Hello Everybody,

I have a 1997, Vin W, 185,00miles. Getting 15 city/22 Highway.
I give it as much love as possible. 1.5 years ago I put a new exhaust
system on. Walker Direct Fit Catalytic Converter and Muffler and Pipes.
Put on 4 new AC Delco Oxygen sensors as well.

Here is my question/info?

I have read through many posts/threads here and anywhere google would take me.
The Drive Cycle seems a mystery to some and not to others. For some it works
and for some it does nothing. I have done the GM drive cycle at least 10 times.
It is the same one that was posted/linked here. I have heard people say it might take
1500 miles or 12 miles. I can't make heads or tails on the Drive cycle.

I failed emissions test.
I cannot get 2 of my systems to Ready.
The Evap and EGR systems.
Catalytic Monitor is ready But it has a code.
I erased it prior to going in for the test about 3 weeks ago.
So that made it 3 systems not ready.
I have a scanner so I can watch when they are Ready or Not Ready.


I know I am allowed 2 systems not to be ready because of the age
of the vehicle. My only problem is that although the Catalytic Monitor
is ready still I have a pending code. P0420 - Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1). OK, I understand that. Not sure why? Could be a leak, Bad O2 sensor, or even possibly a bad catalytic converter. I have to find that out. I know that


My question is this?

Will a pending code with the Catalytic Monitor prevent/stop
the other 2 systems EVAP and EGR to NOT GET READY

Since I only need 1 of them to get ready. I could erase the code for the P0420
for the time being then have only 2 Not ready.

After 500 miles of driving over the past 3 weeks those 2 do not want to GET READY.

Can anybody pitch in.

Thanks Mark K

 

May have answered my own question on the Evap Systems monitor.
I found this elsewhere. Temperature and fuel level might pertain to me.
I park outside and I fill up and never try to go below half. Might be a coincidence.
The codes do not. My active code is P0420. It is starting to warm up here in Illinois.
I might get lucky in the next week or 2. I have about 6 weeks before I am Illegal.

Conditions to run the evap tests are
• DTCs P0107, P0108, P0110, P0112, P0113, P0115, P0117, P0118, P0121, P0122, P0123, P0125, P0443, P0449, P0452, P0453, P1106, P1107, P1111, P1112, P1114, P1115, P1121, or P1122 are not set.
• The ignition voltage is between 10-18 volts.
• The barometric pressure is more than 75 kPa.
• The fuel level is between 15-85 percent of full capacity.
• The engine coolant temperature (ECT) is between 4-30°C (39-86°F).
• The intake air temperature (IAT) is between 4-30°C (39-86°F).
• The start up ECT and IAT are within 9°C (16°F) of each other.

 

Well I guess after 3 consecutive starts with no faults the MIL light went off by itself.
The catalytic converter monitor went back to NOT READY. I drove it a few more days
and when I was on the highway about 10-15 miles of driving 55-60 mph the MIL light
came back on with the P0420 Code. I took a reading from the scanner I had hooked up at the time. this is what the readings were.

Trouble Code: P0420
Abslt TPS % 5.8
ENG Speed RPM 1815
CALC Load % 9.4
MAF Flow GR/SE 18.98
MAP KPA 39
Coolant Temp 188

ST FTRM1 % 0.7
LT FTRM1 % 1.5

ST FTRM2 % 0.7
LT FTRM2 % 0.0

ST FTRM3 % 72.6
LT FTRM3 % -8.0

ST FTRM4 % 65.6
LT FTRM4 % -45.2

Vehicle Speed MPH 61

I can see that the numbers are way out of wack for 3 and 4.
Does anybody have any ideas as to why? I know my problem
has to do with fuel but where should I start to try to figure
out what is causing these kind of numbers.

Thanks Mark

 

Well I am answering my own questions here, but hopefully
somebody can use this info to help themselves out.

As I stated above I had a P0420 code. I had a catalytic converter
replaced about 18 months ago. I did not want to think
that the Catalytic Converter was bad already.

I was told by more than 1 shop that most after market converters
usually only last 18-24 months. Don't expect much more than that.

I had paid about 150 dollars for it. I guess you get what you pay for.
I was told the original OEM might cost 1000 dollars or more.
It's got platinum in it. The cheap ones might have a dusting.

So I paid another 150 dollars to put another on.
After 1 drive cycle the code went away. I still have the
EGR and EVAP systems not ready, but I can still get
the emissions test done with 2 systems not ready and still
pass because of the year of my vehicle. I am still going
to try and figure out the EGR and EVAP systems not ready
question but for the time being, I will be happy to pass the
emissions test and get my license plate renewed. It is due
this month. I am going in tomorrow. I will update the results.

I guess my numbers were all screwed up by a bad catalytic converter.

Thanks Mark K

 

Passed Emissions here Illinois.
I had 2 systems not Ready.
EGR and EVAP.
The Catalytic Converter system was Ready
along with any others that were needed.
I am allowed 2 not ready for my vehicle year.
I am still not sure why the EGR and EVAP systems
will not go ready. I am not sure if I am hurting
the performance of my vehicle and polluting the
environment at the same time with these 2 not ready.
If anybody has some info please let me know.
Of course I am happy I can renew my License Plate sticker,
but still puzzled about those 2 systems not ready.
I get 2 years before the next emissions test.

Thanks Mark K