I went to autozone and got my codes pulled sinced my ses light came on. The code is p0420. I looked at the TSB tread and didnt understand what it says. How much will this cost to fix? A little worried since my car is acting funny...

 

Unless you get an answer here pretty quickly, why not just call a service dept and ask them 'anonymously'?

 

I want to know anybody else has this problem. if they did, i would like to know the most cost-effective way of fixing this problem..

Somebody must also have had this problems.. right?

 

what's the code mean?

 

That's my point.

 

tell us what the code means, and we'll tell you how to fix it

sounds fair to me!!

 

Someone else had this same code a month or 2 ago. It's a bad o2 sensor on bank 1. It's covered under the emission warranty, I think that goes up to 100k.

 

Actually, only the cat and the control module are warrantied for 8/80K, all else falls under 3/36K for the federal emissions warranty.

 

Well then he need to get a new sensor either at an auto parts store or from DAVEB and install it himself or have it done.

Bank 1 is the rear/left side of the engine right?

 

00-070 AUG 00 Engine Control Module - MIL ON, DTC P0420 Set

This is what was posted in the TSB tread. I dont know what that means.... so that is why i asked...

But i now remember the autozone saying that it had to with o2 sensor and also the cat convertor on the driver's side. I am going to call the dealer and see it is under warranty since i have about 44k miles on my car...

 

I'm praying that's it's under warranty!!!!

 

P0420 = Right bank 2 way catalyst function... I think you may need an ECU reprogram, or a new cat... both should be covered under warranty.

 

I was wondering the same thing. My ses light came on a while back and i got it checked and was told my rear passenger side o2 sensor needs replacing. Until how many miles is this covered by the warranty? I'm at about 60k.

 

The 2002 FSM reads:
SEF484YD
On Board Diagnosis Logic
NFEC1443
The ECM monitors the switching frequency ratio of heated oxygen
sensors 1 and 2.
A three way catalyst (manifold) with high oxygen storage capacity
will indicate a low switching frequency of heated oxygen sensor 2.
As oxygen storage capacity decreases, the heated oxygen sensor
2 switching frequency will increase.
When the frequency ratio of heated oxygen sensors 1 and 2
approaches a specified limit value, the warm-up three way catalyst
malfunction is diagnosed.
DTC No.
Trouble diagnosis
name
DTC Detecting Condition Possible Cause
P0420
0420
(Bank 1)
P0430
0430
(Bank 2)
Catalyst system efficiency
below threshold
Three way catalyst (manifold) does not operate
properly, three way catalyst (manifold) does not
have enough oxygen storage capacity.
I Warm-up three way catalyst
I Exhaust tube
I Intake air leaks
I Injectors
I Injector leaks
I Spark plug
I Improper ignition timing
SEC138D
SEC139D
SEF560X
DTC Confirmation Procedure
NFEC0952
NOTE:
If “DTC Confirmation Procedure” has been previously conducted,
always turn ignition switch “OFF” and wait at least 10 seconds
before conducting the next test.
WITH CONSULT-II
NFEC0952S01
TESTING CONDITION:
I Open engine hood before conducting the following procedure.
I Do not hold engine speed for more than the specified
minutes below.
1) Start engine and warm it up to the normal operating temperature.
2) Turn ignition switch “OFF” and wait at least 10 seconds.
3) Start engine and keep the engine speed between 3,500 and
4,000 rpm for at least one minute under no load.
4) Let engine idle for one minute.
5) Open engine hood.
6) Select “DTC & SRT CONFIRMATION” then “SRT WORK SUPPORT”
mode with CONSULT-II.
7) Rev engine up to 2,000 to 3,000 rpm and hold it for 3 consecutive
minutes then release the accelerator pedal completely. If
“INCMP” of “CATALYST” changed to “COMPLT”, go to step 10.
8) Wait 5 seconds at idle.
9) Rev engine up to 2,000 to 3,000 rpm and maintain it until
“INCMP” of “CATALYST” changes to “CMPLT” (It will take
approximately 5 minutes). If not “CMPLT”, perform the following.
a) Turn ignition switch “OFF” and leave the vehicle in a cool place
(soak the vehicle).
b) Turn ignition switch “ON” and select “COOLAN TEMP/S” in
“DATA MONITOR” mode with CONSULT-II.
c) Start engine and warm it up while monitoring “COOLAN
DTC P0420, P0430 THREE WAY CATALYST FUNCTION
On Board Diagnosis Logic
EC-346

I don't think they would have changed the codes form the different model years.

If it's not under warranty they can at least quote you a price.

 

Hey! I just had the same problem fixed about 3 months ago. Mine is a 2k-max(auto. Replacing the back side O2-sensor. never have anymore problem. But they don't come cheap, hah, hah! Oh, by the way, you don't need to reprogram your ECU.
Don't listen to some of these guys, claiming to be a "Max-Techno". I'm just a newbie myself, too. But 15 years of nissan experience. Master Tech Don't listen but do laugh a lot!laugh:

 

Straight from TSB 00070:

NTB00070
If an applied 2000-2001 Maxima has a MIL "ON" with DTC P0420 (Three Way Catalyst Function) stored in the ECM, it may be the result of an internal ECM Program Misdiagnosis. The catalyst should not be replaced. This bulletin provides updated ECM data toreprogram the vehicle's ECM to correct the condition. This bulletin replaces NTB00-070 which should be discarded. The ECM reprogram contained in this bulletin is different than the reprogram described in the earlier bulletin. In addition, it is notrequired to perform the P0420 DTC confirmation test after reprogramming has been removed. Use the diagnosis/repair flow chart on page 2 and the appropriate Service Procedure steps provided in this bulletin to diagnose and repair this incident, if it should occur, regardless of whether or not the vehicle was previously repaired in accordance with the earlier bulletin. See this bulletin for detail.

 

lets see...

disagreeing with a TSB? Check!
Laugh at people trying to get help? Check!

yep, you must be a Nissan tech...

 

Guys thx again for all your replies..im gonna call the dealer and hopefully get it fixed soon.

 

I just called the dealer and they said that it's under the 3yr/36k mile warranty.. that means im not covered.......!!! just great!

 

emissions related equipment is covered even past the 5 yr/60k mile warranty.

 

Uh, nope. Just the cat and control unit. All else is 3/36K.

 

The dealer said 90% parts of the emmissions is not covered under the warranty anyways, just the cat and some other stuff.. So either way, i still have to shell out come money...

im gonna unplug my battery and see if the ses light comes back on.....

 

He is right. The parts and coverage are laid out on pages 6-8 of your warranty booklet (at least my 2k1 book).

 

he has a 2k1 so it is cali spec emissions... Check page 9 of your warranty booklet:

All emissions equipment is covered for 3 years/50k miles.
Long term emissions equipment (there is a list) is covered for 7 years/70k miles.
ECM and Cat are covered for 8 years/80k miles.

 

Read the fine print and footnote on page 9.

It says that the Cali spec coverage is for cars originally sold for registration in CA, MA, VT only.

I know it sucks, but that is the fine print.

 

ARFF

 

Still based on the FMS info he still needs to verify it's not a bad CAT. If he gets an o2 sensor and it's the CAT he's out the money for the sensor and the CAT still need to be replaced and it's covered. I know it's a long shot but...

 

I had the same code pulled at Autozone, they explained it to be the catalytic converter on bank one not warming up, anyway something to that effect. I took it to the dealer 30k miles, they reprogrammed the ecu and it is good now, it appears to be a little quicker too. 2001 maxima se.............

 

I disconnect my battery for a while and hooked it back and my SES light is gone.. but yet i still feel the car is a little sluggish. I reved my engined a couple of time to see if the light would come back on but it didnt....

I dont know if this is a good thing or a bad thing... I could be driving with a bad cat...

 

Well the SES light is back on again... i guess im out of luck and have to shell out mucho dinero..

 

If something is wrong then the light will come back on at some point.