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Catalytic converter

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318lajohn

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hello again. Well I went to a muffler shop who did a diagnostic on my 2003 Honda Accord for the CEL which has been on for the past four days. He confirmed that my rear catalytic is bad and that in order for the rear one to go bad, the front two are probably faulty. OMG!! WHAT FRONT TWO? How many catalytic convs do I have? He told me there's 2 in the front and 1 in the rear. I need to know if this is correct, and if so, can I just replace the rear one without having to change the other two? Any advice/suggestions please?

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#3 ·
318lajohn said:
Hello again. Well I went to a muffler shop who did a diagnostic on my 2003 Honda Accord for the CEL which has been on for the past four days. He confirmed that my rear catalytic is bad and that in order for the rear one to go bad, the front two are probably faulty. OMG!! WHAT FRONT TWO? How many catalytic convs do I have? He told me there's 2 in the front and 1 in the rear. I need to know if this is correct, and if so, can I just replace the rear one without having to change the other two? Any advice/suggestions please?

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Number of converters depends on what engine you have 4 or 6 cyl??
Model and year added to your sig, also helps.
First off, just clear the CEL and see if it returns. The problem may have been temporary.
Then before spending money on new cats, be sure the rear sensor is good. A muffler shop is going to try and sell you a new $$$ cat first instead of checking to see if a bad sensor is causing the CEL. I doubt the muffler shop has the equipment to test O2 sensors.
 
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#4 ·
What code is it throwing?
 
#5 ·
nehonda said:
First off, just clear the CEL and see if it returns. The problem may have been temporary.
Then before spending money on new cats, be sure the rear sensor is good. A muffler shop is going to try and sell you a new $$$ cat first instead of checking to see if a bad sensor is causing the CEL. I doubt the muffler shop has the equipment to test O2 sensors.
Click to expand...
I second this post
 
#6 ·
Drew03Accord said:
What code is it throwing?
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You can get the code read for free at your local auto parts store. Do that before clearing the CEL (also free). Come back and post the code here.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Hi and thanks for your tips. Does bank 1 mean the first cat conv? I had someone tell me that's what it meant, and that bank 2 would be cat conv #2. Does that sound correct? Thanks for your replies. I am learning so much!

Ok. Thank you very much.
 
#11 ·
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Oh okay. Thanks for your help!


I took my 2003 Honda Accord EX V6 to yet another mechanic. It read the same code P0420. I read the link you sent. This mechanic says he's SURE it's the O2 sensor. So, I'm going to let him replace it and see if that works. If not, it's got to be the catalytic conv. Thank you.
 
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#16 ·
Amazon had best Denso prices when I bought mine.
 
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#17 ·
I used Bosch on a 5th gen Accord with no issues. In replacing both front and rear it was plug and play (with the correct connector) no splicing. If you do end up getting a cat buy aftermarket...much cheaper. My Random Technology works just fine for less than 1/2 the price of an OE unit.
 
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#18 ·
I installed an aftermarket catalytic converter on my 99 Civic and changed the rear O2 sensor for a Bosch. After 4 years, the Bosch sensor still work great. But the catalytic converter started to throw codes after about 1 1/2 year...

To fix the CEL, I added an extension to the O2 sensor...
 
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#20 ·
Not to jack the thread but I think I am having the same issue on my 07 Accord SE I4. I recently had the dealer do the oil change cause I wanted them to do the 27 point inspection after moving to south florida from new england. I know that my Honda should be ok, but I just wanted some reassurance.

After getting it back I noticed a hesitation when starting to accelerate and when sitting at red lights my idle is rough and at times almost stalls out. I got the CEL and brought it back to the dealer thinking it was something they did. The SM plugged into the DLC and said it was a bank 1 exhaust issue possibly the O2 sensor. Then proceeded to clear the CEL and didn't give me the code nor bothered to remember it :headbash: Hoping the local auto parts store could recall it so I can fix it...no dice. I'm left with driving around like this until the CEL light comes on again. The only thing I noticed while changing to Akebono ProACT brakes was that the heat shield on the cat converter had rusted through on one corner and is giving me that annoying rattle upon startup.

THanks for the help.

The CEL came on again and had it read.

I'll search the threads for P0171
 
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