DTC P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1: Notes

DTC DETECTING CONDITION: 

Detected when two consecutive driving cycles with fault occur.

TROUBLE SYMPTOM: 

• Engine stalls.
• Idle mixture is out of specifications.
  CAUTION:

  • After servicing or replacing faulty parts, perform Clear Memory Mode <Ref. to OPERATION , Clear Memory Mode.>, and Inspection Mode <Ref. to PROCEDURE , Inspection Mode.>.
  • Use the check board when measuring the ECM terminal voltage and resistance.

WIRING DIAGRAM: 

Engine Electrical System <Ref. to WIRING DIAGRAM , Engine Electrical System.>

Step	Check	Yes	No
1 CHECK EXHAUST SYSTEM.  Check for gas leaks or air suction caused by loose or dislocated nuts and bolts, and open hole at exhaust pipes. NOTE: Check the following positions. Between cylinder head and front exhaust pipe Between front exhaust pipe and front catalytic converter Between front catalytic converter and rear catalytic converter Loose or improperly attached front oxygen (A/F) sensor or rear oxygen sensor	Is there any fault in exhaust system?	Repair or replace the exhaust system. <Ref. to General Description .>	Go to step 2  .
2 CHECK WAVEFORM DATA ON THE SUBARU SELECT MONITOR (WHILE DRIVING).  Drive at a constant speed between 80 - 112 km/h (50 - 70 MPH). After 5 minutes have elapsed in the condition of step  1, use the Subaru Select Monitor while still driving to read the waveform data. At normal condition Fig 2: Waveform Data Signal Graph (Normal Condition) - Subaru Select Monitor (While Driving) At abnormal condition (numerous inversion) Fig 3: Waveform Data Signal Graph (Abnormal Condition) - Subaru Select Monitor (While Driving)	Is a normal waveform displayed?	Even if DTC is detected, the circuit has returned to a normal condition at this time. Reproduce the failure, and then perform the diagnosis again. NOTE: In this case, temporary poor contact of connector, temporary open or short circuit of harness may be the cause.	Go to step 3  .
3 CHECK WAVEFORM DATA ON THE SUBARU SELECT MONITOR (WHILE IDLING).  Run the engine at idle. In the condition of step  1, use the Subaru Select Monitor to read the waveform data. At normal condition Fig 4: Waveform Data Signal Graph (Normal Condition) - Subaru Select Monitor (While Idling) At abnormal condition 1 (numerous inversion) Fig 5: Waveform Data Signal Graph (Abnormal Condition 1) - Subaru Select Monitor (While Idling) At abnormal condition 2 (noise input) Fig 6: Waveform Data Signal Graph (Abnormal Condition 2) - Subaru Select Monitor (While Idling)	Is a normal waveform displayed?	Go to step 4  .	The waveform is displayed at abnormal condition 1: Go to step 4  . The waveform is displayed at abnormal condition 2: Go to step 5  .
4 CHECK CATALYTIC CONVERTER.	Is the catalytic converter damaged?	Replace the catalytic converter. <Ref. to Front Catalytic Converter .> <Ref. to Rear Catalytic Converter .>	Go to step 5  .
5 CHECK REAR OXYGEN SENSOR CONNECTOR.	Has water entered the connector?	Completely remove any water inside.	Go to step 6  .
6 CHECK HARNESS BETWEEN ECM AND REAR OXYGEN SENSOR CONNECTOR.  Turn the ignition switch to OFF. Disconnect the connector from ECM. Disconnect the connector from rear oxygen sensor. Measure the resistance of harness between ECM connector and rear oxygen sensor connector. Connector & terminal  (E158) No. 42 - (E25) No. 3:  (E158) No. 16 - (E25) No. 4:	Is the resistance less than 1 Ω?	Go to step 7  .	Repair the open circuit of harness between ECM connector and rear oxygen sensor connector.
7 CHECK REAR OXYGEN SENSOR SHIELD.  Turn the ignition switch to OFF. Expose the rear oxygen sensor connector body side harness sensor shield. Measure the resistance between sensor shield and engine ground.	Is the resistance less than 1 Ω?	Go to step 8  .	Repair the open circuit of rear oxygen sensor harness.
8 CHECK ENGINE OIL AMOUNT AND EXHAUST GAS.  Check the engine oil amount. <Ref. to INSPECTION , Engine Oil.> Check exhaust gas during idling.	Does the engine oil amount drop or white smoke emit from the muffler?	Check the engine, and repair the defective part. <Ref. to INSPECTION , Engine Trouble in General.> After repairing the engine, replace the catalytic converter. <Ref. to Front Catalytic Converter .> <Ref. to Rear Catalytic Converter .> After the catalytic converter is replaced, perform step 2 to check the normal waveform is displayed, and then exit the procedure.	Go to step 9  .
9 CHECK IGNITION SYSTEM.  Check the spark plug. <Ref. to INSPECTION , Spark Plug.> Check the status of the ignition coil connector and the spark plug terminal.	Is there any fault in the ignition system?	After repairing the ignition system, replace the catalytic converter. <Ref. to Front Catalytic Converter .> <Ref. to Rear Catalytic Converter .> After the catalytic converter is replaced, perform step 2 to check the normal waveform is displayed, and then exit the procedure.	Go to step 10  .
10 CHECK FUEL SYSTEM.  Refer to and check the items in "Insufficient fuel supply to fuel injector" (except for "a. Fuel pump does not operate.") and "Leakage or blow out of fuel". <Ref. to INSPECTION , Fuel System Trouble in General.> Check throttle body. <Ref. to INSPECTION , Throttle Body.> Check intake manifold. <Ref. to INSPECTION , Intake Manifold.>	Is there any fault in the fuel system?	After repairing the fuel system, replace the catalytic converter. <Ref. to Front Catalytic Converter .> <Ref. to Rear Catalytic Converter .> After the catalytic converter is replaced, perform step 2 to check the normal waveform is displayed, and then exit the procedure.	Go to step 11  .
11 CHECK DTC.	Is any other DTC displayed?	Check the appropriate DTC using the "List of Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC)". <Ref. to List of Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) .> After checking the DTC, replace the catalytic converter. <Ref. to Front Catalytic Converter .> <Ref. to Rear Catalytic Converter .> After the catalytic converter is replaced, perform step 2 to check the normal waveform is displayed, and then exit the procedure.	Replace the rear oxygen sensor. <Ref. to Rear Oxygen Sensor .>