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Home >> Mercury >> 2009 >> Mariner Base, 2.5 7, AWD >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different variant/trim >> Section 7 (Engine Controls - Powertrain DTC Charts & Descriptions - (Hybrid)) >> Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Charts and Descriptions >> DTC P0420: Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)

DTC P0420: Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)

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P0420 - CATALYST SYSTEM EFFICIENCY BELOW THRESHOLD (BANK 1)

Description:  Indicates the catalyst system efficiency is below the acceptable threshold.
Possible Causes: 
  • Use of leaded fuel
  • Damaged heated oxygen sensor (HO2S)
  • Out of range cylinder head temperature (CHT) sensor
  • High fuel pressure
  • Damaged exhaust manifold
  • Damaged catalytic converter
  • Oil contamination
  • Cylinder misfiring
  • Damaged exhaust system pipe
  • Damaged muffler/tailpipe assembly
Diagnostic Aids:  Under normal closed loop fuel conditions, high efficiency catalysts have a high level of oxygen storage that makes the switching frequency of the rear HO2S very slow and reduces the amplitude of the switches. As catalyst efficiency deteriorates, its ability to store oxygen declines and the rear HO2S signal begins to switch more rapidly with increasing amplitude. The powertrain control module (PCM) compares the signal line length of the rear HO2S to an expected signal line length of a rear HO2S with a deteriorated catalytic converter. Once beyond an acceptable limit the DTC is set.
Application  Key On Engine Off  Key On Engine Running  Continuous Memory 
All - - GO to PINPOINT TEST HF .