P1420 on Civic Hybrid
 

Dear Forum members,

I have a 2003 Civic Hybrid with 150,000 miles. About 6 months back when the car had about 140,000 miles, I had a IMA and hybrid battery problem. I bought a battery from a totaled car and replaced it myself. The car was running good and is giving 40 miles /gallon.

Recently, I had check engine, I used a OBD II tool and read it as P1420. I reset it and drove. Check engine did not show for at least 1000 miles, I came again and read again to P1420. I reset it again. For the third time, it came back but this time it came back in about 700 miles.

What is this P1420 code? Any help to fix it is highly appreciated.

Thanks

RNM

Re: P1420 on Civic Hybrid
 

Google is your friend....

P1420 NOx CATAYZER PERFORMANCE
(NOx ADSORPTIVE CATALYST SYSTEM EFFICIENCY BELOW THRESHOLD)
Catalyst Temperature Sensor Failure

Re: P1420 on Civic Hybrid
 

Thanks.

Is it bad to keep driving? How much it may cost to get it fixed?

Best,
RNM

Re: P1420 on Civic Hybrid
 

It may pollute a bit more and will fail the next emission test.That depends on whether you need the temperature sensor (Usually less than $50) or a new catalytic (very expensive - it is against the law to install a used catalytic).

JeffD

Re: P1420 on Civic Hybrid
 

Thanks.

If this is a costly fix, I may have to drive a while.

Is it bad to drive the car for a while before fixing?

Best,
RNM

Re: P1420 on Civic Hybrid
 

You may want to try taking the car in to a Honda dealership to see if you can get the software update for TSB 07-036. You should be able to find it on a google search. It deals with the error code you are getting.

Problem is the original software may misinterpret sensor inputs as a deteriorated 3-way catalytic converter or deteriorated NOx adsorptive catalyst. For a 2003 Civic hybrid ULEV you would see DTC code P1420.

(this info according to the above-mentioned TSB)

Re: P1420 on Civic Hybrid
 

Thanks everyone. I am now clear and see what I can do about the software update. If the code comes back again after the SW update, I will surely get it fixed. Nice car. Would love to keep it for a while.

Best,
RNM