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DTC P0420 OR P0430: CATALYST SYSTEM Lexus GS II

DTCAffected Circuit
P0420Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
P0430Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2)

DTC IDENTIFICATION

CAUTIONIf ECM replacement is instructed in following testing, always ensure ECM harness connector and ground circuit are okay. If either are suspect, repair and repeat testing to confirm ECM malfunction.

Circuit Description

The ECM compares waveform of oxygen sensor located in front of catalytic converter with the waveform of oxygen sensor located behind catalytic converter to determine if catalytic converter performance has deteriorated. If catalytic converter is functioning properly, waveform of oxygen sensor after catalytic converter will switch back and forth between rich and lean much more slowly than waveform of oxygen sensor in front of catalytic converter.

DTC is set if after driving vehicle for 5 minutes at 20-50 MPH and engine is at normal operating temperature, oxygen sensor waveforms are the same. Possible causes are

  1. Exhaust gas leak.
  2. Catalytic converter.
  3. Oxygen sensor circuit open or shorted.
  4. Oxygen sensor.