Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting p04200

catalyst efficiency below threshold bank 1 do any one no what this means??? i pulled this code off my contour duretec 78,568 this afternoon

yes it means the cat is dying and isn't working in the range that it should be

the light may go on and off for awhile but it will go constatnt at some point


take it to the dealer now as you have a short time til the 80k warrenty ends on the cats

Hi there,
I think you mean a P0420 code -- "catalytic converter operating below efficiency".
In any event ...welcome to CEG! THE place where you can get so much good advice ...there's really no need to go to anywhere else!
Here we go...
I myself had this code appear all last year on my 1997 Contour SE. Unfortunately the car is over 8 years and 80,000 miles so I cannot get the cats or pre-cats changed for free -- courtesty of the federal emissions standards. If YOUR car, however, is below these limits then you may be in luck -- and you should *immediately* go to your local dealership and get it looked at.
If you are 'beyond' the 8/80,000 ...there is still hope.

BTW, here's my own saga. I sent this email to my buddies -- YESTERDAY -- and little did I know YOU would be having the same problem TODAY ..what timing!

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All last year ...every 20-50 miles or so I was getting a check engine light (CEL) with a P0420 code. That code said that one of the catastrophic converters was 'operating below efficiency'. Since the car is over 8 years and 80,000 miles, it ain't covered for warranty repairs courtesy of the federal emissions standards. My only option was to pull the relays for the cpu+memory and thus 'clear' the code -- otherwise that constant CEL in my face would drive me nuts -- never mind having the car in 'limp home' mode -- which means the engine is operating RICH which, IMHO, is only compounding the problem.

I really thought I was looking at a $2,500 bill (as quoted by Ford) to change the cats and the pre-cats.

There's a ford contour user's group on the net and, as luck would have it, others have had the same problem as me.

The fix is to put a can of 'Berryman's B12' (which you can get at any PepBoyz) into the gas tank at each refill. Do this at least 5 times, i.e. 5 refills in a row.

You can, if you so choose, use a can or two of 'Catalytic Converter Cleaner' as well, but it's the B12 that REALLY does the trick.

This stuff is amazing. It cleans out EVERYTHING in the fuel-system and combustion area. It beats Techron hands down.

I've passed 500 miles since doing the Berryman B12 fandango and the CEL hasn't even come on once! Plus the car idles better and runs better too.

They also recommend, if you're about to do an oil change, to put a can in the oil crankcase and let it idle for 15 mins or so and then immediately change the oil (+ filter).

If your UIM (upper intake manifold) is full of crud (carbon deposits) they recommend you slowly introduce the B-B12, via a straw, into one of the vacuum hoses so that it gets 'sucked in' as the engine is running. This method, literally cleans out the EGR valve, the IAC valve and, in general, the UIM area (throttle plate, etc.) as good if not better than the 'decarbonizing' job that the dealer charges you for when you leave it in for service.
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OK, that was my VERY first posting to the CEG!

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Gerry
(Long Island)

Welcome to CEG Gerry.

A poorly running engine will cause excessive mixture swings that will trigger a converter code. It may smell of sulphur also. Fixing the mixture problem will cause the code to go away in such a case.

It is advised though that a Ford dealership test the convertor if it is in question. If it checks good you will be charged, but if it tests bad it can then be replaced under warranty.

The third option is to ditch the pre-cat yourself and bypass the downstream O2 sensors. The main CAT can handle the job except during warmup and the car will still pass emissions tests.

Hi,
Thanx.
Yep, I agree.
BTW, the ford dealership (Franklin Sq.) -- that I bought the car from (new) back in 1997 -- charged me over $600 to 'test' the cats -- which they labelled as 'bad'. Since the vehicle is over 8/80,000 they said $2,500 to change them.
I said thanx but no thanx, paid my bill, (oy!), and sought refuge, solace and better advice from, where else, of course, but CEG!
So to our original poster with the possible cat problem -- IMHO, if your vehicle is over 8/80,000 -- don't waste your $$$ getting the thing tested at a stealership -- try the Berryman B12 fix first (remember, miracles won't happen in a day ...it took me 5 tankfills to cure it!) -- and if worse comes to worst ...then you might consider trading in the car or gutting the cats and using MIL eliminators.
Gerry

BTW, last year I bought a Matco Code Reader/Resetter and it's only FAB! -- no more having to 'pull the relays"!

Does anyone know if a fuel pump that is on the fritz would cause this code? I'm pretty sure I need a fuel pump based on the symptoms I have and what I've read on here.....

man i am so happy that i read this post , cause i was so worried that its was a O2 sensor and that i was gunna buy one here in a couple of days , but ill try the berrymans b12 first and then go from there , thanxs