Catalytic Converter System (4-cyl) Acura TSX II

Component Location Index

Catalytic Converter System

Scheme 41

DTC P0420: Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold

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, troubleshoot those DTCs first, then recheck for DTC P0420. P0137, P0138: Secondary H02S (Sensor 2) P0141: Secondary H02S (Sensor 2) heater P0300: Random misfire P0301-P0304: No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, or No. 4 cylinder misfire detected Poor quality fuel can cause these DTC.

1. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
2. Clear the DTC with the HDS.
3. Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 3, 000 RPM without load (A/T in P or N, M/T in neutral) until the radiator fan comes on, then let it idle.
4. Test-drive under these conditions: Engine coolant temperature (ECT SENSOR 1) above 158°F (70°C) A/T in D, M/T in 4th or 5th Vehicle speed between 45-75 mph (72 - 120 km/h) for 5 minutes or more with cruise control set Vehicle speed between 55-75 mph (90-120 km/h) for 10 seconds, then decelerate (with throttle fully closed). Repeat this three or more times Maintain the vehicle speed at 55 mph (90 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 -If the screen indicates OUT OF CONDITION, go to step 4 and recheck. If the screen indicates PASSED, intermittent failure, the system is OK at this time. If the screen indicates FAILED, go to step 8 and recheck.
6. Continue test driving until a result comes on.
7. Monitor the OBD STATUS for DTC P0420 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, the system is OK at this time. If the screen indicates EXECUTING, keep driving until a result comes on. If the screen indicates OUT OF CONDITION, go to step 4 and recheck.
8. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
9. Replace the WU-TWC (see «WARM UP TWC REMOVAL/INSTALLATION»(/acura/tsx/ii-2008-2014/remont/exhaust/#catalytic-converter-system-4-cyl__warm-up-twc-removalinstallation) ).
10. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
11. Reset the ECM/PCM with the HDS.
12. Do the ECM/PCM idle learn procedure (see «ECM/PCM IDLE LEARN PROCEDURE»(/acura/tsx/ii-2008-2014/remont/testing-diagnostics/#idle-control-system-4-cyl__ecmpcm-idle-learn-procedure) ).
13. Test-drive for about 10 minutes, continually changing the vehicle speed.
14. Check the CATA MONITOR CONDITION in the DATA LIST with the HDS. Is the condition OK? YES -Go to step 15. NO -Go to step 13 and recheck.
15. Test-drive under these conditions: Engine coolant temperature (ECT SENSOR 1) above 158°F (70°C) A/T in D, M/T in 4th or 5th Vehicle speed between 55-75 mph (90-120 km/h) for 10 seconds, then decelerate (with throttle fully closed). Repeat this three or more times Maintain the vehicle speed at 55 mph (90 km/h) for 5 minutes or more with cruise control set
16. Continue test driving until a result comes on.
17. Check for Pending or Confirmed DTCs with the HDS. Is DTC P0420 indicated? YES -Check the fuel quality, then go to step 1 . NO -Go to step 18.
18. Monitor the OBD STATUS for DTC P0420 in the DTCs MENU with the HDS. Does the screen indicate PASSED? YES -Troubleshooting is complete. If any other Pending or Confirmed DTCs were indicated in step 17 , go to the indicated DTC's troubleshooting. NO -If the screen indicates FAILED, check the fuel quality, then go to step 1 . If the screen indicates EXECUTING, keep driving until a result comes on. If the screen indicates OUT OF CONDITION, go to step 15 .

Warm Up TWC Removal/Installation

Special Tools Required

02 Sensor Socket Wrench Snap-on SWR2 or 02 Sensor Wrench Snap-on YA8875, commercially available

Scheme 42

Scheme 43

Scheme 44

1. Raise the vehicle on a lift.
2. Remove the secondary H02S (Sensor 2) (see «SECONDARY HO2S REPLACEMENT»(/acura/tsx/ii-2008-2014/remont/testing-diagnostics/#pgm-fi-system-4-cyl__secondary-ho2s-replacement) ).
3. Remove the bolts (A).
4. Remove the WU-TWC bracket (B).
5. Lower the vehicle.
6. Remove the frame brace (see «FRAME BRACE REPLACEMENT»(/acura/tsx/ii-2008-2014/remont/exterior-body-panels/#frame-4-cyl) ).
7. Remove the A/F sensor (Sensor 1) (see «A/F SENSOR REPLACEMENT»(/acura/tsx/ii-2008-2014/remont/testing-diagnostics/#pgm-fi-system-4-cyl__af-sensor-replacement) ).
8. Remove the upper converter cover (A).
9. Remove the WU-TWC (B) and the gaskets (C).
10. Remove the converter cover (A).
11. Install the parts in the reverse order of removal with new gaskets.

Scheme 45

1. Raise the vehicle on a lift.
2. Remove the exhaust pipe hangers (A).
3. Remove the under-floor TWC (B).
4. Install the parts in the reverse order of removal with new gaskets (C) and new self-locking nuts (D).

See also:
• GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION
• ECM/PCM IDLE LEARN PROCEDURE
• SECONDARY HO2S REPLACEMENT
• FRAME BRACE REPLACEMENT
• A/F SENSOR REPLACEMENT
• WARM UP TWC REMOVAL/INSTALLATION