Q: Engine light is on, Catalytic converter is bad. 2008 Jeep Wrangler

asked by on January 12, 2017

Recently while I was driving down the road my engine light came on. I took it to Auto Zone and they said it was a bad catalytic converter. Nothing seems to be wrong with the car, its running fine and my gas mileage hasn't dropped. Im wondering if I can fix it without replacing it. In addition to which converter its talking about the front or rear one.
My car has a manual transmission.

Catalytic Converter Replacement $288.41 - $1959.69 Get a Quote

Hi - on your Jeep the catalytic converter(s) - all 4 of them - are welded together as a single assembly, going from the engine manifolds, to the center muffler section. You don’t indicate your mileage, so it’s hard to determine whether excess mileage, or city stop-and-go driving are predominant. Check the engine codes to determine which specific cat is bad, but replacing the whole assembly is likely in order. Beyond the old "Italian tune-up", cats really can’t be cleaned. I recommend replacement of the catalytic converter assembly by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

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

Kill switch won't let me start car
Dealing with a troublesome alarm can be frustrating. Ultimately I would recommend purchasing a new remote key fob and having it programmed to your vehicle so you can have use of your alarm system. Until you are able to do...
Yukon--We have replaced the Throttle Position Sensor twice now and the engine light still comes on.
There could be a wiring issue in that area where the oil leak was. You did not mention the code number. You may have two concerns with the vehicle. The car jerking is related to the Check Engine Light being...
Engine Computer Issues (spark plugs & coils were changed 5 months ago as well).
Do you have ANY aftermarket electrical equipment in the car? Such components can impact the function of the PCM. Also, check the alternator output and stability. If the power supply to the PCM is not within specification, that could damage...
Check engine light came on. Had it checked and it was a right wheel speed sensor. Showed code error. Is this a serious problem?
Hi, thanks for writing in. With a failed wheel speed sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-wheel-speed-sensor), your anti-lock brakes, traction control and/or stability control systems will not function properly. These systems rely on wheel speed sensors to determine when and if braking needs to...
Terrible squealing upon cold start and for a few minutes while driving afterward.
Hello. The noise you are hearing is that new serpentine belt sliding and skipping on the pulleys they are driving. This is typically caused by the belt being loose, or a pulley refusing to turn freely. Your vehicle is equipped...
Advice on buying an 2007 Infiniti G35 due to maintenance
As you know, with any car the life expectancy of it depends largely on the maintenance schedule (https://www.yourmechanic.com/scheduled-maintenance) the owner has maintained, the driving conditions it is subjected to, the driving habits (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/top-10-bad-driving-habits-that-damage-your-car) of the owner and many other factors....
Car mixing gas in the oil. Could it be a blown head gasket?
Fuel is introduced into the combustion chamber at the top of the piston and any gasoline found in the oil pan has to travel passed the piston to get there. The piston rings must be worn very badly and this...
Won't crank and no power to fuel pump
Hello. Thank you for writing in. When it comes to a starting issue, always start by having the battery load tested. This tests it's ability to not only store power, but to use it. Once you know the battery is...
Front wheels don’t feel stable when driving . Black fluid coming out of both front tires, have taken it in twice for tire balance
If you are getting fluid from the tires themselves then someone put in a flat tire sealer to stop leaks and this will cause the tires to not balance out and will leak out fluid from tires. Have tires checked...

Related articles

What Does a Catalytic Converter Do?
The The modern automotive exhaust system is much more advanced than what was available even just a couple of decades ago. After recognizing that the average automobile was one of the primary sources of global pollution, the US government enacted...
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. 2012 Dodge Durango: Which One Should I Buy?
Medium to large SUVs are a fun class of vehicles: plenty large enough for moving people around, but if you really want to get out there in the mud and have some fun, they are still good for that type...
The Best Used Cars to Buy for Senior Citizens
Everyone Everyone needs a way to get around. You need to get groceries, get to doctors’ appointments, visit with family and more. However, senior citizens have very different needs when it comes to buying a used car than other demographics....