Catalytic Converter System Acura MDX I

DTC P0420: Rear Bank Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1); DTC P0430: Front Bank Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2)

Note. Before you troubleshoot, record all freeze data and any on-board snapshot, and review the general troubleshooting information (see GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION ). If some of the DTCs listed below are stored at the same time as DTC P0420 and/or P0430*, troubleshoot those DTCs first, then recheck for DTC P0420 and/or P0430*. P0137, P0138, P0157, P0158: Secondary HO2S (Sensor 2) P0141, P0161: Secondary HO2S (Sensor 2) heater When poor quality fuel is used, this DTC may be indicated. Information marked with an asterisk (*) applies to the front bank.

1. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
2. Clear the DTC with the HDS.
3. Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 3,000 rpm without load (in Park or neutral) until the radiator fan comes on, then let it idle.
4. Test-drive under these conditions: Engine coolant temperature above 158°F (70°C) A/T in D5 position Vehicle speed between 45 mph (72 km/h) and 75 mph (120 km/h) for 5 minutes or more with cruise control set. Maintain the vehicle speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) for 5 minutes or more with cruise control set.
5. Monitor the OBD STATUS for DTC P0420 in the DTCs MENU with the HDS. Does the screen indicate EXECUTING? YES - Go to step 6. NO - Go to step 4 . and recheck.
6. Continue test driving until a result comes on.
7. Monitor the OBD STATUS for DTC P0420 and/or P0430* in the DTCs MENU with the HDS. Does the screen indicate FAILED? YES - Go to step 8. NO - If the screen indicates PASSED, intermittent failure, system is OK at this time. If the screen indicates EXECUTING, keep the driving condition continually until a result comes on. If the screen indicates OUT OF CONDITION, go to step 5 . and recheck.
8. Turn the ignition switch OFF.
9. Replace the WU-TWC (see «WARM UP TWC REMOVAL/INSTALLATION»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/auxiliary-emission-control-systems/#catalytic-converter-system) ).
10. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
11. Reset the PCM with the HDS.
12. Do the PCM idle learn procedure (see «PCM IDLE LEARN PROCEDURE»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/testing-diagnostics/#idle-control-system__pcm-idle-learn-procedure) ).
13. Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 3,000 rpm without load (in Park or neutral) until the radiator fan comes on, then let it idle.
14. Test-drive for about 10 minutes, continually charging the vehicle speed.
15. Check the CATA MON TEMP in the DATA LIST with the HDS. Is the temperature OK? YES - Go to step 16. NO - Go to step 13 . and recheck.
16. Test-drive under these conditions: Engine coolant temperature above 158°F (70°C) A/T in D5 position Vehicle speed between 45 mph (72 km/h) and 75 mph (120 km/h) for 5 minutes or more with cruise control set. Maintain the vehicle speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) for 5 minutes or more with cruise control set.
17. Monitor the OBD STATUS for DTC P0420 and/or P0430* in the DTCs MENU with the HDS. Does the screen indicate EXECUTING? YES - Go to step 18. NO - Go to step 16 . and recheck.
18. Continue test driving until a result comes on.
19. Check for Temporary DTCs or DTCs with the HDS. Are any Temporary DTCs or DTCs indicated? YES - Go to the indicated DTCs troubleshooting. NO - Go to step 20.
20. Monitor the OBD STATUS for DTC P0420 and/or P0430* in the DTCs MENU with the HDS. Does the screen indicate PASSED? YES - Troubleshooting is complete. NO - If the screen indicates FAILED, check the fuel quality. If the screen indicates EXECUTING, keep the driving condition continually until a result comes on. If the screen indicates OUT OF CONDITION, go to step 13 . and recheck.

Scheme 96

1. Remove the condenser fan shroud (see step 6 in «A/C COMPRESSOR REPLACEMENT»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/automatic-hvac-system/#climate-control) ).
2. Disconnect the front air fuel ratio (A/F) sensor connector (Bank 2, Sensor 1) and front secondary heated oxygen sensor (secondary HO2S) connector (Bank 2, Sensor 2).
3. Remove the front (Bank 2) WU-TWC.
4. Install the front (Bank 2) WU-TWC, and tighten the nuts in a crisscross pattern in two or three steps.
5. Install the other parts in the reverse order of removal.

Scheme 97

1. Disconnect the rear air fuel ratio (A/F) sensor connector (Bank 1, Sensor 1) and rear secondary heated oxygen sensor (secondary HO2S) connector (Bank 1, Sensor 2).
2. Remove the rear (Bank 1) WU-TWC bracket, then remove the rear WU-TWC.
3. Install the rear (Bank 1) WU-TWC, and tighten the nuts in a crisscross pattern in two or three steps.
4. Install the other parts in the reverse order of removal.

See also:
• GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION
• PCM IDLE LEARN PROCEDURE
• A/C COMPRESSOR REPLACEMENT
• WARM UP TWC REMOVAL/INSTALLATION