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CEL code P0420

C

codypka

Veteran CEG'er
Joined
May 31, 2006
Messages
657
Location
Magnolia, NJ
I just got the code P0420. Autozone says its a defective catalytic converter. But I always here that I should post these things on here and not believe the shop, so here it is.

Whats the word guy and gals?

btw, 2000 SVT Contour 104,000 miles
 
P0420 bank 1 probably the precat or can be:
(1996–2002)
Ford/Mercury recalibration for illuminating MIL for
P0420/P0430. Reprogram is available to PCM to the
latest calibration using WDS release B31.4 or higher.
Replacement of catalysts is no longer necessary to
address the most common causes of this condition.
Ford will not issue any additional TSBs on this issue​
for other models/years
 
Kevinm said:
P0420 bank 1 probably the precat or can be:
(1996–2002)
Ford/Mercury recalibration for illuminating MIL for
P0420/P0430. Reprogram is available to PCM to the
latest calibration using WDS release B31.4 or higher.
Replacement of catalysts is no longer necessary to
address the most common causes of this condition.
Ford will not issue any additional TSBs on this issue​
for other models/years
Click to expand...

could someone who is more car-savy than myself translate this into english for me
 
The cat efficiency codes on our cars (V6) is often a false code. The recalibration of the parameters that set the light and code may resolve those problems if a new program is available. My car is among those that doesn't have a new program.

For now, clear the code and see if it comes back. If it is anything like my car, it came on occasionally. Sometimes six months apart, sometimes a couple of years apart. I still have the original cats. I have not had it return since replacing the upstream oxygen sensors, but perhaps there has not been enough time yet.

Running some cleaner through the engine may also help a marginal cat to work more efficiently again. Injector cleaner through the tank, or Berryman's through the intake and chemically clean the intake some at the same time.
 
well some feel that the newer program, which just widens the limits of when the light will come on is just a band aid fix. However it was done on my mothers 99 at about 76k ... the cel was on for a P0420 and it smelled of un-burnt gas. The car now has 103k and I happen to have had it for the last two days and the car is performing great.

so it a 50/50 thing ....
 
Big Jim said:
The cat efficiency codes on our cars (V6) is often a false code. The recalibration of the parameters that set the light and code may resolve those problems if a new program is available. My car is among those that doesn't have a new program.

For now, clear the code and see if it comes back. If it is anything like my car, it came on occasionally. Sometimes six months apart, sometimes a couple of years apart. I still have the original cats. I have not had it return since replacing the upstream oxygen sensors, but perhaps there has not been enough time yet.

Running some cleaner through the engine may also help a marginal cat to work more efficiently again. Injector cleaner through the tank, or Berryman's through the intake and chemically clean the intake some at the same time.
Click to expand...

Do you pour the Berrymans directly into the Vaccum ports on top of the UIM? Do you do this while the car is running or off with the neg battery term. disconnected.
 
No, you don't pour the Berryman's in. Yes, you introduce it through the vacuum taps on the top of the intake near the throttle body.

You use a vacuum hose and allow the cleaner in gradually get sucked in. You drop one end of the hose into the can and attach the other to the intake port. You must also clamp or restrict the hose to control the flow of cleaner. Allow it in just fast enough to slightly depress the idle quality and not fast enough to allow the engine to stall. It may help to hold the engine up to around 2000 to 2500 rpm. Change ports when the can is about 1/2 empty to ensure that the cleaner is evenly distributed to all the cylinders. It is acceptable to allow the engine to stall near the end of the bottle and wait about 15 minutes for the cleaner to soak in.

I know that I have posted this before. It seems like it was moved to the FAQ area.
 
That friggin' 4020

That friggin' 4020

IMHO, the 're-programming' of the eprom - so as to widen the parameters - is very much a band-aid fix.

I totally agree with the Berryman fandango into both vac. ports on the UIM. I personally use a plastic straw - one end into one 'hole' - and the other positioned - into the can - so that it 'sips' the Berryman's or Seafoam until the engine 'hesitates'. Those plastic straws with the 'accordion' bit towards the top (i.e. the type you get for a really thick milkshake) are the best.

Since the Berrymans and Seafoam need 'time' to really do their job - I recommend you - towards the end - LET the engine shudder and stop as it's glug-glugging the cleaner.

Doing so lets a lot of 'neat' (unburnt) cleaner into the carbon-fouled areas - where it 'breaks it all down' over time.

Let the car sit for an hour at least.

Then put all the vac. hoses back on and go start the car.

She may 'stutter and pause' a bit - as it starts up - but just persevere.

Be ready for lots of smoke out the exhaust pipe.

You'll find that the idle and running is smooth.

Clear the CEL and go drive the car around so that the ECM memory self-programs as it goes thru' its drive-cycles.

You should not see that 4020 CEL for a LONG time to come -- and even if it does - you now know how to tackle it.

Gerry
 
So if I would like to update the pcm, we just go to any Ford dealer and let them know about it? If it's an issue, then they shouldn't charge.
 
all out of date now but the pcm flash mentioned was covered under the federal emissions warranty, which depending if the car had CA emissions is 8 years or 80k miles.
 
True, Brian; emissions/catalyst warranty is a lot more expansive than the standard bumper-to-bumper. Sucks to drive an old car sometimes :P

Rule of thumb: the only way a dealership will do a job for no charge is if

A: Your vehicle is still under warranty (standard 3/36, or the extended 8/80 emissions warranty)

B: There is an official RECALL listed for the affected repair (not a TSB, a RECALL).

In this case, your PCM flash is neither.
 
Thanks guys. I live in California. Would anyone give me an estimate how much would they charge to reprogram the PCM?
 
John said:
Thanks guys. I live in California. Would anyone give me an estimate how much would they charge to reprogram the PCM?
Click to expand...



IIRC, the dealer wanted like $180 to flash the pcm, This cost included an hour of labor, iirc. This was before we told them it was covered under the federal emissions warranty as stated in the tsb on this topic.
 
Sounds about right. That is what our local dealer wanted to charge my parents when we took one of our Contours in for the same thing. That was around 2005-2006.
 
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