Chevrolet Impala - P0420
#1
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Granville, Ohio ~NEBF '07 Survivor~
Posts: 5,001
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![petraman is on a distinguished road](https://www.gmforum.com/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Default](https://www.gmforum.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Just got that code coming back from school today... P0420... Pretty sure it'* the cat since it'* been ticking lately, but I've been reading about Vital'* TPS sensor and I wanted to check it before I replaced the cat... I assume I'm supposed to put a voltmeter on it, but what am I looking for?
Ugh... Here we go again
Ugh... Here we go again
![Roll Eyes](https://www.gmforum.com/gm/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
#3
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Detroit MI
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![01bonne is on a distinguished road](https://www.gmforum.com/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Default](https://www.gmforum.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I got that same code about two months ago, hit a pothole and it went away. I've been kind of worried about ot lately but dont exactly know whats wrong, can anbody shed some light on hat needs to be replaced
#4
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Granville, Ohio ~NEBF '07 Survivor~
Posts: 5,001
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![petraman is on a distinguished road](https://www.gmforum.com/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Default](https://www.gmforum.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by 01bonne
I got that same code about two months ago, hit a pothole and it went away. I've been kind of worried about ot lately but dont exactly know whats wrong, can anbody shed some light on hat needs to be replaced
Just took a 250 mile trip, hasn't come on yet... Still thinking it'* the TPS sensor, but we'll see...
#5
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Granville, Ohio ~NEBF '07 Survivor~
Posts: 5,001
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![petraman is on a distinguished road](https://www.gmforum.com/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Default](https://www.gmforum.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by petraman
I assume I'm supposed to put a voltmeter on (the throttle position sensor), but what am I looking for?(voltage wise)
![Wink](https://www.gmforum.com/gm/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
Just got the code again, want to make it go away for EVVVVVER
#6
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Meridian, ID
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![jshelton54 is on a distinguished road](https://www.gmforum.com/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Default](https://www.gmforum.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Nothing to do with the TPS sensor. It is a cat only code. Could be the spark plug wire being too close to the O2 wires, but you will get the same code with either a bad cat, or even with a high flow cat as well. You can either replace it with a stock cat, get an O2 emulator or get a PT and tune out the code to get rid of it forever. Won't effect you performance. Just an emissions thing.
#7
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Granville, Ohio ~NEBF '07 Survivor~
Posts: 5,001
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![petraman is on a distinguished road](https://www.gmforum.com/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Default](https://www.gmforum.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Still, I'd like to know how to test my TPS... I'm probably just gonna get the code removed next weekend, since I'm getting a catted downpipe this summer...
#8
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Meridian, ID
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![jshelton54 is on a distinguished road](https://www.gmforum.com/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Default](https://www.gmforum.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
There is a way that you can test it by checking it'* resistance with an Ohm meter. I can't remeber what it is exactly though so I will let someone else pipe in. Seems like it was 5mv or .5mv......somthing.
#9
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Granville, Ohio ~NEBF '07 Survivor~
Posts: 5,001
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![petraman is on a distinguished road](https://www.gmforum.com/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Default](https://www.gmforum.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Wasn't my tps sensor... Damn, now I have no clue...
This is what'* happening with my car right now. My car shifts really oddly, and it'* been doing it ever since I owned my car (even with the new tranny...). Sometimes it shifts nice and crisp (what it'* supposed to do with the Intense PCM) and other times it shifts soft like it'* a stock PCM. Also, whenever I let off the throttle when I want to slow down, the RPMs like to flunctuate between 700-1500 rpm. Up and down up and down... Also, sometimes it seems VERY sluggish (could be due to the fact it needs a tune up, but I wanted to include that...) Any ideas?
Still getting that P0420.
This is what'* happening with my car right now. My car shifts really oddly, and it'* been doing it ever since I owned my car (even with the new tranny...). Sometimes it shifts nice and crisp (what it'* supposed to do with the Intense PCM) and other times it shifts soft like it'* a stock PCM. Also, whenever I let off the throttle when I want to slow down, the RPMs like to flunctuate between 700-1500 rpm. Up and down up and down... Also, sometimes it seems VERY sluggish (could be due to the fact it needs a tune up, but I wanted to include that...) Any ideas?
Still getting that P0420.
#10
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Meridian, ID
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![jshelton54 is on a distinguished road](https://www.gmforum.com/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Default](https://www.gmforum.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Trans issues are not my fortee'. Is it doing this under the alternating under the same throttle amount?? Because under light throttle conditions it will shift much softer and will shift harder and more crisp under heavy throttle. But is sounds like maybe it is just being random? Have you checked your fluid level, color and smell? Could be a tune up thing. Have you checked your plugs and wires. Like it was said before if you have a crappy plug wire in the rear touching or close to the O2 sensor you will get that code. Other wise you have to figure out if it is the cat, delete the code, or get an emulator.