Had to replace the catalytic converter when the check engine light came on for the first time back in 11/04 when the vehicle had 139k miles. A misfire will turn on your check engine light for sure, and severe misfires will set your Check Engine light blinking. The check engine light is for mostly minor issues. However, there has to be a code generated that causes the light to go on so I am dubious that you took it … The repair isn’t usually difficult or overly expensive, but it is critical to ensuring reliable operation. Low and behold, the light comes back on after about 2 days. Continue driving and see if the check engine light turns off. Finally, don’t ignore the check-engine light. Failing catalytic converter(s) Average repair cost: $1,150 Catalytic converters ain’t cheap. You should hope, just hope, that the gas cap is the problem. A clogged catalytic converter can trigger the check engine light and can cause you to fail an emissions test. Failed Catalytic Converter. Below we have highlighted the most common causes of a check engine light. The next day the service engine soon light came on. The temperature of the engine will go up or down as the vehicle moves. If all is good, the light should go off after driving a few miles. The catalytic converter works by breaking down unburned gases left over by the combustion process. Loose Gas Cap: Your gas cap is loose, broken, or simply missing. I had them change my sensor, drove 10 miles and my check engine light came back on, so I figured it was the catalytic converter. I don't know why or how it works; but it worked. It stayed on for a while, went off, came back on, went off, came back on. The check engine light only comes on in certain conditions: If the check engine light is coming on intermittently, be sure to notice any changes in the performance of your vehicle when the light is on.If you do notice a difference, try driving your vehicle as little as possible until you can bring it in for service. Let The Check Engine Light Go Off By Itself ... Their scanner showed a faulty catalytic converter with an estimate of $1800 for replacement. According to the mechanic who diagnosed it, the existing cat is CA compliant. Nothing else. I have a 2004 Infiniti G35 and the bank 2 catalytic converter has triggered the check engine light. check engine light - catalytic converter Problem Reports If you have a problem with your Eclipse you need assistance with, this is the forum to post your question and get answers. Likewise, if your catalytic converter is going functional, and you did a lot of stop-and-go driving, that may have turned on the check engine light due to the high usage of the converter. When the light pops on, your car’s engine control module (ECM) will also store a diagnostic trouble code (often a P0420 code) in its memory. It runs great, except that there seems to be a problem with the catalytic converter, causing the orange "check engine" light to remain perpetually on. One week later check engine light came on and stayed on. My check engine light came on and was solid, not blinking, my mechanic reset my sensors, but it didn't help. The reduced engine efficiency of a vehicle with catalytic converter problems causes energy that would have been used to power the vehicle to instead turn into heat. After driving for a while, the check engine light should go off. "Check Engine Light" Codes P0420 and P0430 Replacing a catalytic converter or "cat" has become a big, expensive drain on a lot of people's budgets these days. The check engine light is most commonly caused by one of five factors; the O2 sensor, a loose gas cap, the catalytic converter, the mass airflow sensor or the vehicle’s spark plug wires. I checked the gas cap and waited a few "driving cycles" before calling the dealer. I have a 2001 grand prix GT that was having acceleration issue and I determined that it was a catalytic converter issue. We get it turned off periodically, and then it goes right back on. In most cases, your Toyota Corolla light will go off after about 20-40 miles. It is important to remember that if your "Check Engine Light" illuminates and someone just simply reads a code of PO420, 421, 430 or 431 this does not necessarily mean the Catalytic Converter is bad! – Gabriel Diego Jun 15 '16 at 18:42 @Gabriel Diego Not every P0420 is a perfectly accurate, irrefutable analysis of catalytic converter … Took my car to an exhaust place, they said it was my O2 sensor or my catalytic converter. If I replace it with a universal Magnaflow catalytic converter (approximately $100) will the check engine light come back on? That can include a minor misfire or a loss of pressure in the fuel system, among many other possibilities. It can be irritating driving a car with a flashing check engine light. Gas cap issues can reduce fuel pressure and allow fuel vapors to escape, reducing fuel economy and increasing harmful emissions. WHAT IT MEANS WHEN YOUR GET A CODE READ OF PO420 OR PO430 . Catalytic converter damage is one reason that’s one of Cars.com’s Top Ten Car Maintenance Crimes . All that code says is either Converter operating below efficency or Converter operating below threshold. Other Ways of Diagnosing Catalytic Converter Failure One of the first things an experienced mechanic will do to trace a clogged converter is they will temporarily remove the oxygen sensor or unbolt the exhaust downpipe. Also, make sure you don’t have codes P0174, P0171, P0172, or P0175 which can mean the engine is running rich or lean, which can burn out your catalytic converter. My check engine light came on and I took it to the Subaru dealer. Generally, a flashing CEL indicates that the engine is misfiring, which can damage your engine or catalytic converter. Alternately, you can purchase a gas cap for a few dollars online or at an auto parts store. In most cases you will receive a P0420 or P0421 code. It didn’t make sense since the car was running fine. The question of whether the check engine light will reset itself is often asked by many drivers. if it doesn’t, it may be time to ask your mechanic to check it out. Poor engine performance. Two questions: 1. Welcome to the Club4G Forums where you can join fellow owners from all over North America discussing anything related to the 2006+ Mitsubishi Eclipse. The check engine light would come on then go off before I got to the dealer. Even after tightening, it will take some time for the light to go off. I just had a magnaflow direct fit, catalytic converter installed and the problem was fixed. Toyota was kind enough to do a "good will" no charge warranty replacement. Past codes came up as the catalytic converter and gas cap. I gave the catalytic converter a few smacks with the hammer and the check engine light went out. Once again within the past 6 mos or so, the check engine light came back on again and catalytic converter needed replacement again. Usually, an illuminated check engine light is the first and only sign of a bad catalytic converter. If you delay misfire repairs, you can cause additional problems like a flooded engine or catalytic converter failure. Observe the engine temperature of your vehicle. The check engine light, one of the most obvious indicators of a malfunction in your car, is also one of the indications of a bad catalytic converter.When checked by a compatible device, it gives a catalyst fault code which must be decoded with the help of the operating manual. 600 less cap for a few miles my O2 sensor or my catalytic converter and ordered me a gas. Clogged catalytic converter has triggered the check engine light is the first thing you do! 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check engine light goes on and off catalytic converter