P0430 Catalytic System Efficiency (Bank 2)

I have a 2007 4Runner with about 140K on it. About 2 years ago, the engine light came on along with the ABS system and anti-skid/traction control warning lights...all at same time. The code then was a P0430 (power train: catalytic system efficiency/bank 2) and some others re: the ABS lights. My understanding is that when there is something wrong detected with the power train system, other associated systems that depend on it working correctly like traction control and etc. also are automatically disabled for safety reasons. So really it was just the power train issue that was the problem and root cause for other error codes.

One of the "recommendations" back then from printout was to replace battery, which I did since it was about 4 years old at that point. When new battery was replaced and car restarted, none of the warning lights came back on, including ...until yesterday...exact same ones and exact same codes. I had battery checked and it was fine.

So...I guess I'll unhook battery and let it sit for a bit, then hook it back up and see what's what. But I thought I'd ask if this set of circumstances rings a bell? Or if there is a reasonable explanation for the behavior? I don't mind putting some new O2 sensors on or a new catalytic converter, but I'd rather not screw around with stuff if it is, in fact, working...I always end up breaking something else :--(

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(note: I posted this on other Toyota forum...I assume not everyone here is a member there and vice-versa. I hope that's not bad form?)

 

So on my 2002...I get that code every 6 months. I reset it. It leaves for 6 months. It comes back. I reset... and the cycle continues.

I replaced the downstream sensor ONCE but it was because the reset lasted about 1 day so I knew it was bad or the CAT was bad. The car was at 100k miles so I figured the sensor was bad.

My advice is to use your OBD2 scanner and reset the code. I do not recommend disconnecting a battery for a long length of time on newer cars. Too many computer systems anymore.

Edit: Yes, the other lights are disabled because of the CEL. Always ignore those and fix the cause of the CEL.

 

P0430 is specifically related to the passenger side catalytic converter possibly failing. First order of business in troubleshooting would be to replace the O2 sensor on the passenger side. they are around $40 on RockAuto for a Denso replacement. Only use Denso as they are the most reliable. The one right after the cat. If the code persists after that, then you will need to look at having the cat replaced. They are cat on manifold, so the passenger side manifold gets replace to replace the cat.

 

@negusm : thanks for response and thoughts. Fair to say that a reasonable strategy is to reset code and wait to see if it re-occurs in a short amount of time before considering new parts or anything else?

 

I am not a mechanic or expert. My brief exploration on the topic indicated that P0430 (bank 2) for a gen-4 4Runner involves the driver side, as that is where spark plug "2" (for bank 2) is. Am I incorrect?

 

Is this a V6 or the V8? V6 P0430 might actually be the driver side.

 

V6, 2WD.

 

So yeah, probably drivers side then. I'd still start with replacing the O2 sensor and go from there.

 

Why?

Just clear the code and see if it comes back first. Ramping up the parts canon is no way to start.

 

My understanding is that was already done and codes continue to persist. O2 sensor is cheap, around $40 for a Denso unit from RockAuto. That isn't "ramping up the parts cannon", that's the next logical step with a persistent P0420/430.

If the code hasn't been reset yet, they by all means, start there. My money is on it coming back. 9/10 it's a failing O2 sensor.