2015 Soul, 1.6 L, V4 - 93,000 + mi
Code P0420 Catalyst operating below minimum threshold.
P0420 is an all around code dealing with emmisions.
To learn more about this code, view YouTube videos of scannerdanner
or any other videos explaining about 02 sensors, fuel trims, catalytic converter, etc.
I bought a $25 scan tool, which plugs into the obd II port and operates via Bluetooth to my Android phone. The device is a BAFX and uses the torque pro app, which there is a free version and a paid version $5. I bought the paid version. So $30 and I was set up to view some good data.
A video on YouTube I had watched was where a guy sprayed in sea foam at the hole (bung) of the upstream sensor. This allowed the sea foam to bypass the combustion and directly administer the sea foam at the honeycomb screen of the catalytic converter; breaking up carbon buildup. I won't go into details but here is the link:
I tried his method before watching other videos on the code. I then had the code cleared and drove around a week and a half doing Uber. After an oil change, I drove for about an hour and the P0420 appeared again. But I must say, I would've passed emmisions the first time I did it.
I did another treatment and drove for about 3 days. The light came on again. Car is parked right now until I do some more research before taking it to the dealer. It could be any of these symptoms:
So with all this stated. Don't be concerned about trying to find the problem, although that is what we're trying to pinpoint, but find out how the parts should operate in accordance with specifications (i.e. your reading an 02 sensor that is at 2.5v but your specifications state it suppose to be at 7V). Research good first before making that final decision to replace parts.
I'm not condemning the Catalytic converter just yet because it can be something as simple as the defective gas cap, etc.
Code P0420 Catalyst operating below minimum threshold.
P0420 is an all around code dealing with emmisions.
To learn more about this code, view YouTube videos of scannerdanner
or any other videos explaining about 02 sensors, fuel trims, catalytic converter, etc.
I bought a $25 scan tool, which plugs into the obd II port and operates via Bluetooth to my Android phone. The device is a BAFX and uses the torque pro app, which there is a free version and a paid version $5. I bought the paid version. So $30 and I was set up to view some good data.
A video on YouTube I had watched was where a guy sprayed in sea foam at the hole (bung) of the upstream sensor. This allowed the sea foam to bypass the combustion and directly administer the sea foam at the honeycomb screen of the catalytic converter; breaking up carbon buildup. I won't go into details but here is the link:
I tried his method before watching other videos on the code. I then had the code cleared and drove around a week and a half doing Uber. After an oil change, I drove for about an hour and the P0420 appeared again. But I must say, I would've passed emmisions the first time I did it.
I did another treatment and drove for about 3 days. The light came on again. Car is parked right now until I do some more research before taking it to the dealer. It could be any of these symptoms:
- Catalytic converter
- 02 sensors (but both are operating according to my fuel trim data)
- Exhaust leak because it is running lean
- Or anything that affects fuel/air mixture
- Even a bad gas cap (mine doesn't work like it should - no clicks when tightening)
So with all this stated. Don't be concerned about trying to find the problem, although that is what we're trying to pinpoint, but find out how the parts should operate in accordance with specifications (i.e. your reading an 02 sensor that is at 2.5v but your specifications state it suppose to be at 7V). Research good first before making that final decision to replace parts.
I'm not condemning the Catalytic converter just yet because it can be something as simple as the defective gas cap, etc.
