Hello Folks,
I posted a message a week or so ago in regards to me getting the P0400 code. Well after trying to clean out the EGR valve, it was determined that the one I had was bad so I replaced it.
After having the part put on, had the computer reset & tried completing the drive test (Rev engine in Neutral to 2500 rpm, then to 4000 rpm, then idle for a few minutes... Followed by (well not exactly followed by) Freeway driving for a little while.
My brother borrowed a code reader from his work. Within a few miles, the oxygen heater & oxygen sensor were tested. After about 60 miles, The EGR, Catalyst, & Evaporative System haven't tested yet. Well after a couple more drive cycles & probably another 30 miles, the CEL came on & this time, the code was P0421, & then of course the rest of the sensors test.
So we decided to reset the computer to see if it the light would come back on & with the same code, so I left my brothers place & drove home which is about 45 miles away & so far the light haven't come back on.
At the moment, I'm just trying to get my car to pass emissions, but of course they won't even test it if the light is on.
From what I have read to fix a P0421 problem is either one of the following
Bad Cat Converer, Bad Oxygen Sensor, Bad spark plug. Most of the people have said that the Cat converter s/b replaced with some saying its probably the Oxygen sensor.
So after the long rant, I have a few questions:
Is there some sort of test to determine which more than likely the problem is (since I don't really have the money to play the "lets try this & see if this fixes it" game?
Looking at the prices of Cat conveters & oxygen sensors at Autozone, For the 98 protege, I see one cat for $7x.xx & then I see another one for over $300 (different brands). Is there a difference or is one a rebuild, while the other one is new?
Next question, I've read the drive cycle for the protege is:
Cycle 1: Gear in Neutral. Rev engine to 2500 rpm for 15 seconds, release gas, then Rev engine to 4000 rpm for 15 seconds, the release & let engine idle for 30 seconds
Cycle 2: Accelerate to 55 mph for 60 seconds. Decel to complete stop.
Is there a trick to getting the car to complete the sensor tests? Like do I need to complete multiple drive tests & if so does the engine need to really cool down or is it more looking for the engine to just be shut off for a few minutes?
Thanks
Chris
I posted a message a week or so ago in regards to me getting the P0400 code. Well after trying to clean out the EGR valve, it was determined that the one I had was bad so I replaced it.
After having the part put on, had the computer reset & tried completing the drive test (Rev engine in Neutral to 2500 rpm, then to 4000 rpm, then idle for a few minutes... Followed by (well not exactly followed by) Freeway driving for a little while.
My brother borrowed a code reader from his work. Within a few miles, the oxygen heater & oxygen sensor were tested. After about 60 miles, The EGR, Catalyst, & Evaporative System haven't tested yet. Well after a couple more drive cycles & probably another 30 miles, the CEL came on & this time, the code was P0421, & then of course the rest of the sensors test.
So we decided to reset the computer to see if it the light would come back on & with the same code, so I left my brothers place & drove home which is about 45 miles away & so far the light haven't come back on.
At the moment, I'm just trying to get my car to pass emissions, but of course they won't even test it if the light is on.
From what I have read to fix a P0421 problem is either one of the following
Bad Cat Converer, Bad Oxygen Sensor, Bad spark plug. Most of the people have said that the Cat converter s/b replaced with some saying its probably the Oxygen sensor.
So after the long rant, I have a few questions:
Is there some sort of test to determine which more than likely the problem is (since I don't really have the money to play the "lets try this & see if this fixes it" game?
Looking at the prices of Cat conveters & oxygen sensors at Autozone, For the 98 protege, I see one cat for $7x.xx & then I see another one for over $300 (different brands). Is there a difference or is one a rebuild, while the other one is new?
Next question, I've read the drive cycle for the protege is:
Cycle 1: Gear in Neutral. Rev engine to 2500 rpm for 15 seconds, release gas, then Rev engine to 4000 rpm for 15 seconds, the release & let engine idle for 30 seconds
Cycle 2: Accelerate to 55 mph for 60 seconds. Decel to complete stop.
Is there a trick to getting the car to complete the sensor tests? Like do I need to complete multiple drive tests & if so does the engine need to really cool down or is it more looking for the engine to just be shut off for a few minutes?
Thanks
Chris
