Hi guys!! I had some good luck posting here last time I had an issue so here goes.
I’m trying to get the car to pass emissions and have a CEL. Have the dreaded p420 code.
We replaced the cat and the performance drastically improved so I’m fairly confident it was necessary. I’d been trying to complete the drive cycle so I can renew the car, and then the CEL came back on with the same code.
Prior to the replacement I had disconnected the battery to clean the corroded terminals and honestly forgot about the light. Went to take it to emissions and got the not ready indicator. I was waiting for the evap and cat. Drove on a high speed road and the light kicked on. I want to point out the o2 sensor was in a ready state but there had been no light (if it matters).
My friend had a similar issue and his turned out to be that they had a CA model car and needed a better cat (or something?) I checked my car and it looks like mine might be the same issue.
I took the car back today and asked them to check and also asked about the installed cat. I couldn’t find much online since the info on my receipt is a little generic. They insist it being a CA model doesn’t matter. I confronted the technician about it and he said it’s a very high load cat because subaru vehicles are choosy and insists that isn’t it. First he says the computer may have kicked it by mistake and I may need to drive more. Then he said I need to replace the o2 sensor next since the cat is new (but running kind of hot) despite the results from emissions prior. They want me to go back first thing in the morning for the additional repair.
I don’t know if they’re being honest with me. I honestly learn about my car as stuff breaks and so I’m very confused.
It’s a 2002 Subaru Outback if that matters and I attached my emissions label.