2001 4WD 4 banger check engine light

hatcherb · #1 (**permalink**) 06-11-2005, 08:28 PM

Had a check engine light. SUV has 120K. It has been dealer maintained. The SUV was somewhat sluggish. Dealer claims it is in the exhaust manifold and is quoting $1900 worst case for the Cat Conv. and up to 4 sensors. The problem is the engine light went out again and the acceleration improved. Then it came back on, but the engine is still as spunky. It has gone off and on several times and the effect is not felt in performance. So I think the connections to the computer doing the OBD is the problem. Oh yeah! The computer was re-programmed for a nominal $250 about 1 month before this strange problem. Any advice or questions. I am willing to work on this myself. I'm EE and an experienced ET.

Walter Omar · #2 (**permalink**) 02-28-2006, 02:31 PM

Just had my own certified mechanic reset the check engine light for $30. Light was on for two reasons: Catalyst Efficiency - Codes: P0420B & P0430. He said we'll wait a couple of weeks to see if the problem comes back and that sometimes long trips set this sensor off.

Wally

theyotaguy · #3 (**permalink**) 03-02-2006, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hatcherb

Had a check engine light. SUV has 120K. It has been dealer maintained. The SUV was somewhat sluggish. Dealer claims it is in the exhaust manifold and is quoting $1900 worst case for the Cat Conv. and up to 4 sensors. The problem is the engine light went out again and the acceleration improved. Then it came back on, but the engine is still as spunky. It has gone off and on several times and the effect is not felt in performance. So I think the connections to the computer doing the OBD is the problem. Oh yeah! The computer was re-programmed for a nominal $250 about 1 month before this strange problem. Any advice or questions. I am willing to work on this myself. I'm EE and an experienced ET.

What are the codes?What was the re-program for?If it needs cats,then it needs cats,but it's a cop-out to toss all the pre- and post-cat sensors at it as well.I doubt the re-flash "CAUSED" the problem,nor did the "connections to the computer doing the OBD"(?). I am not sure,but if that means plugging in a scan tool,then that would not have caused the problem.Read my response here and see if we are talking about the same thing.It could have been re-flashed,solved the problem,and now set another totally different code as well.

2001 Highlander - Catalyst Efficiency.