hey gearheads ! I just bought a '99 accord ex 4cyl and the check engine light stays on even after replacing the 02 sensor. the code po420 says catalytic converter. My question is should I replace it with an oem cat. or are universals compatible? thank ye kindly !

 

if your car has less than 80,000 miles on it, it will fall under the cat. conv. extended warranty. If you have over that miles, call honda cust. service and complain about it and they will most likely take care of it for you. I have a lot of my customers at the dealer I work at do that and get it fixed for free because honda knows there is a problem.

 

I talked to Honda customer service today and it seems my particular vin # is not included in the warranty batch. or so sayeth honda. your thoughts please.

 

I would highly reccomend an OEM unit as aftermarket tend to fail quick due to their cheap construction/internal materials.

 

our 99 Odyssey had the PO420 light come on about 20miles after we bought it, at 89k miles. obviously the seller knew it, and had just cleared it before we bought it.

I really could give a sh*t less about an inefficient cat. Performance and gas mileage is still good on our van. Instead of replacing it, I bought a O2 sensor simulator for $40 to get rid of the CEL. That's just because I'm a cheap bastard tho.

Whether you decide to replace it or just buy a simulator, do a search for topics under my username in the accord forum. I gave a couple links where to buy good ones for cheap. If I remember right, there was one for a 99 accord for like $160.

 

I think I would call back Honda and get more information. There was not a recall or anything, it is a FEDERAL law that catalytic converters are covered to 8yrs/80k miles. A converter will not cause any poor running problems, but the vehicle will never pass an emissions test, which is only a concern in some areas of the country. If you do replace the cat, only go with OEM. Aftermarkets don't last, and usually require alot of "adapting" to make fit.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HondaTechPro &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think I would call back Honda and get more information. There was not a recall or anything, it is a FEDERAL law that catalytic converters are covered to 8yrs/80k miles. A converter will not cause any poor running problems, but the vehicle will never pass an emissions test, which is only a concern in some areas of the country. If you do replace the cat, only go with OEM. Aftermarkets don't last, and usually require alot of "adapting" to make fit.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I think he knows about the 8/80 warranty, but his accord has 170k, if you read his other posts.

Also, even though it doesn't have to where I live, I guarantee the van would pass emissions (no CEL on because of sim) in my hometown in IL. Most ECUs' efficiency requirements for the cat, are more stringent than the emissions stations, probably to meet the accord/civic's LEV status. As soon as the 2ndary O2 detects increased emissions, PO420 gets set. If the light isn't on, the testing station won't have a clue as long as the sim is well hidden(which mine is).

As far as OEM only, those cats they sell at the honda dealer are not made by Honda America. They are outsourced. I found the exact same cat, made by the same OEM at http://www.all-catalytic-converters.com for $300 less than the deler, with a better warranty. Note this is not a universal unit, but a bolt-on exact replacement. I spoke to the rep on the phone to confirm.

 

I ordered an OE cat. con. from all cat. cons. com 2 days before your post. waiting for delivery. got a great price, 100's less than honda dealer. thanks for the advise nuc79. will let you know if it fits and if CEL goes out and stays off.