So a couple days ago I noticed that my van was running a bit off. No stalling or anything like that, but the engine wasn't running quite as smoothly as normal. Every so often there would be a momentary hiccup where the RPMs sounded like they drop for a fraction of a second and then return. Like:
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr|!|rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr|!|rrrr|!|rrrrrrrrrrrrrrr|!|rrrrrrrrrr
It turns out I had a spark plug wire that had the metal clip which connects to the plug, making intermittent contact with the actual plug wire it's supposed to be crimped onto inside the rubber boot. Apparently when I did my plugs and wires last year, I must've confused one of the wires and I ended up putting one of the original/OEM wires BACK into the van and must've thrown out the new one, without even realizing it. Because the plug that failed was clearly not one of the new Bosch ones that all five of the other ones have.
So, I was able to fix the spark plug wire because you can't buy just one spark plug wire- you have to buy an entire set which I don't want to do. I repaired it and attached the metal clip. When I put the repaired plug wire back on the van, it immediately stopped running roughly and ran smooth as ever. Problem solved [I thought], at least until I can stomach purchasing a whole other set of wires for just this one.
Well... that was yesterday. I drove the van around all this morning and this afternoon fine, absolutely no issue at all. Then a few hours ago, my check-engine light turned on with a P0420 code. According to my research:
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P0420 = Catalyst efficiency low-bank 1
Explanation: The oxygen sensors monitor the catalytic converter's ability to store oxygen.
Probable Cause:
Here's what I don't understand. The CEL never once came on when the van had the misfire problem due to that faulty wire. The van has been fixed, and it's not misfiring anymore... then almost a day after it's repaired **NOW** the CEL comes on saying that the misfire is possibly what's causing this.
I highly doubt it is related to #4 [Engine Oil Leakage] because of the fact that the van does not appear to be burning oil, and nothing indicating such a leak is coming out of the tail pipe.
Concerning #3, I feel like if the van had a "large vacuum leak" it would be experience a host of other problems, the least of which would be stalling whenever the van comes to a stop. Which, it's not doing either.
So that brings me back to #1, Engine Misfire or Running Condition. But again, the van isn't misfiring anymore. So, just to verify it isn't a code left over from if it came on and I didn't notice while it was misfiring, I cleared the codes by removing the battery and IOD fuse. When I put them back in and started the van, the CEL wasn't lit. However after it ran for about 20 seconds, the CEL came back on with the same code.
My only other thought would be something is going wrong with the O2 sensors, since they are the ones obviously sensing this problem and reporting it. But, my research also indicates that there are at least 16 seperate diagnostic trouble codes devoted soley to O2-sensor problems, none of which I'm getting. Which leads to me think the O2 sensors aren't an issue.
Of course, the catalytic converter could have just up and died. But... the van doesn't have that many miles on it in the scheme of things and it's not an ancient vehicle [2000].
So now, I'm confused. Help!
So, I was able to fix the spark plug wire because you can't buy just one spark plug wire- you have to buy an entire set which I don't want to do. I repaired it and attached the metal clip. When I put the repaired plug wire back on the van, it immediately stopped running roughly and ran smooth as ever. Problem solved [I thought], at least until I can stomach purchasing a whole other set of wires for just this one.
Well... that was yesterday. I drove the van around all this morning and this afternoon fine, absolutely no issue at all. Then a few hours ago, my check-engine light turned on with a P0420 code. According to my research:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P0420 = Catalyst efficiency low-bank 1
Explanation: The oxygen sensors monitor the catalytic converter's ability to store oxygen.
Probable Cause:
- Catalytic converter defective (failure possibly due to # 2,3, or 4)
- Engine misfire or running condition
- Large vacuum leak
- Engine oil leakage into exhaust-valve guide, seals, piston rings
Here's what I don't understand. The CEL never once came on when the van had the misfire problem due to that faulty wire. The van has been fixed, and it's not misfiring anymore... then almost a day after it's repaired **NOW** the CEL comes on saying that the misfire is possibly what's causing this.
I highly doubt it is related to #4 [Engine Oil Leakage] because of the fact that the van does not appear to be burning oil, and nothing indicating such a leak is coming out of the tail pipe.
Concerning #3, I feel like if the van had a "large vacuum leak" it would be experience a host of other problems, the least of which would be stalling whenever the van comes to a stop. Which, it's not doing either.
So that brings me back to #1, Engine Misfire or Running Condition. But again, the van isn't misfiring anymore. So, just to verify it isn't a code left over from if it came on and I didn't notice while it was misfiring, I cleared the codes by removing the battery and IOD fuse. When I put them back in and started the van, the CEL wasn't lit. However after it ran for about 20 seconds, the CEL came back on with the same code.
My only other thought would be something is going wrong with the O2 sensors, since they are the ones obviously sensing this problem and reporting it. But, my research also indicates that there are at least 16 seperate diagnostic trouble codes devoted soley to O2-sensor problems, none of which I'm getting. Which leads to me think the O2 sensors aren't an issue.
Of course, the catalytic converter could have just up and died. But... the van doesn't have that many miles on it in the scheme of things and it's not an ancient vehicle [2000].
So now, I'm confused. Help!