It's quite possible that the oxygen sensors were fouled by something that got into the gas that shouldn't have been. Water or 'gas dryers' fuel system cleaners, carb and choke cleaners, the neighbor's kid urinated in the tank [Don't doubt it, seen it more than once!]... etc. They can all foul the O2 Sensors. Often just running them at highway for several hours clears them out, if not it's not uncommon to see a whole set fail at the same time for the reasons I mentioned.
Sorry ta have ta tell ya but it's a cat, best take to ya chevy dealer to take a look and they will sort it out fer ya for around $50.
SOURCE: 05 nissan pathfinder lack of power,catalytic low flow bank 2
Have you checked fuel pressure at idle and 3k TO 4K RPMS? I once took a crown vic to a local dealer, wanted $1500 for new cats. I did a fuel pressure test, 15 lbs at idle, 0-5 at 3K RPMS and went to 0 lbs. when punched accelerator. Was a $6 fuel filter.
SOURCE: PO420 CATALYS INEFFICIENCY BELOW
The PCM copares switch rates between the front O2 sensors and the downstream catalyst moniters. The catylist moniters are often mistaken as O2 sensors, and they are, but that is not their job, or what they are called.
By comparing the switch rates between the front (before cat) and rear (downstream of cat) the PCM knows if the cat is affecting the exaust, and how much it is affecting the exaust.
If it sees little or no effect o the exaust gases that have passed through the cat, then it decides that the cat is not working anymore, and sets a P0420, or a P0430, depending on which bank it is.
To check this yourself, you will need to bring up data stream on your scanner, watch the upstream and downstream O2 parameters and see if they are following each other closely.
If the cat is working right, you should see a fairly rapid switch rate, probably 5 or 6 times a minute on the front O2, but almost a flat line just above .5 volts on the rear. If the rear is switching often you proabably need a catalytic converter.
You can try resetting the ECM by turning your ignition to the on position (engine not running) and pulling the fuse to your ECM for 30 seconds and then placing it back in. Once the fuse has been reinstalled, start the car and let it idle for 1 min and then go for a test drive.
The engine may stall when you restart it, let is stumble and stall. Just restart it, the ECM is relearning the sensors like it was the first start up the engine ever had then go for a test drive.
This should reset everything and turn your check engine light off, if the check engine light came back on, have it scanned again at Auto Zone, Parts source where they scan free of charge and address the issues the DTC codes points out.
The easiest thing to do first is a visual check of things. Visually inspect the exhaust system for leaks, check the catalytic converter for dents, holes, severe discoloration, and check for a rattle inside. If any of those syptoms are there, the converter likely needs replacement.
Then, visually inspect the downstream O2 sensor (behind the converter). Check for broken wires, obvious faults, etc. If all that checks out, you'll want to check the operation of the O2 sensor. To do that, you'll need access to a scan tool or oscilliscope. Check that the waveform is pretty steady. If the reading fluctuates then the sensor is likely bad and will need to be replaced as mentioned earlier.
Thank you for using Fixya and be safe.
SOURCE: Code p0141 02 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunct Bank #1 Sensor2
after the catalytic converter on the driver side in the exhaust pipe.
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SOURCE: 2001 Pontiac Grand AM, failed
i would renew trhe pair of them to be honest ,and if that didnt clear the emmisions then a new cat as well
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Your question is kind of hard. Why have you changed sensors 2 on both banks? Those O2 sensors are for the PCM to see if the Catalytic converter is doing the job. If you have problems with engine performance you should look for the sensors1 bank 1 or 2. Take a look to this document link: http://www.totalcardiagnostics.com/suppo...
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