P0432/P0422 Codes Help!
I need help finding the source of the issue.
All started after the dreaded gas smell/leak inside the cabin after a full tank fill up.
The check engine light followed a few miles later no more than 30 miles. Maybe a coincidence.
I did not bother to check for what code was being thrown given the fact I needed to replace the fuel sending unit and was going to wait until the obvious issue was resolved to make sure the check engine light was not cause by the fuel leakage.
I drove the car about 50 miles before replacing the FSU.
Once replaced I reset the ECU. Check engine light was gone.
Drove the car 20 miles and the light came back on. I repeated the reset and after 20 more miles did it again...
Got the ECU scanned for codes. P0432 and P0422 showed up:
P0422 - Main Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
P0432 Main Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2)
The car is not moded. Has 64,000 miles.
Spark plugs have not been replaced.
RPM is steady, Idle not perceivably rough.
Here is what "logic" tells me:
I highly doubt that both sides Cats and/or both sides CO2 sensors went bad at the same time. What are the odds?!

Having said that, would a bad MAP sensor or a bad charcoal canister pressure valve, aka. Purge Valve cause this codes?
Please any suggestions are welcome. I have read many threads regarding similar issues and all i see is dealers and indis changing parts galore until MAYBE they hit the jackpot and fix it but after $$$$$ have been spent. Yes im off warranty...
Thanks in advanced.
Last edited by Luna22; Sep 18, 2012 at 08:46 PM.
My first thought is bad cats, as I have seen in the past. First step is to read out your secondary 02s and see how they are reacting.
Here's an idea, get some headers, and just be done with those cats and rear o2s!




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Last edited by pearlpower; Sep 19, 2012 at 12:03 AM.
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* Unfortunately the car is 2003. Doesn't qualified for free replacement.
* No mods, only K&Ns.
No cats sounds enticing but I think I'm ready to sell the car. Love the car but i sich cars often.
Pearlpower: I'm leaning towards A/F since the cel coincided with the FSU taking a crap.
While I hope is not cats and find it weird both get faulty at once, I;ll have them checked out.
I refused to believe that both O2 or both Cats went bad at once so I proceeded to check for vac leaks and found nothing.
I also rubber malet the cats to hear for lose element inside, sounded solid. No rotten eggs smell...
I finally decided to check for exhaust leaks with nothing obvious showing up.
Finally, I while bad O2 throw a different CEL I was going to do a volt test of the sensors. When i went to remove the first sensor i noticed it was loose on the bung! i hoped the other bank sensor was also loose. YES! it was also very loose.
I took the sensors out and cleaned them and properly installing them back post Cat.
Reset the ECU and went for a ride and the check engine light cambe back on but knowing how O2 sensors can take longer to warm up i decided to reset ECU again and go for a 90mph highway drive with hard pulls. 50 miles later, the CEL has not been back.
Thanks all. Hope this helps the next with a similar issue.
I refused to believe that both O2 or both Cats went bad at once so I proceeded to check for vac leaks and found nothing.
I also rubber malet the cats to hear for lose element inside, sounded solid. No rotten eggs smell...
I finally decided to check for exhaust leaks with nothing obvious showing up.
Finally, I while bad O2 throw a different CEL I was going to do a volt test of the sensors. When i went to remove the first sensor i noticed it was loose on the bung! i hoped the other bank sensor was also loose. YES! it was also very loose.
I took the sensors out and cleaned them and properly installing them back post Cat.
Reset the ECU and went for a ride and the check engine light cambe back on but knowing how O2 sensors can take longer to warm up i decided to reset ECU again and go for a 90mph highway drive with hard pulls. 50 miles later, the CEL has not been back.
Thanks all. Hope this helps the next with a similar issue.
My first thought is bad cats, as I have seen in the past. First step is to read out your secondary 02s and see how they are reacting.
Here's an idea, get some headers, and just be done with those cats and rear o2s!





