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DTC P0420: CATALYST SYSTEM EFFICIENCY BELOW THRESHOLD Toyota Highlander I

Note. Heated A/F sensors are located on each exhaust manifold. Heated A/F sensor on rear (firewall side) exhaust manifold may also be referred to as bank No. 1 sensor No. 1. Heated A/F sensor on front (radiator side) exhaust manifold may also be referred to as bank No. 2 sensor No. 1. A/F sensors may also be referred to as A/F ratio sensors.

Circuit Description

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

  1. Exhaust system leak.
  2. Defective A/F sensor.
  3. Defective heated oxygen sensor No. 2.
  4. Defective catalytic converter.

Diagnostic Aids

Using Toyota hand-held tester or scan tool, read FREEZE FRAME data. Freeze frame data records engine conditions when malfunction is detected.