Is it coincidence that the P0420 code came on a week after the y-pipe install?

I went to the dealer so this is what they did and said to me:
- my 2000 Maxima SE (fed spec) had the programming for a 2001 Maxima Cali Spec!
- reprogrammed for the 2000 Maxima
- reprogrammed for the P0420 update (charged me $85 because I have 88k on my car)
- the rear catalytic converter test shows that it failed...said I need new cat

Did any of you ever get a code because of the y-pipe? Is it coincidence or did the y-pipe cause the rear cat to go bad? Or is the y-pipe (from Budget) the culprit?

I'm so frustrated. Seems the "cheaper" cats are just that after doing research. Warpspeed, Random, Pacesetters cats are all junk!

Who can impart their wisdom to me?

 

the y pipe would not make the cat fail. is it possible it was damaged during the install? on a fed spec maxima, an aftermarket y pipe removes both precats while on a cali spec, it only removes one. i do not see a way a fed spec could have cali spec programming because it has fewer O2 sensors. are you sure it is a fed spec because there is a good amount of 2k that are cali spec. i am not sure about emissions in your area but you could go with a straight pipe. its much cheaper and you will lose a little low end but gain a little up top but will not pass emissions. l

 

I feel your frustration! My cali spec 2k1 got the P0420 ses code a few days after I removed my cattman Y. Didn't really do anything, still have the ses light. I've just been driving around with it. Good luck

Let us know how you make out!

Robert

 

have u tried resetting the ecu after removing the cattman y?

 

it will come back, trust me. It has happend three times total on both my 2k1's.

You'll need a dealer ecu upgrade to get rid of the problem

 

I reset the ecu a few times it went away came back stayed on, back off, then on again. I don't feel any problems with driving so it's not top priority.

 

There are only about three manufacturers of catalytic converter substrates in the US. Magnaflow/Carsound and Random use the same company to provide theirs, I don't know where Nissan gets theirs but having looked at every one from 1989 to 2004 there is not much visible difference other than a smaller cell count on the high flow converters. We sell about thousand of the Magnflow/Carsound each year with minimal complaints, 99.999% of the time it is
a vehicle problem.

The 2000 FED has an o2 sensor behind the main converter, checking through almost 6 years of our catalytic converter comments and issues the 2000 FED is about the only one we ever hear of that have an issue. I found 3, 2 were bad o2 sensors the other went off.

You might want to have your converter temp checked with an infrared thermometer, it should be about 1250 F when it is at proper operationg temperature.

regards
Dallas