Engine Light/vsc

[Rooftop]

Hello I was just on the motorway today with 4.2 petrol rav 2004 when both the engine management light and the vsc traction control lights came on. The raves been driving fine and still doe,s I pulled into service just to check all was ok under bonnet oil levels and such then returned home just in case but rav seems to drive ok could anyone point me in the appropriate direction or will it be a diagnostics check due a service soon 100k one thanks Andrew

[gjnorthall]

Either get a garage to read the fault codes - takes a couple of minutes or buy an OBD reader - loads on eBay from £12 upwards. We'd be happy to give you an explanation for the code(s)

[pmb]

If you look on the general discussions forum there is a long list of people that are happy to plug their code readers into other peoples cars who don't have one. Not sure where you are in Yorkshire but I'm in south Huddersfield and you would be welcome to bob over and use mine.

[Rooftop]

Thanks for your replie,s I have bought a reader and the fault code appeared as p0420 catalyst efficiency below threshold bank 1 I've deleted the fault it was the only one there but what doe,s it mean sorry I've not been in touch till now the reader only came this morning thanks again

[gjnorthall]

Essentially this code means that the catalytic converter on bank1 isn't performing as it should. A spurious code is possible and, if it reappears, then it looks like the cat is life expired. This particular code will only indicate if theres no fault detected with the Lambda sensors - so you can be confident that this is not a sensor issue.

[Rooftop]

Thankyou so it could be cat then at end of day but will that entail new sensors when replacing the cat ?

[gjnorthall]

The sensors can be swapped over to the new cat. Presumably the code has re-appeared. When pricing a cat for your Rav - the car was facelifted in 2004 and the cat in the pre and post facelift models is different - ensure you're comparing like for like.

[Devon Aygo]

Was this the first time the car has done a long motorway trip in a while?

The reason I ask is P0420 is quite common in this case, the reason being repeated short trips mean the catalyst never fully reach is optimum operating temperature, this is not great for the catalyst as deposits from the exhaust build up in the cat slowly reducing its performance, when the car does a long motorway trip these built up deposits burn off returning the cat to a more healthy state. The warning light comes on because the car detects a sudden alteration in the post catalyst emissions compared to previous results.

This issue seems to repeat if the same conditions continue on a car with an original catalyst as its ability to scrubs exhaust emissions is much reduced from new, a new catalyst will stop the issue until it too ages enough for the cycle to repeat.

We advise customers with issue to have the fault deleted and then once a month give the car an "Italian tune-up" this seems to stave off the fault code from reappearing next time it does a m/way trip.

[Rooftop]

Thanks for advice I have,nt had chance to run the car yet will give it a run today and see if the fault reappears, if it doe,s I will go down the route of a stainless exhaust we have a good top gear specialist not far away. It was the first time the car had been run for a while a week in fact but the last run was on the motorway 130 mile,s.. Am I to presume an Italian tune up is a good thrash on the moter way using the kick down as mine,s an auto to give the cats a clear out . I am a steady driver as a rule but see the logic thank,s.

[gjnorthall]

Not sure I understand the reference to a stainless steel exhaust - the catalytic converter on this model is quite separate from the exhaust system.

[Rooftop]

I think I crossed threads with the stainless issue sorry had a short run no light as yet will give it blast later will report back thanks and I must get a Haynes,s Manuel so I know more as where things stand with the various systems