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Replacing Third Catalytic Convertor
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Steve B.
Anonymous Poster
steveb919@earthlink.net
Mar 16, 2009, 2:06 PM
Post #1 of 7
(1262 views)
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Replacing Third Catalytic Convertor
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I have a 1998 Toyota Avalon with 148,000 miles. About 2 months ago the check engine light came on and the diagnosis was a bad catalytic converter. I had a new one installed and all seemed OK for about 1000 miles. The check engine light came on and same diagnosis. The check engine light went off for about 100 miles then came on again. After going off/on for about 5 cycles it came on and stayed on. Put a new catalytic converter on. Again, all was well for about 1000 miles and the check engine light started cycling off/on. The diagnosis was bad catalytic converter. I find it hard to believe that 2 defective catalytic converters were installed. Any help appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve B.
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john b
User
Mar 16, 2009, 2:47 PM
Post #2 of 7
(1259 views)
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Re: Replacing Third Catalytic Convertor
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with 148,000 have you replaced both o2 sensores?
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Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran
/ Moderator
Mar 16, 2009, 4:07 PM
Post #3 of 7
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Re: Replacing Third Catalytic Convertor
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Steve; What symptoms/codes are you getting to come to the converter conclusion?
Loren
SW Washington
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
steveb919@earthlink.net
Mar 16, 2009, 8:29 PM
Post #4 of 7
(1251 views)
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Re: Replacing Third Catalytic Convertor
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I took the car to Autozone and they hooked up the computer to their diagnostic tool. The printout said catalytic converter needs replacement.
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
Mar 16, 2009, 9:20 PM
Post #5 of 7
(1249 views)
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Re: Replacing Third Catalytic Convertor
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I'm not knocking anyone but just to put things in perspective. AZ doesn't have diagnostic tools, they have code readers, there is a big difference..
There could be a couple of different things causing your problem. The 1st being aftermarket cats... some are notorious for setting cat efficiencey codes...IF the convertor is bad, it's best to go with OE...more $$$$ but less problems down the road.
One person mentioned O2s & that is also a possibility, usually you will also get O2 performance codes with the P0401 but not always....
There are a few more less likely scenairos I could go into but won't
Bottom line if you are going to keep trying it by yourself then at least try an OE cat. If not then you should take it to a shop that is tooled to properly diag the prob. Diagnosising by code pulling is always a gamble... You do get lucky some of the time & other times.....
Just a heads up for the future..... Cat codes & lean bank 1 lean bank 2 codes are probably the worst codes to guess the problem by just pulling the code. From what I've seen the percentage is high on guessing wrong......
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john b
User
Mar 17, 2009, 2:38 AM
Post #6 of 7
(1244 views)
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Re: Replacing Third Catalytic Convertor
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thats true oe catalytic converters are the way to go in fact on some cars you cant
use anything else because the factory one its just engineered for it like acuras
sad but very true
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Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran
/ Moderator
Mar 17, 2009, 9:20 AM
Post #7 of 7
(1238 views)
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Re: Replacing Third Catalytic Convertor
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I agree 100% with Guest's reply. (btw, there is no code that says the catalytic converter is bad). Low efficiency, yes.
Loren
SW Washington
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