Home/Toyota/4Runner/Toyota 4Runner III (1995-2003)/Repair manual/Testing & Diagnostics/DTC P0420: CATALYST SYSTEM EFFICIENCY BELOW THRESHOLD
Contents Wiring diagrams Section: Testing & Diagnostics All sections

DTC P0420: CATALYST SYSTEM EFFICIENCY BELOW THRESHOLD Toyota 4Runner III

Note. Heated oxygen sensor No. 1 refers to oxygen sensor closest to engine block. Heated oxygen sensor No. 2 refers to oxygen sensor farthest from engine block.

Circuit Description

ECM compares waveform of heated oxygen sensor No. 1 (located before catalytic converter) with waveform of heated oxygen sensor No. 2 (located after catalytic converter) to determine if catalytic converter performance has deteriorated. If both waveforms change at similar rate, catalytic converter performance has deteriorated. DTC is set when all heated oxygen sensors No. 1 and 2 waveforms have same amplitude after vehicle is driven for 5 minutes at 20-50 MPH. Possible causes are

  1. Defective catalytic converter.
  2. Heated oxygen sensor circuit is open or shorted.
  3. Defective heated oxygen sensor.

Diagnostic Aids

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