Home/Lexus/LS/Lexus LS III (2000-2003)/Repair manual/Testing & Diagnostics/DTC P0420/P0430: CATALYST SYSTEM EFFICIENCY BELOW THRESHOLD
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DTC P0420/P0430: CATALYST SYSTEM EFFICIENCY BELOW THRESHOLD Lexus LS III

Note. Bank No. 1 refers to bank which includes cylinder No. 1. Bank No. 2 refers to bank without cylinder No. 1. Heated oxygen sensor No. 1 refers to sensor closest to engine block. Heated oxygen sensor No. 2 refers to sensor furthest away from engine block.

Circuit Description

The ECM compares waveform of oxygen sensor located in front of catalytic converter with 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 specified period of time and speed and engine is at normal operating temperature, oxygen sensor waveforms are the same. DTC P0420 is for bank No. 1. DTC P0430 is for bank No. 2. Possible causes are

  1. Exhaust gas leak.
  2. Faulty oxygen sensor.
  3. Faulty catalytic converter.

Diagnostic Aids

Using scan tool, read freeze frame data. Freeze frame records engine conditions when malfunction is detected.