Did a search and got some good info..but my car is throwing a P0420 code. I'm wondering if I should just get O2 simulators for the 2 rear sensors and be done with it as I can see that the sensors, or cats, or both will go out over time and I don't want to spend a lot of money on it at this point, pretty original car with 120k miles. Gas mileage is good, no odd smells, and runs good.

We have inspections here in NC but no sniffers, only checking for fault codes (at least where I go).

So my question is are the O2 simulators fairly reliable to eliminate the SES light and if so where is a good place to get some.

Thanks all.

 

Hi neighbor. I would think it would be best to get them tuned out rather than buy the simulators. I am sure others will chime in with their thoughts.

 

You could get them tuned out. For a price and the car is down while it's being done.

Or you could order one of these
http://www.o2simulator.com/index.php...products_id=10

Dual output.

Then if it needs to be reversed, you can do it without sending out the PCM again.

 

I have no cats and 2 rear o2 sims, paid about 50$ each. Have since passed 2 emissions tests with no problems.

 

you can have them tuned out with a mail order tune, usually they will offer a core amount if you dont want to send your comp in before hand, and they refund it after they get one from you

 

Thinking I may go down the route of getting the O2 simulators if I can find some that make sense to buy cost wise and aren't impossible to install instead of just getting a new O2 sensor, assuming the sensor is the problem and not the cat having gone bad.

In addition to the one's mentioned above anybody else have a place where they've gotten them from.

 

Swap the after-cat O2 sensors side to side, and see if the code follows the sensor (faulty sensor) to the other side, or stays on Bank 1 (faulty cat or wiring).

 

Thanks for the input. That's the first plan of action assuming the sensors are easy to access and remove without much issue; and if its simply the sensor then I'll probably end up with a new sensor, but if it starts getting more complicated and expensive then I'll be doing the O2 Sims.

 

Casper Electronics used to sell reliable sims, but the EPA fined them $70,000 and forced them to stop making them.