARING THE MIL/DTC
^ The PCM will turn the MIL OFF during the third consecutive trip in which the diagnostic has been run and passed.
^ The history DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles have occurred without a malfunction.
^ The DTC can be cleared by using the scan tool Clear Info function or by disconnecting the PCM battery feed.
DIAGNOSTIC AIDS
Check for the following conditions:
^ Poor connection at PCM. Inspect harness connectors for backed out terminals, improper mating, broken locks, improperly formed or damaged terminals, and poor terminal to wire connection.
^ Damaged harness. Inspect the wiring harness for damage. If the harness appears to be OK, observe the display on the scan tool while moving connectors and wiring harnesses related to the sensor. A change in the display will indicate the location of the fault.
Reviewing the Fail Records vehicle mileage since the diagnostic test last failed may help determine how often the condition that caused the DTC to be set occurs. This may assist in diagnosing the condition.
^ HO2S 1/ HO2S 2 Activity Test:
- Using a scan tool, monitor HO2S 1 and HO2S 2 displays in Park while using the scan tool Idle Air Control (IAC) RPM control function to maintain a mass air flow of 10 gm/s. Compare the amount of activity (frequency and amplitude) on HO2S 1 to the activity on HO2S 2 over a 30 second period.
- If the amount of activity on HO2S 2 is nearly as great as the activity on HO2S 1, a problem exists use the DTC P0420 diagnostic chart. If much less activity is noted on HO2S 2, the system is functioning properly.
The TWC Monitor Test Counter displayed on the scan tool may be used to monitor the progress of the TWC diagnostic. To complete the TWC diagnostic with a good catalyst, the counter must be allowed to increment to 49 samples and roll over to 0 at least twice. A failed catalyst will require three or more 50 sample tests to report a failure.
TEST DESCRIPTION
Number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the Diagnostic Table:
7. Difficulty completing the DTC P0420 test may be encountered in areas where test conditions cannot be maintained easily, especially in urban areas. To minimize the amount of driving required to complete the DTC P0420 test, use the following procedure:
^ Allow the engine to warm completely.
^ With the vehicle in Park, monitor Mass Air Flow on the scan tool and hold part throttle to maintain a reading of over 12 gm/s for at least 2 minutes. This will achieve the warm catalyst requirement for running the test.
^ Operate the vehicle in second or third gear to remain in the DTC P0420 test conditions described in Conditions for Setting DTC as much as possible.
^ If you must stop the vehicle, maintain the warm catalyst criteria as follows:
- Place the vehicle in Park or Neutral.
- Hold part throttle to maintain a mass air flow reading of over 15 gm/s for the duration of the stop.
^ The TWC Monitor Test Counter display on the scan tool may be used to monitor the progress of the TWC diagnostic. To complete the TWC diagnostic, the counter must be allowed to increment to 49 and roll over to 0 at least once. With a failed TWC, the counter may have to increment to 49 and roll over to 0 three times or more.