QuestionQUESTION: I have been reading and hearing that there have been catalytic coverter
problems in this model. Does this part have to replaced or is it a recalibrate
of the control module? I have been told that if I do not replace that the car
will not run. Help! E
ANSWER: Toyota has issued a special service campaing(SSC 60-I)that involves recalibrating the ECM, you would have to check with the toyota dealer to see if it's applicable to your vehicle, it depends on the #VIN range and whether or not it's been done already, the dealer would have to connect the diagnostic tool to see if any updates are necessary. In some cases the catalityc converters have to be replaced, the warranty period is 8yrs/80,000 miles. The car will not stop running if the converter is not replaced, by the way is there a check engine light on now?
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QUESTION: Yes - the light has been on and diagnostics have been done. Yes, I did get the
recall done in 2007. The code is PO420. It's just that I have been told that if I
don't get this replaced that the car will not run - that I will not be able to
move it. I have 109,000 on it. What is a normal price for this repair? I am just
so surprised - I really did not expect this type of thing to happen and I take
care of it.
Thank you again for your reply. E
ANSWER: Not replacing it will not make the car stop running. Parts and the labor would be around $1,100/
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QUESTION: What does happen should this converter remain on the car for a while longer?
Is the engine compromised, or the AC? Oh, the codes found were PO420 and
PO430.
Does this diagnostic show just how damaged or inefficient the converter is or
is this an all or nothing thing?
Thank you so very much!
AnswerThe converter's only purpose is to reduce emissions from the engine, in rare cases the converter can disintegrate which could result in a loss of power but this is not very common, the codes mean that the converter is not working as efficiently as it should at this time.
