Thread: How to pass emissions with an engine light on for the catalytic converter

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  1. #1 How to pass emissions with an engine light on for the catalytic converter 
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    For 3 years I have had my 2008 Pontiac grand Prix and just recently bought a new car and have given this car to my son as his first car since he only drives around town.He has put a lot of money into it already and the last thing this car needs is to pass NJ inspection. The code seems to refer to the catalytic converter. I have replaced both O2 sensors, and a bunch of other ones but still the code remains. My son bought a bottle of cataclean last week and the light still hasnt gone away. Im still not convinced the problem is the CC because there is no rotten egg smell and a bunch of other tests that they say to try dont prove its bad either. But the auto places we have brought it to insist it is. This car has just about 195k miles on it and not sure how much more life it has. How much would a new CC cost if I bought the part and did it myself? its not a welded on one, it looks like its just clamped on. Is there any "hacks" that could be done to make it pass emissions? What's your thought?
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    John
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  2. #2 Re: How to pass emissions with an engine light on for the catalytic converter 
    GTP Level Member wowitsfast's Avatar
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    Look up the replacement on Amazon eBay or rockauto. Can defiantly do it yourself. Shouldn't cost to much and shouldn't take to long...

    Hack would be to spray penetrating lube on the nuts and studs the day before you plan on doing the work.. and do it a few times. then don't drive it untill your done.

    Or you can delete the code and hope it doesn't come back.. I've had my scanner in the car with me and deleted the code right before I got waved in.. worked lol

    Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk
    Just a bunch of junk thrown together http://www.grandprixforums.com/membe...ht=wowitsfasts
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  3. #3 Re: How to pass emissions with an engine light on for the catalytic converter 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    it could be the rear o2 but with those miles, it could be the cat, if na, its deff the cat.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  4. #4 Re: How to pass emissions with an engine light on for the catalytic converter 
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    Sounds like you have an aftermarket replacement CAT. It could be and probably is working perfectly fine. However, the PCM does not like the flow of an aftermarket CAT.

    Toss in a "Spark plug non-fouler" and see if that makes the computer happy.
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  5. #5 Re: How to pass emissions with an engine light on for the catalytic converter 
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    In New Jersey, the only thing they really care about to pass inspection is that your emissions are good and that your engine light is not on. I've also heard that even if you pop the battery for a half hour until the code goes out, inspection stations will still be able to detect the code in the ECM if you just did it. However, if the code doesn't come back after a few days, you may be in the clear. My code comes back every 50 or so miles. Is there anyone from NJ out there who has passed inspection by clearing the code and then immediately gone to get it inspected?
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  6. #6 Re: How to pass emissions with an engine light on for the catalytic converter 
    Solving problems BrandonHall10's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jamccor View Post
    Is there anyone from NJ out there who has passed inspection by clearing the code and then immediately gone to get it inspected?
    Trust me, I am all to familiar with the emissions inspection game. All of what I'm about to say is assuming you have an OBDII test and visual inspection.

    Resetting the the computer by disconnecting the battery will not get you to pass. After disconnecting the battery, the PCM will need to complete a "drive cycle" or "self test"

    One of two things will happen:
    You drive the vehicle to the testing station before the self test is complete - No pass
    You drive the vehicle long enough to complete the sef test, it trips a MIL - No pass
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  7. #7 Re: How to pass emissions with an engine light on for the catalytic converter 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    wont pass on a clear and drive in here in NJ. all systems need to show "ready".

    whats the code? p0420? thats the cat code. clamped on cat dont sound so good. still could be the rear o2 sensor, if the cat is a hi flow cat the rear o2 is getting pissy about it. this is where the spark plug anti fouler comes into play.

    herers a how to on that trick


    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  8. #8 Re: How to pass emissions with an engine light on for the catalytic converter 
    Donating Users Bronco Boy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jamccor View Post
    Im still not convinced the problem is the CC because there is no rotten egg smell
    They don't always smell when they are bad.

    I've had this in for 8 years now....

    How to pass emissions with an engine light on for the catalytic converter Attached Images
    Chris B
    2009 CX-9
    ** SOLD ** 2002 GT
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  9. #9 Re: How to pass emissions with an engine light on for the catalytic converter 
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    My son brought the car to a local shop and they confirmed that the catalytic converter is bad. They want $700 for labor and parts on a new one. Is this a good price and will a new one definitely fix the check engine light?
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  10. #10 Re: How to pass emissions with an engine light on for the catalytic converter 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    price seems high, id just buy a walker replacement cat and dp and install it, or have the shop install it. that way they cant mark up the price of the down pipe.

    its a pretty easy job, literally 4 bolts and two rubber hangers. the two cat back bolts generally break, so you'll want a pair of new bolts and a gasket.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  11. #11 Re: How to pass emissions with an engine light on for the catalytic converter 
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    Cat is a few hundred at best. Labour is 1-2 hours at best. That gets you in the $400 range. Their quote is ridiculous, unless they are providing some other services for the price.
    Chris B
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  12. #12 Re: How to pass emissions with an engine light on for the catalytic converter 
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    I’ve remember reading somewhere that if you don’t get a certain kind of catalytic converter than the engine light won’t turn off. Is this true? There was a post on some forum where the person had the same code as I’m getting and even after changing it the light would not turn off. Even after both O2 sensors were replaced as well. I would have no problem doing the job myself as long as I was sure I could get the converter at a good price and that it would get me through inspection.
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  13. #13 Re: How to pass emissions with an engine light on for the catalytic converter 
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    Don't know how true it is, but many on this forum have said the same thing. I seem to recall it being the cheaper/crappier converters? Hopefully one of them can chime in.
    Chris B
    2009 CX-9
    ** SOLD ** 2002 GT
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  14. #14 Re: How to pass emissions with an engine light on for the catalytic converter 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    if you get a hi flow cat you will set a cat code in 01 up cars for sure. the spark plug anti fouler can fix that issue too.

    older cars dont seem to have a issue with them as much, might pop up one in a blue moon. clear it drive on. you can get al these codes tuned out and the cat test disabled if its a 01-03 car.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  15. #15 Re: How to pass emissions with an engine light on for the catalytic converter 
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    Scottydoggs
    Do you think that the inspection station will notice the anti fouler? I know that the station up by me had this long mirror that they use too look under the car. I would rather pay a couple bucks for the anti fouler than for a new converter.
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  16. #16 Re: How to pass emissions with an engine light on for the catalytic converter 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    they dont care about that, the mirror is to see if you have a cat. my state place here has a HD cam in the floor, as they drive over it theres a monitor they look at to see your cat.

    pretty much all they care about in NJ is the cel is off.

    if you wanted to come up here for inspection i could delete them codes for ya. i still have a dhp.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  17. #17 Re: How to pass emissions with an engine light on for the catalytic converter 
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    My son actually bought a code puller to read and erase codes. Don’t know if they’re all the same or not. So I’m your opinion it’s definitely worth it to go with the plug non fouler?
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  18. #18 Re: How to pass emissions with an engine light on for the catalytic converter 
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    id give it a shot. if you clear the codes, you have to wait for all systems to become "ready" then you can go to inspection. if they dont show ready they know you just cleared the codes and they fail you. the scanner should show "IM readiness" or something else that shows systems ready.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  19. #19 Re: How to pass emissions with an engine light on for the catalytic converter 
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    Thanks Scotty. Will give it a try in the next week or two.
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  20. #20 Re: How to pass emissions with an engine light on for the catalytic converter 
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    Scotty
    I’m having one hell of a time trying to get the O2 sensor out of the CC. My son just had it replaced 2 months ago and they tightened the hell out of it. We bought the de fouler and for the life of me I can’t loosen this sensor. Unfortunately I don’t have access to a torch but I’m trying with a home made breaker bar. This sensor isn’t reverse thread is it?
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