2006 UZJ100 (CEL+VSC Trac+VSC Off = P0420)

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Bloomer

Bloomer

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2006 UZJZ100 with 45,000 miles. Driving back from the club meeting notice the CEL on as well as VSC Trac and VSC Off lights on as well. Stopped at parts store to have codes read, shows P0420. Parts store looks up code and potential causes range from catalyst converters, O2 sensors, exhaust leak, gas cap, and a few other things I can't recall.

Found code list here on MUD showing P0420 is low cat efficiency (bank 1).

Understand the land cruiser is 6 to 7 years old, but it only has 45,000 miles. A bad catalytic converter? Surely with only 45,000 miles there has to be something else that can trip the P0420 code other than catalytic converter. I trust the code listing here on MUD more than the laundry list from the parts store, but am wondering if anyone has conclusively resolved a P0420 code and it was not catalytic converters?

Yes, I searched before posting this and found 4 threads related to P0420. Didn't see that the code was conclusively resolved in these posts, but please don't crucify me if I missed it.

Thanks for any input/help you can offer.
 
Doesn't necessarily mean the cats bad. Could be a bad sensor giving false readings. I would start there. Not sure how the VSC lights are related to the PO420 though. That doesn't make sense to me. Did you accidently turn your CDL on?
 
Ok well I can't comment on that since my truck hasn't thrown a code in 161,000 miles. (knock on wood). I would check the O2 sensors. I would gamble that is the cause.

They are the stock cats right? Just asking because I've seen aftermarket cats fail well below 45k.
 
Thanks Neoworm....as far as I know they are OE cats. I've only owned this Land Cruiser for a few months. Unless the PO replaced the entire exhaust with aftermarket (for some strange reason), my guess is they are OE. I know for sure the back end of the exhaust is OE.

Probably will just take it in to the dealer next week.
 
Be sure to check the gas cap. I had a bad one on a Camry that would throw a CEL every 5k or so. I haven't seen any mentions of it for the 100, but its best (and sometimes cheaper) to start simple.
 
phatairman said:
What's the deal with the emission's warranty? 100k/7 years? You must be supper close to the 7 years if so.
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8 year/80,000 mile Toyota emission warranty is what I was told. Also have an extended warranty which also would have covered it. But, yes I was close to the 8 year mark but only have 45,000 miles on the Land Cruiser.
 
hoser said:
All short trips can clog a catalytic converter... never gets hot enough to burn off deposits.
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I was a little perplexed about the cats going bad with only 45,000 miles. I've only owned this land cruiser a few months. The PO kept it in Palm Beach, Fl at their vacation home. So, it really only was used intermittently. Guess what you suggested makes sense. Thanks!
 
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