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2001 toyota mr2: the P0420 bad..coil packs....then..miles later

Answered by:Toyota Service
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Customer Question

i have a 2001 toyota mr2 spyder..it keeps throwing the P0420 bad cat....replaced cat..replaced O2sensors..replaced to coil packs..then got the P0420..figured i dumped in raw fuel in cat ..so i bought another cat..85 miles later i get the P0420 code...about to run car off a cliff..Help..

Optional Information:
Year: 2001
Make: Toyota
Model: mr2
Engine: 1.8

Already Tried:
first replaced O2 senors..replace a bank one sensor...had misfire code that was cleared without my knowlege...replaced cat....again. misfire code .replaced two coil packs and a maf...got the p0420..replaced cat again..drove 89 miles today got that freaking p0420 again...Why and what to do to clear and keep p0420 out...at wits end

Submitted: 487 days and 4 hours ago.

Category: Toyota

Value: $37

Status: CLOSED

Accepted Answer

Expert: Toyota Service replied 487 days and 3 hours ago.

Toyota Service : Hello. Welcome to Just Answer. Please allow me to assist you on this issue. One question before we begin...the replacement parts...are they genuine Toyota parts, or aftermarket parts? Thanks.

Customer :

i beleive they are oem not sure...got the cats from browns...and the sensors from advance and coil packs..

Customer :

i ve seen alot about this on the net...someone suggested o2 spacers?...they said they worked..who know..but very discussed...

Toyota Service : It is my task here to provide you with 100% correct information. In this case, your answer lies in installing parts that fit, but are not correct for the car. Toyota computers are designed to see a specific signal from the sensors. Aftermarket sensors do not provide the signal the computer is looking for, and you get false codes.

Toyota Service : If I were you, I'd purchase a set of sensors from a Toyota parts department, install them, and drive it a couple hundred miles, then get the code cleared.

Customer :

do you beleive the cat is still good...just cheap sensors??

Toyota Service : The possibility of the cat being good is high. If the car was running poor, which you did not mention, the possibility of the cat getting fuel contaminated would be a cause for concern.

Customer :

yes the car has excellent pick up...runs very smoothly just that dam light

Toyota Service : I know that 247.00 for an air-fuel sensor, and 150.00 for an O2 sensor is high, but they work right, where the aftermarket stuff is just that....cheap.

Customer :

in your past experience..i am sure you have seen this problem right....did the above correct the problem...i know you dont have a cystal ball..just your opinion...

Toyota Service : I change more aftermarket spark plugs and sensors than you can imagine. I cannot blame people for trying to save money, but, when dealing with genuine parts, they are designed for the engine/ECU, and cannot be substituted. You do have factory plugs in it, yes?

Customer :

alos while you are typing i think it has 3sensors one on each side and one on the back

Toyota Service : Yes...the correct parts shuts out the light.

Customer :

you mentioned the above two sensors..but isnt it three?

Toyota Service : You do run the risk of the aftermarket cat not working well with the oem sensors. Yes, I would have to check, but I believe there are 2 A/F sensors

Customer :

the last time i looked it had one on each side of the engine and one on the back end...are they separte from the converter..as do the converters have there own sensor ports?

Customer :

ok i see on the cat picture ..it has two sensor holes...ok...i will have to save a few bucks and more than likly get on this in a couple of weeks..just park her in the garage....

Toyota Service : The a-f sensors go in the manifold. All are individually replaceable

Customer :

ok...if i can locate you again on here..i will let you know the out come..thanks

Toyota Service : All you have to do is reply, the system will alert me.

Customer :

ok thanks

Toyota Service : Thanks for choosing just answer. I trust you will find my assistance beneficial. If so, please choose to accept my assistance by clicking on the accept button your screen.

Expert Type	Toyota Expert
Category:	Toyota
Pos. Feedback:	99.5 %
Accepts:	1587
Answered:	1/11/2012

Experience: 30+ Yrs of auto experience, Award Winning Svc. Manager; Just Answer Customer's Choice Award Winner

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