Trouble P0422 - Main Catalytic Converter Bank 1 Efficiency Less Than Required


Technical description and interpretation of error P0422

This diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is a generic powertrain code. The P0422 code is considered a common code because it applies to all makes and models of vehicles. Although the specific repair steps may vary slightly depending on the model.

A car's catalytic converter (catalyst) helps reduce exhaust emissions by saturating them with oxygen. It helps convert hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) into water vapor (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂) and nitrogen (N).

The PCM (powertrain control module) monitors catalyst efficiency using a post-catalyst oxygen sensor. This sensor is primarily used for this purpose. It should shift much slower than the front oxygen sensors.

If at any time the PCM detects that the downstream O₂ sensor is switching too quickly (indicating there is no change between the catalytic converter input and output). It recognizes this as a catalytic converter that is not working properly and displays a P0422 OBD2 error code.

Conditions for generating DTC P0420

The ECM, in the process of monitoring, compares the signals of the 1st and 2nd sensors during a given time interval, calculating the duration of the voltage signal, and if it goes beyond a given threshold, the “brain” of the car interprets this as a malfunction of the neutralizer. The threshold value of the difference between the amplitudes of the front S1 (taken as the standard) and rear S2 oxygen sensors is more than 0.7 times per minute. But the check light, indicating that an error has been recorded in the memory of the ECM unit, does not light up instantly, but only when a decrease in the performance characteristics of the catalytic converter occurs for 100 seconds, and the engine load should be from 21 to 63% when the crankshaft rotates 1,720 - 2,800 rpm, and the catalyst temperature exceeds 500 degrees.

Signal from oxygen sensor

During normal operation of the catalytic converter, the downstream heated oxygen sensor signal switches slowly between rich and lean conditions. Frequent switching of the lambda probe between these states indicates a decrease in the efficiency of the converter. As a result, its ability to accumulate oxygen is reduced.

The task of the catalyst is to oxidize carbon monoxide and neutralize CO2 hydrocarbon emissions in order to reduce the concentration of harmful substances. This process, starting with the Euro 3 standard, is monitored by two oxygen sensors. There is a constant comparison of the signals of the first and second lambda in order to register the convergence of their readings. Therefore, error code P0420, in due time, will bother all owners of cars, including VAZ, Nissan, Toyota, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda or others produced after 1996 and having 2 lambda probes in the exhaust system.

Trouble code P0420 appears when oxygen and unburnt fuel residues are detected in the exhaust gases.

How to Troubleshoot or Reset Trouble Code P0422

Some suggested steps to troubleshoot and fix error code P0422:

Diagnosis and problem solving

Error P0422 can be diagnosed using a standard OBD-II scanner. Use the scanner to view data and collect information about the code. And also to check for other error codes that may be present.

Next, clear the error codes from the PCM memory and retest the system to see if P0422 appears again. If the code disappears, it may indicate an intermittent error or that the code appeared in error.

If the P0422 code occurs again, inspect the wires and connectors near the catalytic converter. Repair or replace any damaged items. After this, inspect the catalytic converter and also perform a thorough check of the exhaust system for leaks.

If the problem is the catalytic converter, replace it. Also inspect other vehicle components to determine the cause of the catalytic converter damage.

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Error P0422 - Main catalyst performance too low (bank 1)

Trouble code P0422 is a standard OBD-II trouble code. Code P0422 indicates that the efficiency of the main catalyst is below acceptable levels. Catalyst efficiency is determined by the engine control module, which uses exhaust gas and temperature data from both the upstream and downstream oxygen sensors to determine catalyst efficiency. If the sensor readings at the input and output are too similar, then the efficiency of the catalyst will most likely be below the acceptable level and the control unit will record error P0422.

Causes of error P0422

The most common cause of the P0422 code is a faulty catalytic converter. However, there are many other problems that can cause the catalytic converter to malfunction (or may cause it to fail), including the following:

Symptoms of the error

With error P0422, there are no noticeable symptoms (except for the stored error code and the “Check engine” signal on the instrument panel). In rare cases, engine power may drop, vibration may appear during acceleration, and the engine may stall or not start.

Diagnosis of error P0422

Diagnosis of error P0422 is carried out using an OBD-II fault code scanner. First you need to read the stored error codes. After this, clear all saved errors and start the car. If no error is returned, then most likely there is no problem.

Error 0422 Priora how to fix

Hello! In general, the essence of the problem is that the “engine malfunction” light comes on. Priora '11, bought from scratch, passed 103,000. I connect it to the computer and see errors: P0133—Slow response to enrichment or depletion of oxygen sensor No. 1 to the converter. P0422—Converter efficiency below acceptable threshold

After resetting it lasts for 700-800 km. Moreover, if you look at the computer after driving 50 km, there is only error P0422 and the checkbox does not light up. Lights up only when P0133 appears. If you look at the computer dk1, there is a sinusoid. more than 0.55 at idle. Dk 2 flat line 0.35. And what could it be? The cat is clogged, although it’s become stupid, I wouldn’t say it comes off in the same way. Or change the sensor? I just wouldn’t want to just throw away money by exchanging a working one for a working one...

Someone also told me that if you put an insert under 2 sensors, the check will not light up, right? I look here at the drive in the onboard ones, and by searching, I couldn’t find any croquet answers or similar examples.

Comments 23

In general, I solved the problem! I machined out a spacer (fake) for the catalyst, there is a drawing on the Internet. + on DC 2 in the wire cut there is a 1 mOhm resistor and in parallel a 1 µF capacitor. 2000 passed all the rules!

Same problem. But I have to replace the catalyst and re-flash it to Euro 2. But the check still lights up

had the same problem. a week ago I went to the service center, they installed a 4-1 spider (there was no 4-2-1 in the nearby spare parts store) with 1 oxygen sensor, they flashed the car with some kind of Paulus firmware (they said the most optimal firmware) and that’s all... and they also said it’s bad somewhere filled with gasoline.

p0422 catcollector is dead, install a spider and reflash and the problem will be solved, but p0133 no idea

Error 0422 – Neutralizer efficiency below threshold The error is entered under the following conditions: 1. there are no errors 0102, 0112, 0113, 0116, 0117, 0118, 0122, 0123, 0130, 0132, 0134, 0136, 0137, 0138, 0140, 0171, 0172 , 0300, 03**, 0441, 0444, 0445, 0562, 0563. 2. The ECU controls the fuel supply in a closed loop Parameter (B_LR= “YES”). 3. The conditions for the ECU to carry out the catalyst diagnostic cycle have been met. 4. The ECU has determined that the oxygen content after the neutralizer is above the threshold. The error is entered into the ECU memory on the third drive cycle. The efficiency of the neutralizer can be assessed using the ANKAT parameter (neutralizer efficiency factor). If the ANKAT value tends to zero, the neutralizer is working effectively. The larger the ANKAT value, the more the neutralizer degrades. Check procedure: 1. Turn off the ignition, connect the diagnostic tool, turn on the ignition, check for errors. If there are other errors in the ECU memory, we eliminate them first. 2. If there is an error, inspect the catalytic collector for damage, check the condition of the “filling”. 3. If malfunctions are found, replace the catalytic collector; if there are no comments, check the exhaust system between the neutralizer and the main muffler for leaks, incompleteness, or damage. Make sure that there is no damage to the DDC and that the wiring harness is not damaged. If no faults are found, replace the neutralizer. 4. If faults are found, fix them. Start the engine, warm it up to a coolant temperature of 70 degrees. Set the rotation speed of the HF to 2000 - 3000 rpm for at least 4 minutes. The load on the engine should have a stable value of 15 - 50%. If the error does not appear, the malfunction has been eliminated; if the error appears again, replace the neutralizer.

There was an error. The car accelerates hard, as if it is being held, what should I do next and will fuel consumption increase? The instrument panel shows error number 4.

Catal died, if you continue driving, the engine will die

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Upgrade to Euro-2 and save money for an exhaust manifold. Well, or change the cat.

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The honeycombs inside have become unusable, the exhaust does not clean, but if the acceleration is noticeably sluggish, this is not due to the catalyst, in the Prior the catalyst does not burn out so much as to slow down the power Buy it used. You can find an excellent one at the catcollector for 3-4 thousand rubles. But hand over the old one, they accept them, don’t give them to the service. With a priory, a worn-out wheel can be sold for a kasar on average. Saving on buying fresh

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The electronic control unit and on-board computer in modern car models help the driver quickly find a fault. But to understand electronics, a motorist must be able to decipher codes. In the material you will find a table with all the errors, as well as explanations of the most common codes: 1602, p0504, p0422, p1558. You will also learn how diagnostics are performed.

Replacing the adsorber purge valve on Kalina

If the check shows that the Evap-Solenoid is faulty, the part must be replaced (catalog number - 11181164200). There is no point in repairing the device:

  • the price of the valve is in the range of 400-800 rubles;
  • You can buy the device in almost any store that sells VAZ spare parts;
  • changing the KPA is very easy and simple.

But before making a replacement, it would be a good idea to check the control circuit; quite often the valve does not work due to a break in the wires going to it. To complete the work, you will not need a pit or a lift, and the procedure itself will take no more than one to two hours, even if the operation is performed by an inexperienced worker without metalworking skills.

We change the valve as follows:

  • turn off the ignition, raise the hood;
  • find Evap-Soleno >

Replacing the purge valve could be considered a very simple task, if not for one “but” - it is very difficult to remove the plastic tube from the CPA without damaging it, and it does not come with the new valve. There are two options here:

try to carefully heat the connection with a hairdryer and pull off the pipe; cut the tube at the connections, and instead buy an ordinary fuel hose with a diameter of 8 mm and two clamps.

Having measured the required length of the hose, cut it, connect it to the valve and connector, we get approximately the same design as in the figure below.

We install everything in place, start the engine, and test the car on the move.

p0504

Also, many owners of a Lada Priora with 16 valves have questions about the appearance of error p0504. She tells the owner that there is a malfunction in the brake pedal sensor. To find out the exact reason for the appearance of p0504, you need to remove the sensor and disassemble it. Pay attention to its springs, one of them could burst - replace the damaged part.

see also

Another reason is copper contacts, which can burn. Inspect them and clean them if necessary. Sometimes error p0504 pops up due to the incorrect position of the brake pedal sensor on Priora 16. Twist it and check whether codes p0504 remain on the screen or not.

On which cars is this problem most common?

The problem with code P0422 can occur on different machines, but there are always statistics on which brands this error occurs more often. Here is a list of some of them:

  • Audi
  • Chevrolet
  • Chrysler
  • Dodge (Dodge Caravan)
  • Ford
  • Hyundai (Hyundai Accent, Elantra)
  • Kia (Kia Spectra, Sportage)
  • Mercedes
  • Mitsubishi
  • Peugeot (Peugeot 206)
  • Volkswagen (Volkswagen Beatle, Jetta)
  • Volvo
  • VAZ 2104, 2105, 2107, 2110, 2111, 2112, 2113, 2114, 2115
  • Volga Chrysler, 31105
  • Gazelle Business, Next
  • Lada Vesta, Granta, Kalina, Niva, Priora
  • UAZ

With fault code P0422, you can sometimes encounter other errors. The most common are the following: P0304, P0326, P0420, P0441, P0455.

Error 0422

The efficiency of the Priora 16 neutralizer has fallen below the normal level - this is what error p0422 reports to the owner of the Lada Priora 16 valves. As practice shows, codes 0422 pop up quite rarely. If code 0422 appears on the on-board computer screen, then you need to perform the following steps:

To get rid of 0422 you will need to reflash the cathode collector. If you have the equipment to set the settings, you can do the work yourself.

p1558

This error usually occurs on cars with a 127 engine. It is associated with the throttle valve, the quality of which in this power plant leaves much to be desired. P1558 does not interfere with normal engine operation, but you can still try to fix it. Some people solve the problem by flashing it, but we offer a simpler method.

Remove the throttle valve, and then remove the cover - this can be done using a hexagon. We find a plastic gear inside - this is the working part. Lubricate the gear thoroughly and reassemble in reverse order. Most likely, error p1558 will disappear after these manipulations.

How is self-diagnosis performed?

We have sorted out the main errors on the Priora, now it’s worth finding out how self-diagnosis is performed. The VAZ 2170 with 16 valves has a special controller with which diagnostics are performed. If you have an on-board computer installed, then diagnostics are performed on it. There is also special equipment that allows for a more in-depth check of Priora 16 class systems.

Since most Priora 16 cars already have an on-board computer, we will consider the option without the use of special devices. Diagnostics begins with activation of the test mode. The work proceeds according to the following scheme:

Error P0504

This malfunction is associated with an incorrect signal from the brake pedal switches. Most often, the cause of such a failure is a malfunction of the brake pedal position sensor, lack of proper adjustment, or a broken spring that is installed in this device. Procedure for checking and troubleshooting:

Sensor locations on video:

Adjusting the brake pedal position sensor:

Any driver can carry out this procedure at home without a trip to a service station. The part has two nuts in its design. One of them is on top, and the second is on the bottom. The upper nut adjusts the pressure of the rod. First you need to release the lower one, and then tighten the upper one, thereby changing the gap of the element. You need to ensure that the rod is fully pressed and not partially pressed. After this, start the car and let it run for about 10 minutes to check if the error appears.

The efficiency of the main neutralizer block 1 is below the threshold

From the moment I bought the car, literally in the first thousand kilometers, I began to be haunted by one single error “P0422 Converter efficiency below the threshold”, it is periodically registered in the ECU and not long after that it pops up on the instrument panel “CHECK”. I’ll immediately erase the staff and continue riding, approximately between “CHECKS” the mileage is around 400 - 500 km. It looks like it still sits from the manufacturer's factory. It’s as if my upbringing tells me that this is a mistake and needs to be corrected. What has already been double-checked a hundred times:

1) The spark plugs are all new, 3 sets just for fun and nothing changes, there is no plaque on them, the gaps are clear, the insulators are intact. 2) The wires to the armor were tested for both integrity and resistance, I tried to test it from a working machine and there was no difference. 3) The coil was removed and checked, I also used Kalina 2 and the result was the same. 4) The fuel rail with injectors was removed and tested in a bench, the spray was excellent, the same, just in case I washed it, in one flask, unlike the other three, it was a fraction of a millimeter smaller than in the others, but the flask was 15 centimeters and half a millimeter, just a miracle result. 5) The filters are all new, I change them along with the oil every 6-7 thousand km. 6) The timing and timing gear marks are all clear. 7) The clearances in the gas distribution mechanism are excellent, they were recently rechecked. I’ve already forgotten the specific compression number, but this is what I remember, it’s the same in all cylinders, everything is clear and not low. 9) The pressure in the fuel rail was checked, everything seems to be normal, I checked it two years ago. I can’t say for sure now. 10) The sensors were not touched at all. 11) Gasoline is used only by G95, and by the way, I noticed a tendency that the “CHECK” usually pops up 300-400 meters after refueling.

What are the symptoms and abnormalities:

1) The non-original ECU was changed right during pre-sale preparation in the showroom with the same only blue standard Granta 2) From the sound in the video you can hear that there is a certain misfire, as if one cylinder is out of tune, a small misfire is a barely audible pop 3) Engine speed at idle are not stable and wander a little around 90-100 rpm. min. Well, something like this. I'm waiting for advice! Give up another year with this sore, or still suffer.

VAZ fuel-injected cars have a special engine control and diagnostic system called an ECU (electronic control unit). With its help, you can get acquainted with malfunctions that arose during the operation of the car. VAZ 2110, 2114, 2115 cars and the procedure for eliminating them.

Error P0102

If this error appears in the car, then this indicates a problem in the mass air flow sensor (MAF) circuit.

In some cases it is not permanent. If this is the case, then you need to check the air filter for contamination and replace it if necessary. You should also pay attention to the integrity of the wiring of the electronic control unit block, evidence of jamming of the idle air regulator, as well as the cleanliness of the throttle pipe.

Thus, we looked at four common errors that occur on VAZ family cars and gave ways to eliminate them. We hope this material was useful to you and helped you solve the problem.

Test methods and problem solving

In some cases, it is necessary to check the serviceability of the oxygen sensor or the exhaust system and manifold for leaks. Leaks and leaks can affect the operation of the O2 sensors and cause the P0420 error code to appear, but still, more often this problem is directly related only to the condition of the catalyst.

Some tips for a troubleshooting plan

Before starting diagnostics, in order to save time on finding out the cause and fixing the problem, we advise you to carry out a few simple checks, and then proceed to further, complex solutions to the problem. So:

Checking the operation of the catalytic converter and its parameters

To assess the efficiency of the catalyst, it is necessary to compare the output voltage graphs between the “upper” and “lower” oxygen sensors, as well as look at the fuel supply adjustment data.

Oxygen sensor readings on an oscilloscope

The output voltage of the oxygen sensor, read by the car's computer, will decrease when the mixture is lean and increase when it is rich. A normal reading for an oxygen sensor will fluctuate between 900 millivolts (rich condition) and 100 millivolts (lean condition).

Short-term adjustment, ideally, should tend to “0”, but on an engine with mileage, deviations from the norm of up to 10% are acceptable. And when the fuel adjustment exceeds 25%, then a long-term adjustment also occurs, so if both values ​​are present, this indicates a problem in preparing the fuel-air mixture. Therefore, pay attention to the presence of additional fault codes.

How to troubleshoot P0420

Some car owners, unaware of the origin of the P0420 error, may begin to eliminate the problem by cleaning the damper or replacing sensors that affect air and fuel consumption. While, if you need to try to replace something, it’s this:

Firstly, swap lambda probes , upper and lower, since they are the same and can replace each other. Therefore, if the problem is precisely the non-working second oxygen sensor, then the error code will change (alternatively, error P0134 may appear).

Secondly, fill up with other gasoline , of better quality, and drive a little (if it’s because of the fuel, then a couple of days will change the situation).

The third step towards troubleshooting can be checking the catalyst , or rather, its throughput (there are several methods). Internal catalyst failure usually occurs due to abnormal operation of the engine systems upstream of the catalyst. An increased operating temperature of the converter is usually the cause of both the appearance of this code and its failure. For example, misfires can lead to elevated catalyst operating temperatures.

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