Q: Check Engine Light P0420 trouble code

asked by on November 10, 2016

i have 2011 nissan altima. About a month ago the CES light came on and was on for about two weeks. I just purchased a new transmission less than 5 months ago so I thought there may be an issue with it. It took it back to the dealership immediately. They ran a diagnostic check on it and informed me that the error code is PO420, and that I may be able to get it repaired cheaper at a muffler shop. However, I have not had the income to get it repaired yet. A week later the CES light went off by itself. Now, three weeks later it has come on again. Could something other than the catalytic converter be causing the CES light to come on?

My car has 138000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Hi there, thanks for writing in. Typically, a P0420 code (catalyst efficiency insufficient) is the catalytic converter not properly functioning. Chances are, the Check Engine Light going off and then back on, it’s still the P0420 code that is present. An exhaust leak(s) and rarely O2 sensor faults, can also cause this code to set. To avoid any unnecessary repairs, I recommend having your vehicle’s P0420 trouble code be diagnosed and repaired by a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Car shuts off while driving
Hello. This comes up often on your vehicle. The most common cause of your car suddenly shutting off is a bad main relay. This can also be caused by a failing sensor or distributor, but that is not as common....
extremely loud high pitched sound from front of car like broken fan belt but way louder
It sounds like you may have a tensioner pulley and belt problem. The tensioner bearing may be seized causing the belt to squeal really bad. Have the belt and components in the engine checked to isolate the noise (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/loud-squealing-or-rattling-is-coming-from-engine-inspection) before...
Occasionally will not start
I am assuming when you say it won't start in this case, the motor will not turn. It's an important distinction to make. Is it a "Crank no start", or is it a "No crank". With the crank no start,...
Car won't start with a loud clicking sound coming from starter
A starter like any other mechanical and electrical part is subject to failure sometimes for no apparent reason. However, sometimes this is misdiagnosed as well and often mistaken for something much more simple like a fuse or starter relay. The...
Car making a low noticeable sound at speeds between 55 km/hr to 70km/hr.
Hi there: Diagnosing 'noises' remotely is one of the more difficult things to do for any mechanic. However, there are a few things which could cause this noise, ranging from loose motor mounts, loose serpentine or drive belt, pulley's or...
My Appt on Friday
Sent information to CS about the appointment schedule.
Is it bad to drive a car that needs a valve adjustment?
Hi there. If the valvetrain is out of adjustment or the lifters are stuck and making a tapping noise on the top of the engine, then that could damage the engine when driven. I recommend changing the engine oil and...
The back-up camera on our 2011 Ford Edge shows shows images upside down or a blank screen 50% of the time. How do we fix this?
Hello, thank you for writing in. Issues like this are typically related to electrical issues, or programming issues. Both can cause you symptoms, and similar problems. In these situations, there may be several things you have to try until you...
My seat won’t recline forward 2007 Nissan altima
If you have a non-powered seat, the cause could be mechanical in nature and involve levers and/or the seat track. If you have a powered seat, depending on exactly what you mean by "recline" the problem could be electrical and/or...

Related articles

P0028 OBD-II Trouble Code: Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 2)
P0028 P0028 trouble code definition Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 2) What the P0028 code means P0028 is the OBD-II generic code indicating the engine control module (ECM) has determined that the variable valve lift for the intake...
P2785 OBD-II Trouble Code: Clutch Actuator Temp Too High
P2785 means that the temperature for the clutch actuator has exceeded the recommended limits due to worn out clutches, or overheating engines.
P0823 OBD-II Trouble Code: Gear Lever X Position Circuit
P0823 means the PCM registered a fault in the transmission shift mechanism, caused by faulty shift/torque converter solenoids, or speed sensors.