I recently got both cat converters replaced and now I'm getting a P0141 code.

 

It doesn't come on at first...but after I drive it, stop and start it up again then it comes on.

 

 

This leads me to believe that it's not a wiring or instrument issue but possibly a lean mixure due to a clogged fuel/air filter...dirty injector ports...ethanol fuel..

 

Perhaps also different exhaust components may change aspiration characteristics enough (3 of 5 exhaust components are aftermarket).

 

 

 

What do you guys think?

 

 

 

I'm concerned because they may not inspect it with that code there....

 

 

 

--Damien

 

 

couldn't that be bad wiring?

 

I dunno how the heater circuit for the rear sensor is tested.

Fuel mixture does not affect the heater circuit. It's either wiring or the heater element in the sensor has failed.

Well I read that that code comes on when it doesn't heat up quickly enough to operating temperature...indicating some sort of malfunction..

 

 

There is a heater element builtin the unit itself?  I don't understand....

 

 

If that is true why wasn't a code triggered with the old parts in there?  They were leaking all over the place....

 

 

Maybe it's also because the computer thinks it's an EJ25 in there....

 

--D

OIC....there's a heating element built right in there.

 

I guess it would be a wiring issue then but I can other factors cause the ECU to generate that code?

if a car is otherwise running well, it's almost always a good idea to read and record the code(s), then clear them and see which and how quickly code(s) return. I have had a failing battery set a handful of spurious codes. And certainly, there could be a bad ground connection or the sensor itself is bad internally.

Well I did do that...and changed the battery (the old one was getting a little weak).  Admittedly, the new battery does affect performance.

 

 

I'm going to inspect the wiring today if I can...it could be a ground issue as well or maybe the alternator is going.

 

 

In any case it doesn't seem to be serious...it still gets normal gas mileage.

bad sensor?

 

if that's for the rear sensor, it can't affect gas mileage.  you can completely remove them and it can't affect gas milegae as it's not even used by the ECU for any fuel or other mapping calculations.  it's simply a dummy light.   somewhere around 2005 or newer that changes slightly and it starts getting integrated into actual ECU algorithms.

OIC...they probably just put it in there to sell more O2 sensors to suckers who hate the CEL light...

 

Reason why I'm concerned mainly is cuz there are some electrical issues (I think it may be a bad ground somewhere) and I'm trying to pin down what it could be cuz they charge a fortune at the shop to diagnose and my usual mechanic doesn't give a s--- unless it's really broken.

 

I whipped out my handy multimeter and checked everywhere I could for grounding issues...so far I haven't found anything amiss....I'm guessing it could be the alternator.

 

The odd thing is that the new battery honestly seemed to boost pickup but worsened the other symptoms it was having.

 

I guess six of one may cost half dozen of the other...

 

--Damien

reset!