O2 Sensor or CAT

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Aug 22, 2003 | 01:27 PM

2MuchMAX4U

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O2 Sensor or CAT

I have had the SES light on for about two weeks now and finally went to Autozone to have the code pulled...P0420

The scan tool said something like bank 1 of catalitic convertor, the guy said it was an O2 sensor. But when I did a search I came up with the possiblility of a bad CAT. Does Anyone know anything about this, the dealer is a last resort.

At first when the light came on the car was fine now it's a little sluggish!

Any comments are appriciated.

Robert

Aug 22, 2003 | 02:04 PM

[maxi-overdose]

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is your car a 2000 or 2k1? if so, hope this will help

Quote:

here are the details :
Classification: EC00-024 Reference: NTB00-070 Date: 8/31/00
Title: 2000-2001 Maxima MIL "ON" with DTC P0420 Stored - Three Way Catalyst Function

Applied Vehicles: 2000-2001 Maxima (A33) - Except 2000 Maximas with Federal Emissions Spec
Applied Vins: Vehicles built before: JN1CA31A*1T102405
JN1CA31A*1T301962
JN1CA31D*1T607073
JN1CA31D*1T804828
Applied Date: Vehicles built before : July 30,2000

Service Information:
If an applied 2000-2001 Maxima has a MIL "ON" w/ DTC P0420 (3 way catalyst function) stored in the ECM, there can be 2 causes:
- DTC may be the result of an internal ECM Program MisDiag, which may occur after 15,000 miles on the catalyst. If this is the cause, the catalyst should not be replaced. This bulletin provides updated ECM data to reporgram the vehicle's ECM to correct the condition.

-A damaged catalyst that is the result of engine misfire. A DTC confirmation procedure is provided in this bulletin to check for a damaged catalyst. If a damaged catalyst is confirmed, the catalyst must be replaced after ECM reprogramming.

this is a TSB. if your car is still under warranty, have the dealer take car of it.

Aug 22, 2003 | 05:21 PM

2MuchMAX4U

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I have a 2001 and this is what I saw which makes me think it might be the CAT. I have about 65K so no warrenty. So it's probably not an o2 sensor?

Aug 22, 2003 | 05:55 PM

maximlover

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Joined: May 2001

Posts: 21

i got the same code pulled from autozone. i had about 30K on the car. i went to the dealer and they said they had to charge me 80.00 to pull the code again bcs they said autozone software may be different...but would be no charge if it was something wrong under warranty. they told me nothing was wrong and reprogrammed the ECU and said this happened with other 2001's. no charge, problem fixed...hopefully

Aug 22, 2003 | 06:04 PM

doublea

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From: Montreal - Qc

Re: O2 Sensor or CAT

Quote:

Originally posted by 2MuchMAX4U
I have had the SES light on for about two weeks now and finally went to Autozone to have the code pulled...P0420

The scan tool said something like bank 1 of catalitic convertor, the guy said it was an O2 sensor. But when I did a search I came up with the possiblility of a bad CAT. Does Anyone know anything about this, the dealer is a last resort.

At first when the light came on the car was fine now it's a little sluggish!

Any comments are appriciated.

Robert

Hey MuchMAX4U, it sound like it might be one of the O2 sensor maybe the one in the pre cat, the PO420 code says Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold ( Bank 1 ) when ever the code refer to the main cat, the code refer you to the Main Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold. If it's an O2 sensor, you can buy those for cheap, I bought one 2 weeks ago for 57$ CDN about 35$US it only take about 20minutes to make the job, I used 7/8 alloy key.

If you do it yourself make shure your car is cold this way you wont burn your hand, if you need help or have question shoot me an e-mail.

Good luck.

Aa

Aug 24, 2003 | 04:45 AM

2MuchMAX4U

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Hey so you think it might be the 02 sensor on the y-pipe, cause I recently removed my y-pipe and installed the stock one back? Where can I get the best price for an 02 sensor?

Thanks everybody
Robert

Aug 24, 2003 | 06:03 PM

doublea

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Posts: 4,550

From: Montreal - Qc

Quote:

Originally posted by 2MuchMAX4U
Hey so you think it might be the 02 sensor on the y-pipe, cause I recently removed my y-pipe and installed the stock one back? Where can I get the best price for an 02 sensor?

Thanks everybody
Robert

Hey Robert, I bought mine at the Dealership, I dont think there is much to save, you should get it for 30-40$, there made by Bosch, if I'm not mistaken when you stand in front of your car, it should be the one located on the right side ( in the front of the engine ), or check the one that goes in the Pre-cat, I guess it depend if you Fed or CA emission, also you might want to give your dealer a call just to be shure they give you the right one. When I went to the dealer I talked to the service manager and he confirm wich one I needed based on my error code.

Good luck

AA

Aug 24, 2003 | 06:28 PM

binz

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Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 28

wow really? only $30-40?
the dealer told me o2 sensor is $178 a piece

anyone have any links to some cheaper 02 sensors?

btw, i and autozone read the code twice, first time it was 134 and 135. i had it reset and the second time it said 420 and 430.

thanks,

Aug 24, 2003 | 06:36 PM

doublea

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Posts: 4,550

From: Montreal - Qc

Quote:

Originally posted by binz
wow really? only $30-40?
the dealer told me o2 sensor is $178 a piece

anyone have any links to some cheaper 02 sensors?

btw, i and autozone read the code twice, first time it was 134 and 135. i had it reset and the second time it said 420 and 430.

thanks,

The code 134 and 135 refer to Bank 1 Sensor 1, unless this is a different sensor but the one that goes in the Y-Pipe cost me 57$. Send me your e-mail adress and I will send you a pics of the one I change.

Tomorrow I'm going to call my dealer and asked about how much it cost for the one you might need, 178$ sound a bit expensive.

You can reach me at andre@3diweb.com

Cheers

AA

AA

Aug 24, 2003 | 08:19 PM

#10

2MuchMAX4U

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Quote:

Originally posted by doublea

The code 134 and 135 refer to Bank 1 Sensor 1, unless this is a different sensor but the one that goes in the Y-Pipe cost me 57$. Send me your e-mail adress and I will send you a pics of the one I change.

Tomorrow I'm going to call my dealer and asked about how much it cost for the one you might need, 178$ sound a bit expensive.

You can reach me at andre@3diweb.com

Yeah I was thinking an o2 sensor went for like $150 a pop. But not 100%, if you could send me a pic that might help
Zeuz519@aol.com

Oh does 0420 code specifcally mean it's the 02 sensor on the y-pipe? I feel confident I can replace it but can't afford to buy extra unnecessary parts if it's the Cat or something like that.

Thanks
Robert

Aug 25, 2003 | 06:54 AM

#11

PIONEER

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Posts: 1,686

From: Raleigh, NC

Guys, Looks like Nissan dealers nationwide tend to set their own price for the O2 Sensor. I've seen $97+ to 165 for O2 Sensors. Call DaveB the Parts guy at Southpointnissan...512-444-1400.. He has them in stock for $61+ shipping. That was the price I was given.