P0420 Nissan Code - Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1

2001 Nissan Frontier check engine light on: After several trips to the Dealer and hundred/thousand of dollars expend trying to fix it to no avail. Fault Code P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1. (Three way catalytic converter Bank 1 does not operate properly). Three way catalyst converter Bank 1 does not have enough oxygen storage capacity. Nissan Technicians tell me that this is a very common problem with Nissan vehicles. Does anyone knows of Nissan bulletins regarding the P0420 code?. Thanks, Pat

What repairs have you done? Have you replaced the catalytic conveter? reprogram the ECM?

Look at the "Tech Notes" above for link to the the bulletin and "Possible Solution"

Use gas conditioner, fuel injector cleaner then fill up with shell high
test gas. Now buy a inexpensive diagnostic tool and clear the code.
Drive the required driving cycle (not sure exactly what that is), and
for me there where no codes and the engine light went out. So stop those
blood suckers from robbing you, and troubleshoot yourself. The $79.95 I
spent for a diagnostic tool from sears that gives codes and
definitions, payed for itself and I figure I saved over 1K.

EXCELLENT advice Dancinghunter.  I've read forum after forum, thought of ordering sensors through O'Reilly's and Autozone.  But since I'm real skeptic and don't trust the auto repair industry, I took your advise.  STP Gas/STP Fuel injector cleaner and 5 gallons of Shell premium gas.  100 miles later "check engine" light off.  I bought a Universal code Reader $79.95 and I'm ready to clear the code!  Thanks!!!

Nissan is bull shit I don't even knw how I got Envolve that's y I stick to my Acura

Found this info in a forum on another site:  Combining it with your STP recommendation.  Won't be buying the Universal Code Reader.  Used the info below to find the code and reset it already.  Works like a charm!  Thanks Bella8107 & Dancing Hunter

As I didn't see a copyright on this..I thought
I'd "borrow" it. Thanks Phil from the Vboard for the write up, and Miso
for the second set of codes. (Who says we don't have technical
info...bah!)

In car ECM Diagnostics/ECM Reset procedure:

1) Sit in the driver's seat.

2) Turn the ignition key to the ON position and wait three seconds. (Do not start the car.)

3) Fully depress and release the accelerator pedal five times in less than five seconds.

4) Wait exactly seven seconds. Fully depress the accelerator pedal for ten seconds until the MIL (SES) light flashes.

5) Release the accelerator pedal and start counting flashes to obtain the four-digit trouble code.

Long flashes (0.6 seconds) indicate the first digit of the code; count
the blinks one through nine and write down the first digit. (Ten blinks
indicates a zero.)

The next three digits follow in turn in the same fashion except with
faster blinks (0.3 second) and a 1.0-second pause between digits.

The ECM code repeats intself until you turn the ignition key to the OFF
position, at which point the ECM resets itself to standard
get-in-and-drive-the-car mode.

You can look up the trouble codes in the ESM/FSM; there's a bunch of them. In the ESM, refer to page EC-639.

Additionally, if you get four blinks of ten (0000), the ECM is indicating no malfunction.

You can clear the code (and the annoying MIL) by holding down the
accelerator pedal for more than 10 seconds while in Diagnostic Test Mode
II. When you release the pedal, the ECM erases the trouble code(s).

It was helpful since it stop me from spending money on O2 Sensors.   It help me to look at other possible causes.  Have not replaced any parts yet but it maybe the ECM.

Thanks, I did what u said and my service engine light is off and I passed my emissions this morning....thank u thank u thank u.....You saved me over 1K and helped start my new year on a good note. YaY!

FWIW, my 2001 Maxima has had this code practically since brand new. It's more of a nuisance than anything, and none of the dealer fixes makes it go away. Performance isn't affected. You can ignore it, so long as you're ok with always having the CEL on.

Hi i also have a Nissan 2002 and i also having some problem with the p0420 i have this car for 6 month and i need some help with this problem .

You could try the recommendation below. Use gas conditioner, high octane gas and drive it. If the problem persist you may have to replaced the catalytic converter. See "Tech Notes" above.

It's depend how many milse have your Cat in the car cause I changed mine and after 4 1/2 months my check engine light came on with P0420 and I use the recomendation about use STP Complete Fuel Treatment, STP Fuel Injectors cleaner and filled my tank with the high octane (93) from shell couple times and shut the light off and my car is fine.
But remember it is recomended change your 02 sensors too when cahnge your Cat to avoid future problems and I did it after all and my car is running great. (you can find it cheap on ebay for $26 each)... Good luck..

I have a 2005 Nissan Altima. I bought 4 months ago and the engine light came on. I went to Advance Auto Parts to do an Diagnosis test for my car and they did check it for everything. Then the engine code came up as P0420 for Catalyst System Below Bank 1. Do i need to uninstalled the Catalyst System to be clean out, or do I get a replacement for 1?

You could try have the catalytic clean out, but more than likely you need to replace it. It's a common problem.

Hi I've nissan Altime hybrid 2011
m geting Service engine soon
Mr Lube people told me its P0420 code
can some one help me with this

You probably have to replace the catalytic converter to fix the problem.

Hi i have my car but how I can fixe how I can do to get a cheap catalytic Converter bank 1 and bank 2

You could try getting an aftermarket catalytic converter.

He is possible thad someone can fixe thad i am try to fine how to do coz i dont kwon the part to buy just the code p0420 and p0430 please I need a help and want to kwon if I can get any probleme again apart of catalytic converter

No, the catalytic converter can not be fix.

Hi I have a nissan xterra 2005 and I have the code p0420 what shud i do?

What do you mean

Unfortunately you may have to replace the catalytic converter. You could try clearing the code and using high octane gas for a couple of weeks, but if the code comes back, then the problem is the catalytic converter.

I have a 2007 i replaced 3 out of 4 of my cats in mine and replaced the o2 censors and still is on what can i do?

Engine code P0420 started shortly after I bought my used 2008 Nissan Frontier SE with 2.5L engine, 104,000 miles. Reset P0420 code with code reader between attempts to correct.
Replaced the rear O2 sensor, helped some, but after 100 miles after reset, P0420 appeared again.
Front O2 sensor is located in the front catalytic converter, which is integrated in the exhaust manifold. Due to O2 sensors location, it was fused into assembly, non-removable. Replacement costs of exhaust manifold-catalytic converter assembly was around $1200. Truck ran fine otherwise.
During research for solution, discovered Castrol GTX High Mileage 5W30 oil on Castrols web site, said its lower phosphorus content. Four months and 800 miles later, no Check Engine Light and no P420 code occurences.

With my 2002 nissan sentra code p0420 is combined with two other codes including massive evaporation leak (p1448) and vent control valve stuck open (forgot this code) and my flex pipe on my exaust is damaged. If you don't feel like fighting with a rusted exhaust system then a good fix is completely replacing it from the manifold to the tip of the exhaust. It's cost efficient and easy enough to do with you and one other person and not have to deal with an hourly rate at a dealership. This is an easy fix.

Thank you for the information!

I have a 03 maxima 3.5SE bought in okc drove 150 miles home ran great then set in driveway 2 days took it for sort drive it engin died dash said something about safe mode and codes are p0300 p0420 p01136 p01615 all for codes came up on reader after looking around under hood only thing i noticed is the battery cable is really lose is it possible that it could just be week battery connection?

Yes, it possible. If all the codes come back, you could try clearing the codes first and check what code comes back. The P1136 and P0300 codes are the one that could cause the engine stall.

P1136 NISSAN - Intake Valve Timing Control Solenoid Valve Circuit Bank 2
Read more: http://www.autocodes.com/p1...

P0300 NISSAN - Cylinder Misfire Detected Random Cylinders
Read more: http://www.autocodes.com/p0...

How many days or hours did that take to take action in the car because i just put one on my car but what to know how long

Need to find out how much for 2001 Nissan Altima Catalytic Converter Threshold is?

The price depends where you live. I suggest to call your local auto parts, they can give you a more accurate price. Also, you need to know the engine size of your Altima, 4 or 6 cylinder. Here in California the price range from $500 to over $1000.

Wife has a 06 Altima that just pulled the dreaded PO420 code, we have had the car since new and now has 175,000 on it spark plugs and filters have been replaced, I can not hear any exhaust leaks the car runs just fine and no MPG loss, I do put a can of Sea foam in the fuel every 5K miles when I do an oil change. From the sounds of it other than try some injection cleaner and a tank of 93 octane it most likely will be the CAT, however it looks like there may be two CATS on it? which one would it be? to replace the CAT closer to the muffler under the car does not look to bad looks like you can get the whole piece and new gaskets for about $200 but wasn't sure if that is the correct one that needs replaced with this code?

Do you have 4 or 6 cylinder engine? Is the one between the rear oxygen sensor and front A/F sensor. Here are couple of pages to help you locate the cat:

2005-2006 Nissan Altima with 3.5 Engine Air/Fuel Ratio and O2 Sensor Location
Read more: http://nissanhelp.com/diy/a...

2004-2006 Nissan Altima with 2.5 Engine Air/Fuel Ratio and O2 Sensor Location
Read more: http://nissanhelp.com/diy/a...

It is the 4Cy 2.5L

Is the one in front of the engine,
Here an image from the web:

I will have to take the heat plate off to be certain, but I believe so, then from this one pictured it goes under the car and there is another censor then to a flex then to another CAT then to muffler, I am guessing its the one right of the engine since there are no sensors after the second CAT?

Yes is under the heat shield.

That is the one

Hi, I have a Nissan 2005 Xterra, same O2 sensor coming on. Anyone changed this before? Any advice?

You got the P0420 code? if you do then the most likely cause is the Catalytic Converter. You could try using high octane gas for a couple of weeks, in some cases that will take care of the code.

when we start it and run it for about 15 mins, it will stall out. and the slip VDU comes on. We replaced one of the sensors. The fuel tank never works, and we never replaced it too much cost for us. And the O2 sensor been on for about 8 years. We never replaced it, husband very not mechanical incline. I was told that I needed to replace the fuel pump, but did not understand why, if the sensor was reading a different part number. And the mechanic said sometimes sensors need to change out the fuelpump as well. don't know how true this is.

so if this code is up which cats i should change the front or back ... bank 1 or 2 .. sorry not an expert but i got this code and looking for advice

What model and year is your vehicle?

I have a 2011 Nissan Sentra 2.0 Base. only have 1 code, 0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1; is this a sensor(s) or the catalyst converter?

The problem is more than likely the Catalytic Converter, if the problem was the Oxygen Sensor, then you will get a Oxygen Sensor Code.
Before replacing any parts, try using high octane gas for a couple of weeks, sometimes that will clean and take care of the problem.

I have an automatic 2005 Nissan Xterra V6. I love my Nissan. I use to have another Xterra manual transmission 1990something and I loved that too it drove forever and was crazy reliable and we maintained it ourselves. We gave it to our daughter who sold it because she wanted to move to Hawaii. Now she wishes she'd kept it... I started having trouble this June with the SLIP light coming on and stalling on my 2005. So sad. The dealer was no help- wanted me to replace the whole transmission. My personal garage doesn't seem to have the time to trouble shoot. So we bought a FIXD trouble shooting reader online. It showed a P0345 code so I bought a Camshaft Position Sensor Bank 1 and 2 and my fiancé replaced those last night. Now it says I have a P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1. I'm liking the advise I've read about trying out gas conditioner, high octane gas and drive it. I think I'll try that before buying another sensor.

Yes, definitely try using high octane gas for a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, if the problem persist, you may have to replace the catalytic converter. Most of the times the problem for the P0420 code is the catalytic converter and not the oxygen sensors.