05–174

DIAGNOSTICS – SFI SYSTEM 05DJU–01

DTC P0420 CATALYST SYSTEM EFFICIENCY BELOW

THRESHOLD (BANK 1)

CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
The ECM compares the 2 waveforms of the heated oxygen sensors located before and after the catalyst
to determine whether or not the catalyst performance has deteriorated.
Air–fuel ratio feedback compensation keeps the waveform of the heated oxygen sensor in front of the cata-
lyst alternates between back and forth, from RICH to LEAN.
If the catalyst is functioning normally, the waveform of the heated oxygen sensor behind the catalyst switches
back and forth between RICH and LEAN much more slowly than the waveform of the heated oxygen sensor
in front of the catalyst.
When both waveforms change at a similar rate, it indicates that the catalyst performance has deteriorated.
DTC No. DTC Detecting Condition Trouble Area
After engine and catalyst are warmed up, and while vehicle is

Gas leakage in exhaust system
driven within set vehicle and engine speed range, waveforms
P0420
Heated oxygen sensor
of heated oxygen sensors have same amplitude (2 trip detec-

Three–way catalytic converter
tion logic)

MONITOR DESCRIPTION
The vehicle is equipped with the two heated oxygen sensors (O2S). One is mounted upstream from the
three–way catalytic (TWC) converter’s (front heated oxygen sensor ”sensor 1”), the second is mounted
downstream (rear heated oxygen sensor ”sensor 2”). The catalyst efficiency monitor compares the sensor
1 and 2 signals in order to calculate TWC ability to store oxygen.
During normal operation, the TWC stores and releases oxygen as needed. This results in low oxygen varia-
tions in the post TWC exhaust stream as shown.

Waveform of Heated Waveform of Heated

Oxygen Sensor Oxygen Sensor
(before Catalyst) Normal Catalyst
(after Catalyst)

Waveform of Heated Waveform of Heated

Oxygen Sensor Oxygen Sensor
(before Catalyst) Deteriorated Catalyst (after Catalyst)

A83860
2004 SCION xB REPAIR MANUAL (RM1031U)

Author: Date: 334

 05–175
DIAGNOSTICS – SFI SYSTEM

Heated Oxygen Sensor Signal Length

Signal Length

Sensor
Output
Voltage

Time
A82718

MONITOR STRATEGY
Related DTCs P0420 Bank 1 catalyst is deterioration
Main sensors Front and rear heated oxygen sensor
Mass air flow sensor, engine coolant temperature
Required sensors/components
Related sensors sensor, engine speed sensor, intake air tempera-
ture sensor
Frequency of operation Once per driving cycles
Duration 90 sec
MIL operation 2 driving cycles
Sequence of operation None

TYPICAL ENABLING CONDITIONS

Specification
Item
Minimum Maximum
The monitor will run whenever the follow-
See ”List of Disable a Monitor” table (On page 05–24)
ing DTCs are not present
Battery voltage 11 V –
Intake air temperature –10C (14F) –
Idle OFF
Intake air amount 8 g/sec 25 g/sec
Engine speed – 4,500 rpm
Engine coolant temperature 75C (167F) –
Estimated catalyst temperature conditions
1 and 2
are met:
1. Estimated temperature of upstream cat-
470C (878F) 800C (1,472F)
alyst
2. Estimated temperature of downstream
470C (878F) 800C (1,472F)
catalyst
Fuel system status Closed loop
Accumulated time with above parameters
30 sec × 2 times
are met

TYPICAL MALFUNCTION THRESHOLDS

Detection Criteria Threshold
Catalyst deterioration level (heated oxygen sensor locus
0.3 or more
length ratio)
Number of times detection 2 times

2004 SCION xB REPAIR MANUAL (RM1031U)

Author: Date: 335

05–176
DIAGNOSTICS – SFI SYSTEM

COMPONENT OPERATING RANGE

Parameter Standard Value
Catalyst deterioration level (heated oxygen sensor locus
0 to 1
length ratio)

MONITOR RESULT (MODE 06 DATA)

Conversion fac-
Test ID Comp ID Description of test data Description of test limit Unit
tor
Catalyst deterioration (bank 1) lev- Multiply by
Malfunction criteria for catalyst de-
$01 $01 el determined by waveforms of the – 0.007812
terioration
heated oxygen sensor. (no dimension)

Refer to page 05–26 for detailed information on CHECKING MONITOR STATUS.

CONFIRMATION DRIVING PATTERN

Engine Speed

(c) (d)
2,500 to 3,000 rpm

(b)
Idling
Ignition OFF
(a)
Warmed up 3 minutes Check Time
A58693

(a) Connect the hand–held tester to the DLC3, or connect the

probe of the oscilloscope between terminals HTL, HTL2,
OXL1, OXL2 and E1 of the ECM connector.
(b) Start the engine and warm it up with all the accessories
switched OFF until the engine coolant temperature be-
comes stable.
(c) Run the engine at 2,500 to 3,000 rpm for about 3 minutes.
(d) After confirming that the waveform of the bank 1 sensor
1 (OXL1) which oscillates between 0 V and 1 V under a
feedback to the ECM, check the waveform of the bank 1
sensor 2 (OXL2).
HINT:
OX Signal Waveform (Oscilloscope) If there is malfunction in the system, the waveform of ”sensor
2” (OXL2) may become a similar to the one of ”sensor1” (OXL1)
1.0 V shown in the diagram on the left.

0V

200 msec. /Division A58694

2004 SCION xB REPAIR MANUAL (RM1031U)

Author: Date: 336

 05–177
DIAGNOSTICS – SFI SYSTEM

INSPECTION PROCEDURE
HINT:
Read freeze frame data using the hand−held tester or the OBD II scan tool. Freeze frame data records the
engine conditions when a malfunction is detected. When troubleshooting, it is useful for determining whether
the vehicle was running or stopped, the engine was warmed up or not, the air–fuel ratio was lean or rich,
etc. at the time of the malfunction.
1 CHECK OTHER DTCS OUTPUT(IN ADDITION TO DTC P0420)

(a) Connect the hand–held tester or the OBD II scan tool to the DLC3.
(b) Turn the ignition switch ON and push the hand–held tester or the OBD II scan tool main switch ON.
(c) Select the item ”DIAGNOSIS / OBD/MOBD / DTC INFO / CURRENT CODES”.
(d) Read the DTCs using the hand–held tester or the OBD II scan tool.
Result:
Display (DTC output) Proceed to
Only ”P0420” is output A
”P0420” and other DTCs are output B

HINT:
If any other codes besides ”P0420” are output, perform the troubleshooting for those DTCs first.
B GO TO RELEVANT DTC CHART
(See page 05–34)

2 CHECK FOR EXHAUST GAS LEAKAGE

NG REPAIR OR REPLACE EXHAUST GAS

LEAKAGE POINT (See page 15–3)

OK

3 INSPECT HEATED OXYGEN SENSOR(BANK 1 SENSOR 1) (See page 05–96)

Refer to the hint below.

NG REPLACE HEATED OXYGEN SENSOR

OK

4 INSPECT HEATED OXYGEN SENSOR(BANK 1 SENSOR 2) (See page 05–122)

Refer to the hint below.

NG REPLACE HEATED OXYGEN SENSOR

OK

REPLACE THREE–WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER (EXHAUST MANIFOLD)

2004 SCION xB REPAIR MANUAL (RM1031U)

Author: Date: 337

05–178
DIAGNOSTICS – SFI SYSTEM

HINT:
Hand–held tester only:
The following procedure enables the technician to identify a trouble area if malfunction in both front and rear
heated oxygen sensors other than the catalyst converter, or the malfunction that indicates the actual air–fuel
ratio extremely RICH or LEAN.
(a) Perform ACTIVE TEST using the hand–held tester (A/F CONTROL).
HINT:
”A/F CONTROL” is ACTIVE TEST which changes the injection volume –12.5 % or +25 %.
(1) Connect the hand–held tester to the DLC3 on the vehicle.
(2) Turn the ignition switch ON.
(3) Warm up the engine by running the engine at 2,500 rpm for approximately 3 minutes.
(4) Select the item ”DIAGNOSIS/ENHANCED OBD II/ACTIVE TEST/ A/F CONTROL”.
(5) Perform ”A/F CONTROL” with the engine in an idle condition (press the right or left button).
Result:
Heated oxygen sensor reacts in accordance with increase and decrease of injection volume:
+25 % → rich output: More than 0.55 V
–12.5 % → lean output: Less than 0.4 V
NOTICE:
There is a delay of few seconds in the sensor 1 (front sensor) output, and there is about 20 seconds
delay at maximum in the sensor 2 (rear sensor).
Output voltage of heated oxygen Output voltage of heated oxygen Mainly suspect
sensor (sensor 1: front sensor) sensor (sensor 2: rear sensor) trouble area
Injection volume Injection volume
+25 % +25 %
–12.5 % –12.5 %

Case 1 Output voltage Output voltage
More than 0.55 V More than 0.55 V
Less than 0.4V
OK Less than 0.4V
OK

Injection volume Injection volume

+25 % +25 %
–12.5 % –12.5 % Sensor 1: front sensor
Case 2 Output voltage Output voltage (sensor 1, heater, sensor 1
circuit)
More than 0.55 V
No reaction NG OK
Less than 0.4V

Injection volume Injection volume

+25 % +25 %
–12.5 % –12.5 % Sensor 2: rear sensor
Case 3 Output voltage Output voltage (sensor 2, heater, sensor 2
More than 0.55 V
circuit)
Less than 0.4V OK No reaction NG

Injection volume Injection volume

+25 % +25 % Extremely rich or lean actual
–12.5 % –12.5 % air–fuel ratio
Case 4 Output voltage Output voltage (Injector, fuel pressure, gas
leakage in exhaust system,
No reaction NG No reaction NG etc.)

2004 SCION xB REPAIR MANUAL (RM1031U)

Author: Date: 338

 05–179
DIAGNOSTICS – SFI SYSTEM

The following A/F CONTROL procedure enables the technician to check and graph the voltage outputs of
both the heated oxygen sensors.
For displaying the graph indication, enter ”ACTIVE TEST / A/F CONTROL / USER DATA”, then select ”O2S
B1S1 and O2S B1S2” by pressing ”YES” button and push ”ENTER” button before pressing ”F4” button.

2004 SCION xB REPAIR MANUAL (RM1031U)

Author: Date: 339