Regarding TSB: EG026-04 and P0420

[ruckerz]

Hi all


I got the dreaded P0420 CEL and replaced the catalytic converter.

I'm confused about the TSB, and whether or not my ECU needs to be reprogrammed. The P/N of the ECU is Denso 89666-02133. Though the CEL is no longer illuminated with the new catalytic converter I'm concerned on reports online that the problem is really a software issue (i.e. ECU), and that it's only a matter of time before the ECU ruins this converter .

Thanks

FR

[fishexpo101]

Would need to know the model year and engine for your Matrix. You have another post that seems to point to a Matrix XRS - in that case, this TSB will not apply.

[ruckerz]

Originally Posted by fishexpo101

Would need to know the model year and engine for your Matrix. You have another post that seems to point to a Matrix XRS - in that case, this TSB will not apply.

Thanks for the reply.

It's a 2003 Matrix, 1zz-FE

[fishexpo101]

OK, got it. The ECM reprogramming was only needed if the initial parameters found were out of date. Not all 2003-2004 Corolla/Matrix/Vibe needed the reprogramming when they got the P0420 - those had the faulty catalytic converters only.

If you are really concerned - you can always take it in and ask them to preform the TSB check. Note that this is a TSB, not a recall - so you would pay out of pocket for this work to be done.

[ruckerz]

Originally Posted by fishexpo101

OK, got it. The ECM reprogramming was only needed if the initial parameters found were out of date. Not all 2003-2004 Corolla/Matrix/Vibe needed the reprogramming when they got the P0420 - those had the faulty catalytic converters only.

If you are really concerned - you can always take it in and ask them to preform the TSB check. Note that this is a TSB, not a recall - so you would pay out of pocket for this work to be done.

I took it to the dealer recently and told them I had replaced the catalytic converter and as per the TSB, the ECM might need a reprogram. They gave it a shot but came back to me with 'The ECM wouldn't take the reprogramming, you need to replace the ECM ($1500)'. The TSB mentions specifically that some ECM's couldn't be reprogrammed but I checked my ECM's P/N against the ones listed in the TSB and my ECM was not one of those that couldn't be reprogrammed. They still charged me a $58 diagnostic fee. Sigh.

P.S. P0420 came up at 130k miles, do catalytic converters usually fail at this mileage?

[fishexpo101]

They can fail at that mileage - depends on many factors. One thing for sure, is that all catalytic converters have a finite lifespan. Some can run over 200K miles, some die at less than 60K miles. Most owners that replaced them were around the 100K-120K mileage mark. I found that aftermarket cats tend to fail on the lower mileage, some have reported replacing them at 45K-60K miles. OEM would be worth the difference in money, many can be priced online much cheaper than the dealership - some have reported getting an OEM (Cali-spec) listing for around $1500 for $375 (75% off list).

Yeah, kind of unusual that the ECM could not take the program, but not completely out of the question. Toyota ECMs have always been a little tough to crack into, programming wise. Mostly, that reprogramming was for the early "sulfur farts" that the early Corolla/Matrix had - a sided-effect of that reprogramming was a novel hardening for a P0420 CEL, as the it is not as "sensitive" to a particular threshold as before. Compared to an 8th gen Corolla which throughs a P0420 almost constantly, the 9th gen Corolla/Matrix almost never throws a P0420.