Catalyst System Effeciency Below Threshold?

[D.J.]

This is the message that keeps occuring on a 2001 Dodge Neon. I don't want to replace the cat. converter are there any other cheats I could use on this to keep the check engine light from occuring? Thanks in advance for your responses!
Thanks Again D.J.

 

[rngr4x4beast]

not that i no of just let it stay on and wen it comes time for inspection take the bulb out get it passed and put it back in

 

[D.J.]

Well I may just pull the converter off of the 1988 Mazda MX6 and see if I can install it and see if it will eliminate the code on the Neon?

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

Put a spacer on the O2 sensor.

The spacer on the post cat O2 pulls the sensor from the exhaust stream. Makes it "see" less O2.

This is commonly used on cat-less cars, but it is a cheap fix for a bad non-plugged cat.

You might be able to find spark plug spacers in your local AP store in the "Help" section. You'll need 2 of those or you could just buy this...
http://www.amsperformance.com/cart/AMS-O2-Sensor-Spacer.html

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

you can make the light go out by fixing the REAL problem too........ just a thought

 

[BlackBII]

you can make the light go out by fixing the REAL problem too........ just a thought

x2

Why not just fix the ACTUAL issue?

 

[03ranger4x4]

i wonder if this is a typical trend on some vehicles that the cat converters go about every ten years or so? I used to have an 87 bronco II, and the guy i bought it from gave me all the receipts on majors repairs he had done to it. on of which was from 1997, to get the converters replaced. Oddly enough, i bought the truck in 2006, and come 2007 i had a problem with no power...turned out to be clogged converters? 1987-1997, the converters had to be replaced. 1997-2007 the convertors went again.. just a thought!

 

[D.J.]

So you last two guys are saying to just install a new converter in it?

 

[kevinsranger]

i know there are o2 sims available for some cars, basically just a resistor, i can give you a link to ones for a bmw but not sure where you would put them in a neon harness.

we use them to keep the codes from popping up when going catless turbo downpipes

 

[adsm08]

In my experience about 90% of cat efficiency codes are the downstream sensor, not the converter.

the 88 mazda converter won't work, its the wrong kind. Its a two way, the Neon will probably have a 3 way and just produce cat efficiency codes. Get a new sensor and try that.