01 pathy 3.5 p0420 p0430 cat effency ???

[jstokes8407]

My G/F just got a 01 pathfinder it has a bunch of codes when we got it. THe normal vct sensors and a bank 2 n 2 o2 sensor codes. Repaced bolth 02 monitors what a pain in the assssssssss. Auto parts stores couldn't get the right ones so the gave me build your oun 1's so I spliced them into the car. Now I don't have the o2 monitor faults any more but I got Bolth banks cat6 effenicy codes ? Is there a PCM update to fix this. I work for ford and that usually fixes them. Thanks guys

[audtatious]

While I am not sure if there is a update for it (I'm sure someone else will step in), I can offer you the ECM pages for the codes if you have not seen them yet.

http://www.nicoclub.com/Matt/p0420-p0430.pdf

[letmeno]

I have same exact problem..... so how do you exactly interpret this maintenance bulletin?? Would an ECM reprogram work?? I cant believe that all of a sudden both cats are bad…….. anyone know?

[SilverPathy]

I have the same problem/code. Keep us updated if/when you fix this problem, as will I.

[SilverPathy]

I recently had the same problem. You're best bet is to call your local Nissan Dealership and have it diagnosed. It turned out that my ECU needed a reflash and that's covered under my warranty. So my suggestion is to call the dealership it might be covered under warranty.

[elwesso]

I recently had the same problem. You're best bet is to call your local Nissan Dealership and have it diagnosed. It turned out that my ECU needed a reflash and that's covered under my warranty. So my suggestion is to call the dealership it might be covered under warranty.

yep this is a common problem.... You usually end up replacing the o2 sensors and having the reflash done.

[ominouspride]

I recently ran into this problem with my 2001 pathy with 150k miles on it. I was hoping that I just needed a reflash of the ecu but the dealer told me that the driver side main cat needed to be replaced. They quoted me at $920 (740)part (180)labor. I'm not rich so I decided to postpone the repair and see if I can find an oem replacement. After lots of research I found that in CA, where I currently reside, non of the oem replacement parts are legal. The only legal cat had to be purchased at the dealership. So I called a local muffler shop and see what they could do. They told me that the could get the part for me at cost ($625) and install for $50. I decided to hold off and make sure I couldn't get a cheap used cat anywhere else... I found a place that sold Re-Certified pathfinder Cats that were CA legal for $350, but they haven't had that part in stock for awhile.

Finally I decided to go ahead and get the repair done at the local muffler shop. However, after the muffler shop did some research, they reported back to me that my pre-cat could also be bad as the chain of failures usually starts from there and then goes to the catalytic converter. They are now in the process of diagnosing my car. I'm taking it there in 2 days. Luckily their diagnosis will be free unlike the dealership where the charged me $98.

This is an old thread but I hope that my experience may help someone down the road, should they ever run into my situation.

I will come back and update this and give the total of what seemingly will be an expensive journey ahead.

[ominouspride]

3/16/08Here's the update on the cat.

I went to the muffler shop (awesome crew by the way) and they found a hole through the core of the catalytic converter on the driver's side. They even showed me the hole! The back cat was actually fine, its actually the pre-cat that needs to be replaced. Nissan told me it was the rear.

Ed, the exhaust mechanic argues that how couldn't have been the rear cat, because the O2 sensors surround the pre-cat so how could it tell that the rear cat efficiency is low.

As for the hole in the pre-cat, we both believe that because my car had recently had a blown head gasket (fixed about a year ago), and coolant was being burned the let out through the exhaust, it caused the core of the cat to deteriorate. He advised me to replace all of the O2 sensors eventually as these sensors can't be cleaned and could have been tainted by the burned coolant.

Well the cost for the repair is $625 (their cost for a nissan pre cat, bolts and gaskets) and $100 for labor.