5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

Help! P0420 2000 SE Cali Spec

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-31-2011, 01:08 PM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
xspanishxkidx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Ashland, MA
Posts: 136
Help! P0420 2000 SE Cali Spec

Hey thanks guys for your time and help. I have had my SES light on for a couple thousand miles so far. I just got back from the dealership today and they diagnosed my SES light and pulled a P0420. They told me I need a new Cat (bank 1) and bank 1 O2 sensors 1 and 2. They quoted me at $1920!!! I live in MA but it's a Cali spec. I'm definitely not going with their price... At this point I just have no idea what to do.

I also noticed my car runs kinda crappy. I have been doing research and can't seem to find a great explanation on what exactly to do with my car. It feels as if it bucks while i'm trying to accelerate. As I am slowing down sometimes at very low speeds, normally slowing from 15 MPH, the car stays around 2500 RPM then it jerks hard and the RPM's shoot back down to about 1000. I was thinking this problem probably can't be from a bad cat. Could it? or maybe a new MAF is needed?

Thank you guys again for your time and help.
xspanishxkidx is offline  
Old 05-31-2011, 01:40 PM
  #2  
Junior Member
 
gjaa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 55
I live in MA too, my mechanic helped me rid off that same code, for about $600. Can't guarantee that yours will be the samething but you could give it a shot, there are cheaper things you can do before putting in a new cat... Where in ma do u live?
gjaa is offline  
Old 05-31-2011, 01:44 PM
  #3  
Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
xspanishxkidx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Ashland, MA
Posts: 136
Originally Posted by gjaa
I live in MA too, my mechanic helped me rid off that same code, for about $600. Can't guarantee that yours will be the samething but you could give it a shot, there are cheaper things you can do before putting in a new cat... Where in ma do u live?
I live in a town called Ashland. It's right next to Framingham
xspanishxkidx is offline  
Old 05-31-2011, 07:17 PM
  #4  
Junior Member
 
gjaa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 55
Oh I'm in worcester! U could come see this guy and see what he can do
gjaa is offline  
Old 05-31-2011, 07:34 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
cabernet's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: California
Posts: 306
If you live in CA then you must buy OEM cats at inflated prices to pass smog tests. Outside of CA you can buy cheap aftermarket cats to replace the CA cats. You can also buy cheaper O2 sensors (Bosch) online rather than the inflated OEM ones. $600 sounds about right for aftermarket parts and installation.
cabernet is offline  
Old 05-31-2011, 09:36 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Christobal65's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 383
There are 3 things or a combination of the 3 things that could cause the P0420. Poor ECU program, bad O2 sensor housing or bad cat. I was lucky enough to get mine fixed under warranty and they fixed all 3. If you are replacing the Cat i'd also throw all new O2's
Christobal65 is offline  
Old 06-01-2011, 06:05 AM
  #7  
Junior Member
 
gjaa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 55
Originally Posted by Christobal65
There are 3 things or a combination of the 3 things that could cause the P0420. Poor ECU program, bad O2 sensor housing or bad cat. I was lucky enough to get mine fixed under warranty and they fixed all 3. If you are replacing the Cat i'd also throw all new O2's
I would personally throw in new O2s before replacing the Cat, the sensors alone could be causing the code.
gjaa is offline  
Old 06-01-2011, 06:43 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Rods03Max619's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Diego,California
Posts: 8,949
How many miles is on your car? And are you going for performane or just keeping it stock? If going for stock carstuff.com got plenty of pre cats and main cats for good prices, but if your going for performance get some OBX HEADERS OR CATTMAN'S...Cali smog sucks with the sniffed....Good Luck...you should be good since you in another state..
Rods03Max619 is offline  
Old 06-01-2011, 08:18 AM
  #9  
Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
xspanishxkidx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Ashland, MA
Posts: 136
Originally Posted by Rods03Max619
How many miles is on your car? And are you going for performane or just keeping it stock? If going for stock carstuff.com got plenty of pre cats and main cats for good prices, but if your going for performance get some OBX HEADERS OR CATTMAN'S...Cali smog sucks
the sniffed....Good Luck...you should be good since you in
another state..
Thank you! yes, I am trying to keep it stock.
xspanishxkidx is offline  
Old 06-01-2011, 08:19 AM
  #10  
Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
xspanishxkidx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Ashland, MA
Posts: 136
Originally Posted by gjaa
Oh I'm in worcester! U could come see this guy and see what he can do
That would be great!
xspanishxkidx is offline  
Old 06-01-2011, 08:21 AM
  #11  
Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
xspanishxkidx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Ashland, MA
Posts: 136
Originally Posted by Christobal65
There are 3 things or a combination of the 3 things that could cause the P0420. Poor ECU program, bad O2 sensor housing or bad cat. I was lucky enough to get mine fixed under warranty and they fixed all 3. If you are replacing the Cat i'd also throw all new O2's
How much do you think all the parts would go for? (2 o2 sensors and a new cat) also, which brands would you recommend?
xspanishxkidx is offline  
Old 06-01-2011, 10:21 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
Christobal65's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 383
Originally Posted by gjaa
I would personally throw in new O2s before replacing the Cat, the sensors alone could be causing the code.
I agree. Replace the O2's before you go after the cats.
Originally Posted by Rods03Max619
Cali smog sucks with the sniffed.
It's not the sniffer that's hard to fool its the visual inspection.
Originally Posted by xspanishxkidx
How much do you think all the parts would go for? (2 o2 sensors and a new cat) also, which brands would you recommend?
I'm honestly not sure what the parts would cost I would look at rockauto or if you want oem give dave b a call or check courtesyparts.com
Christobal65 is offline  
Old 06-01-2011, 10:24 PM
  #13  
Member
iTrader: (2)
 
colind94's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 112
O2 simulator

Put in an o2 simulator. Took care of the same problematic code for me. Best 40 dollars spent to date....
colind94 is offline  
Old 06-11-2011, 03:36 PM
  #14  
Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
xspanishxkidx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Ashland, MA
Posts: 136
Originally Posted by colind94
Put in an o2 simulator. Took care of the same problematic code for me. Best 40 dollars spent to date....
But wouldn't it harm my car if I leave the bad cat in though?
xspanishxkidx is offline  
Old 06-11-2011, 06:16 PM
  #15  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
 
marky3320's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 304
O2 sims and headers...that's the route I'm going for, since I'm replacing my pre-cats and O2 sensors as well.
marky3320 is offline  
Old 06-21-2011, 07:55 PM
  #16  
Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
xspanishxkidx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Ashland, MA
Posts: 136
Originally Posted by marky3320
O2 sims and headers...that's the route I'm going for, since I'm replacing my pre-cats and O2 sensors as well.
Nice nice
xspanishxkidx is offline  
Old 06-22-2011, 06:43 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
trooplewis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,039
Before you do anything else, buy a $35 code reader on Ebay, and reset the codes. Then fill your tank with Shell Premium, buy 2 bottles of Chevron Techroline, dump them in the tank. Take it out for a nice 50 mile run and keep your rpm's up, i.e. lock out Overdrive.

I did that to my ALtima 3.5 when I got the same code, and it never came back, until I dumped a tank of Chevron in the car, then the code came back. I re-fil;led it with Shell, reset the code, and it never came back again. No joke. Sometimes that 0420 code can be from some very touchy sensors.
trooplewis is offline  
Old 06-22-2011, 06:49 PM
  #18  
Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
xspanishxkidx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Ashland, MA
Posts: 136
Originally Posted by trooplewis
Before you do anything else, buy a $35 code reader on Ebay, and reset the codes. Then fill your tank with Shell Premium, buy 2 bottles of Chevron Techroline, dump them in the tank. Take it out for a nice 50 mile run and keep your rpm's up, i.e. lock out Overdrive.

I did that to my ALtima 3.5 when I got the same code, and it never came back, until I dumped a tank of Chevron in the car, then the code came back. I re-fil;led it with Shell, reset the code, and it never came back again. No joke. Sometimes that 0420 code can be from some very touchy sensors.
So what may be that bucking feeling I get while going at low speeds? If im going around 15mph or so and press the gas pedal so I shoot to about 25mph then let go, I get a loud jerk that I can hear and feel. Could this be cause of my clogged CAT?
xspanishxkidx is offline  
Old 12-15-2011, 08:27 AM
  #19  
Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
xspanishxkidx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Ashland, MA
Posts: 136
So I have ignored my cat problem for a bit and now there is something I have to do. Do you guys know what would be easier? put in a new cat converter (if yes, then which brand would be best?) or do I have other options to get rid of it instead. What do you guys think I should do?
xspanishxkidx is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jmlee44
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
8
10-02-2022 02:13 PM
TKHanson
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
6
11-24-2018 01:39 AM
Quickywd01
4th Generation Classifieds (1995-1999)
3
09-21-2016 09:36 PM



Quick Reply: Help! P0420 2000 SE Cali Spec



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:01 AM.