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DTC P0420: CATALYST SYSTEM EFFICIENCY BELOW THRESHOLD EXCEPT CALIF. EMISSIONS WITH A/T) Toyota Camry XV20

Note. Bank No. 1 refers to bank that includes cylinder No. 1. Bank No. 2 refers to bank without cylinder No. 1. Oxygen sensor No. 1 refers to sensor closest to engine block.

Circuit Description

The ECM compares waveform of oxygen sensor located before catalytic converter with waveform of oxygen sensor located after converter to determine if converter performance has deteriorated. If both waveforms change at similar rate, catalyst performance has deteriorated. DTC is set when all oxygen sensor waveforms have same amplitude after vehicle is driven for 5 minutes at 20-50 MPH. Possible causes are

  1. Catalytic converter.
  2. Heated oxygen sensor open or short circuit.
  3. Heated Oxygen sensor.