DTC Troubleshooting: P0420
DTC P0420: Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold
NOTE:
Before you troubleshoot, record all freeze data and any on-board snapshot, and review the general troubleshooting information.
If some of the DTCs listed below are stored at the same time as DTC P0420, troubleshoot them first, then recheck for DTC P0420.
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P0137, P0138, P2270: Secondary HO2S (Sensor 2)
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P0141: Secondary HO2S (Sensor 2) heater
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P0300: Random misfire
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P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304: No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4 cylinder misfire detected

Poor quality fuel may cause this DTC.

DTC Description
Confirmed DTC
Pending DTC
Freeze Frame
P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold
     

1.
PGM-FI system check 1:

PGM-FI system check 1
?1.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II), or press the engine start/stop button to select the ON mode.

?2.


?3.
Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 3,000 rpm without load (A/T in P or N, M/T in neutral) until the radiator fan comes on, then let it idle.

?4.
Test-drive under these conditions:
Engine coolant temperature (ECT SENSOR 1) above 158 °F (70 °C)
A/T in D, M/T in 5th or 6th
Vehicle speed between 45?75 mph (70?120 km/h) for 5 minutes or more with cruise control set
Vehicle speed between 55?75 mph (90?120 km/h) for 10 seconds, then decelerate (with the throttle fully closed). Repeat this three or more times
Maintain the vehicle speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) for 4 minutes or more with cruise control set

Signal
Current conditions
Values
Unit
ECT SENSOR 1
   
VEHICLE SPEED
   

?5.
Monitor the OBD STATUS for DTC P0420 in the DTCs MENU with the HDS.
DTC Description
OBD STATUS
P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold
 

Does the HDS indicate FAILED?

     
YES
     
     
     
     
NO
     
     
     
If the HDS indicates EXECUTING, go to step 2. If the HDS indicates OUT OF CONDITION, meet the test condition and recheck. If the HDS indicates PASSED, intermittent failure the system is OK at this time.
2.
PGM-FI system check 2:

PGM-FI system check 2
?1.
Continue test-drive until a result comes on.

?2.
Monitor the OBD STATUS for DTC P0420 in the DTCs MENU with the HDS.
DTC Description
OBD STATUS
P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold
 

Does the HDS indicate FAILED?

     
YES
     
     
     
     
NO
     
     
     
If the HDS indicates PASSED, intermittent failure, the system is OK at this time. If the HDS indicates EXECUTING, keep driving until a result comes on. If the HDS indicates OUT OF CONDITION, meet the test condition and recheck.
Repair verification (OBD STATUS check):

?1.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II), or press the engine start/stop button to select the ON mode.

?2.


?3.

?4.
Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 3,000 rpm without load (A/T in P or N, M/T in neutral) until the radiator fan comes on, then let it idle.

?5.
Test-drive under these conditions:
Engine coolant temperature (ECT SENSOR 1) above 158 °F (70 °C)
A/T in D, M/T in 5th or 6th
Vehicle speed between 45?75 mph (70?120 km/h) for 5 minutes or more with cruise control set
Vehicle speed between 55?75 mph (90?120 km/h) for 10 seconds, then decelerate (with the throttle fully closed). Repeat this three or more times
Maintain the vehicle speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) for 4 minutes or more with cruise control set

Signal
Current conditions
Values
Unit
ECT SENSOR 1
   
VEHICLE SPEED
   

?6.
Monitor the OBD STATUS for DTC P0420 in the DTCs MENU with the HDS.
DTC Description
OBD STATUS
P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold
 


Does the HDS indicate PASSED, FAILED, EXECUTING, or OUT OF CONDITION?

     
PASSED
     
     
     
Troubleshooting is complete. If any other Pending or Confirmed DTCs were indicated, go to the indicated DTC's troubleshooting. ?
     
FAILED
     
     
     
Go to step 1 and recheck.
     
EXECUTING
     
     
     
Keep the test condition until a result comes on.
     
OUT OF CONDITION
     
     
     
Meet the test condition, and check the OBD STATUS again.