P0420 code: any suggestions?

The dreaded 'check engine' light on my 1997 Civic hatchback came on
Friday night. FInally got a hold of a code reader and it's reporting
P0420. There were no other codes. Looks like the cat is past due... :-(

I am in Canada and am wondering if this is under the extended emissions
warranty. I ask because the last time the 'check engine' light came on,
it was P0171 (system too lean). I replaced the oxygen sensor at a local
dealership. My wallet and I were surprised it didn't qualify for the
warranty. Supposedly only a cracked exhaust manifold would qualify...

Anyhow, I'll be contacting both the dealer and Honda shortly. If it's
not covered, I'll be looking at getting a universal/OEM put in by an
amateur mechanic friend of mine. After Googling around, we'll be sure
to check if it isn't the other O2 sensor just before the cat.

Interestingly enough, we did not reset the code and on my way home it
went away... Any other suggestions? Heck, a link to this mysterious
extended warranty would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

I got a new Cat because the exhaust manifold on my 98 Civic
was under warranty for being prone to cracking. The
warranty is 8yr/180000kms, its worth checking out if you
are still covered. Try different dealers if they don't
cooperate.

t

 

That code is embedded in my brain as I had it on a `01 Maxima. It's a
catalyst effeciency error on bank 1. I had to "force" the dealership to
change the cat. They kept beating around the bush (it was under warranty.)
I had to show them that I knew what I was talking about after making 3
trips, having the ECU flashed twice. On the third trip, they wrote
up.."check which coil is bad."

All that to say, I had hooked up my 2 channel scope to the upstream and
downstream o2s and they were fine. The only thing left was the cat.

 

That code is embedded in my brain as I had it on a `01 Maxima. It's a
catalyst effeciency error on bank 1. I had to "force" the dealership to
change the cat. They kept beating around the bush (it was under warranty.)
I had to show them that I knew what I was talking about after making 3
trips, having the ECU flashed twice. On the third trip, they wrote
up.."check which coil is bad."

All that to say, I had hooked up my 2 channel scope to the upstream and
downstream o2s and they were fine. The only thing left was the cat.

 

[snip]

How can 0420 not be embedded in your brain? If I remember correctly, that's
the code to spark one up as big as your first finger.

 

'97 civic is covered by the emission extension warranty. 13 years or 150k
miles. If it turns on the check engine light, it's covered.

 

'97 civic is covered by the emission extension warranty. 13 years or 150k
miles. If it turns on the check engine light, it's covered.

 

Yea, and if those dick-heads at the dealership try and tell you otherwise,
make sure you phone Honda Canada Customer Relations right from the
dealership. 1-888-946-6329
They were pretty good at smartening up the dealer when I phoned them.

 

Yea, and if those dick-heads at the dealership try and tell you otherwise,
make sure you phone Honda Canada Customer Relations right from the
dealership. 1-888-946-6329
They were pretty good at smartening up the dealer when I phoned them.

 

i'm not sure the 814 emmission extension applies in canada. very
different regulations up there.
Chip

 

i'm not sure the 814 emmission extension applies in canada. very
different regulations up there.
Chip

 

i'm not sure the 814 emmission extension applies in canada. very

I have the notice in front of me. In Canada, for the 1997 Civic, they
extended the warranty on the exhaust manifold to 8 years or 160,000
kilometers, whichever comes first.

From what I understand, the EPA mandated extension in the US has a
longer time period and also covers maintenance items including a few
oil changes to encourage customers to get their car checked. I do not
believe there are such perks here. :-(

As an update to my original post, the malfunction indicator has been
off since Tuesday night. I will take the car to the Honda dealer next
Friday for an oil change and will have them diagnose the cause for the
check engine light (P0420) and to get the manifold inspected.

 

i'm not sure the 814 emmission extension applies in canada. very

I have the notice in front of me. In Canada, for the 1997 Civic, they
extended the warranty on the exhaust manifold to 8 years or 160,000
kilometers, whichever comes first.

From what I understand, the EPA mandated extension in the US has a
longer time period and also covers maintenance items including a few
oil changes to encourage customers to get their car checked. I do not
believe there are such perks here. :-(

As an update to my original post, the malfunction indicator has been
off since Tuesday night. I will take the car to the Honda dealer next
Friday for an oil change and will have them diagnose the cause for the
check engine light (P0420) and to get the manifold inspected.