Ok on a hot summer day I recived a frantic call from my wife…hunny I am on the tree, what I said, my car is stuck on the tree I cant move the car…how I asked, well I was going for an interview and was trying to reach the resume folder while making the turn and before I knew it I hit the neighbors main boxes and instead of hitting breaks I probably hit the accelerator…
when I reached there and I saw my poor car stuck in the tree I could not stop but laugh…then I used the jack to lift the car and was able make the other wheel touch the ground to make way.
That caused a dent in the 2nd catalic converter. This is a 2003 toyota matrix equipped with two cats. One is on the front and one on the back. The back one it seems does not have any 02 sensors. This is the one which was damaged.
I drove like that for 2 years and started noticing noise. Went to a mufler shop and they cut the cat and found that the filter was broken into peaces. I still did not have any engine light on.
But as soon as they clean the pipes and put back my old cat and swed them, I drove few miles and I got a engine light on.
I thought because I put a hollow cat in it must have caused it. So I went online and purchased a cat for 85 and replaced it. But still the same friking engine light.
I went to toyota they asked me to replace the whole exhaust system for 1700. I refuse to accept that type of fix. Went to my other mechanick which I know the most honest guy and he ran some test on o2 sensors. The sin curves should match from before and after the cat. It did not the 2nd 02 sensor seemed to be erratic so he asked me to replace both o2 sensor. But he did not gave a 100% confidence that this will fix the issue.
The code was P 420
Oh forgot to tell that I was able to do a inspection on it after erasing the code and running it for 50 miles or so and doing an inspection ritght after. but the engine light came on after 80 miles.
then the fall came and we had lot of rain in dallas, tx. and suddenly one fine day the check engine light went of…it stayed off for 4-5 weeks. in between I refil the tank few times.
Now again the frikin engine light is on. What should I do.
yours sinsere laugh buddy.
few details I forgot to mention:
the muffler shop guy told me if I replace the front cat it will fix the issue for 350. but that cat was never damaged.
the Toyota guys said whenever you replace a cat you need to do a complete system ECU reboot or refresh and replace all the sensors. Other wise the Engine light will come on. Is he right?
Replace the O2 sensors, reset the computer, and cross your fingers.
how do you reset? do I have to go to dealers for that? can any one with the code reader can do the reset?