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The Audio Lab Posted on Jul 04, 2013
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2000 Ford Contour SVT engine idles high (revs) when driving

First off there is a P0420 code "Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)" which I don't believe is related. When I take my foot off the gas while driving down the road at say 30 to 50 MPH and push the clutch in or put the trans in neutral the engine will "idle" at sometimes 1500 rpm sometimes 2500 rpm or higher. I don't even have to take it out of gear. Foot off the gas and acts like I have it in cruise. The problem is intermittent, weather(wet/dry/cold/hot), engine cold or hot doesn't make a huge difference. It does idle down slowly when I come to a stop though. The problem is intermittent and I can go for weeks without a problem. For no apparent reason it will start acting up again. Bad sensor or connection problem? I have been working on my own cars for 25 years but this problem I have not seen. Looked for a vacuum already, none found.

1 Answer

Stephen

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  • Cars & Trucks Master 21,873 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 04, 2013
 Stephen
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It sounds like a faulty idle air control valve. The computer uses the valve to control idle speed by regulating the amount of air entering the throttle body. Its possible the motor inside the valve is weak, or the valve is gummed up. I would unplug the valve when base idle is near normal and drive it for a day or two. If the valve is the problem the idle speed should stay in one place. And it should set a trouble code for the valve being disconnected.

4 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 97 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 14, 2008

SOURCE: 1999 Dodge 1500. Put

the cat is not getting up to temp could be o2 sensor(upstream) or the cat itself

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Anonymous

  • 2 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 12, 2009

SOURCE: My sons car just failed inspection:

dou you need replace the catalic converter bank 1 and your check engine gone turn off for sure

nicole99wu

Aobd2

  • 1049 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 15, 2011

SOURCE: code of PO174 1 system

hi,my friend, you can try,

Check for exhaust leaks at the manifold, pipes, catalytic converter. Repair as required.

Use a scope to diagnose the oxygen sensor operation (Tip: The oxygen sensor in front of the catalytic converter normally has a fluctuating waveform. The waveform of the sensor behind the converter should be more steady).

Inspect the downstream heated oxygen sensor (HO2), replace if necessary

Replace the catalytic converter

Anonymous

  • 151 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 18, 2012

SOURCE: p0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1..?

HMMM OK CATALYST CONVERTER WILL NOT MAKE IT DO THAT PLEASE EXPLAIN LITTLE MORE WHEN WAS CAR LAST TUNED UP TELL ME WHAT KIND CAR YOU HAVE OK LET ME KNOW

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I've had a trouble code( P0420) code come up,

Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1). OK, now tell me that again in plain English please.... let's break it down: the catalyst system being referred to is your three-way catalytic converter; so the catalytic converter is not working properly (i.e. it's not efficient). Bank 1 refers to the side of the engine which contains cylinder #1. On inline engines such as 4 & 5 cylinder engines, there is only one bank. So, to really simply things let's just say that the efficiency of the catalytic converter and/or exhaust pipe and/or O2 sensor is not so great. Hope this helps.
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Hi and welcome to FixYa!

Code p0420 means Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1). This will surely needs attention to resolve the problem.

Hope this helps and thank you for using FixYa! Have a good one!
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