Currently my 02 1500 is throw a CEL.
i have ran the code and know what it is, however i do not know how to fix this problem.

the code:P0422 Main Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)

what do i do to fix this problem?

thanks

 

are your cats off? mine are and i get this code for bank 1 and 2. it may be the o2 sensor behind the cat?

 

I always thought o2 problems specifically say something about an o2 sensor but I could be way off. Could mean that one of your cats are going bad...maybe getting clogged up or something, not sure how to check that though. One way to test the o2 idea is to swap two of the o2 sensors around and see if the code moves to a different side(as in it would say a different bank...possibly bank 0 or maybe bank 2, not sure how the dodges number the o2 sensors). At least you could start ruling things out if the code doesn't change with the o2 sensor switch. Remember it somestimes takes several cycles for a CEL code to clear out and another one show up.

 

I'm probably way off here, but I think my engine got coded for something similar a while back (on a different truck)...He said that bank 1 was running really lean or whatever. (I don't know if your code equates to this, but in more complicated wording haha)

Is the truck really like, loud and rough sounding when you first start it up in the morning?

My mechanic said it had to do with one of the seals being old and needing replacing. In the morning when it was cool, the seal would be smaller, and as it heated up it would expand and so it wouldn't be running lean anymore and it passed inspection as long as I turned off the CEL and didn't let the truck sit too long before I went and got it checked.

Like I said, this could very well have absolutely nothing to do with your problem, but I figured I would throw it out there just in case it would help out haha.

 

If it's a bad catalytic converter it's covered under your emissions warranty. I don't know that's what the code means, but that's my guess. Here is a link off yahoo explaining the code and the possible cause of it http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...1114950AAYxnBg

 

You either have a bad O2 sensor (most likely) or your cat converter on the driver side is not properly cleaning the exhaust. My money is on the O2 sensor.

 

i figured it would be the 02 sensor after the cats since it is reading what the cats are putting out. i have no cats and have a code for bank one and 2. i had my neg terminal off while installing my hellas and now no code i have not done a lot of driving to see if it will come back. but i cleared them before with my hyperpac and they came back.

 

thanks for replying everyone.
im going to start off with the o2 sensor since its cheaper and easier one, and if it still throws the code i will change the cat. Now however because of this code, can the trucks idle be off when first started? my trucks idle goes up and down and up and down by itself when first started, however after driving its gone. Its only when first started after sitting long time.

 

bump up.
I also went and bought me a new o2 sensor, how to i change them out? i need the first one in the first bank.

thanks.

 

bump, is there a diy guide to changing the o2 sensor on these rams?
did a quick search but they all came with no pics.