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I keep getting a check engine light for a catalytic converter low threshold code. I don't have the money to replace it. Is there any way to clean it and extend life?
Is this a good question?
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P0420/P0430 typically indicates that the cat isn't performing at 95% efficiency, and it usually does not affect drivability. If the honeycomb structure in the cat were broken, that could cause issues, but as long as the cat is intact, it's just running at 0-94% efficiency.
You could swap the 02 sensor that goes the cat and see if that clears it up, but I would say 8/10 times the cat is bad. Unless you live in an inspection state I would drive the car like that and not bother replacing the cats on such an old car. 11-17 years on the original cat is when you accept the code will be there for the remaining life of the vehicle, as the cost of a new cat is usually significantly more than the car is worth many years later.
FCA cars are known to experience issues with the cats as they age, so it's not uncommon for their vehicles to develop a cat problem as they age out.
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@couponlover57 not really, but make sure that this is caused by the catalytic converter. There is always a possibility that this is connected to some faulty O2 sensor, bad fuel injectors or even issues with an exhaust leak. Let us know the exact code(s) your scan showed.
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