Questions? We Have Answers

What causes the CEL on?

There are many aspects to cause the CEL on, one aspect is catalytic problem.
Our O2 CEL FIX(Mini Catalizador) actually has a miniature catalytic converter built inside(Europe 4) and will help get rid of that annoying check engine light you get after modifying your exhaust or removing your catalytic converter, and sometimes even when installing a high flow catalytic converter.
But sometimes, the CEL alert is caused by O2 sensor problem. For example the O2 sensor is too sensitive, the CEL will still on after you load the eliminator. And still it will cause more Code error!
So our CEL eliminator (someone call it Mini Catalizador) can not solve all the problem on CEL alert.
It can only solve one of the P0420 code--faulty catalytic converter (most common)

Introductions
Don't take a chance on using an extension only as often they do not work, this is a real mini Catalytic Converter built into it.
This O2 CEL FIX with miniature cat will trick your ECU into thinking the stock catalytic converter is still installed. When you remove your catalytic converter, your post O2 sensor will see higher temperatures and greater flow of unburnt fuel.
As a result this will throw check engine lights (CEL, SES, DTC) typically the error codes will be P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1) and/or P0430 P0420 - Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank.

Symptom of P0420/P0042/P0430 Codes Faulty:
Uses an OBD-II scanner to retrieve trouble codes stored by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). Faulty catalytic converter is the most common reason to cause fault codes P0420/P0042/P0430. There are 4 common indicators of faulty.
1. Check Engine Light is on.
2. Lack of power after vehicle warms up.
3. Speed of vehicle may not exceed 30-40 mph.
4. Rotten egg smell coming from the exhaust pipe.
Install our oxygen sensor adapter which includes mini converter could help solve the problem.

Why Install a Mini Catalizador O2 Sensor Spacer?

1. A worn-out oxygen sensor leads to excessive gasoline consumption, elevated exhaust emissions, and accelerated catalytic converter damage. Our Oxygen Sensor Replacement Kit addresses these issues, optimizing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions for a cleaner engine.
2. In regions with emission-regulating vehicle inspection programs, a faulty Check Engine Light (CEL) and O2 sensor can result in inspection failure. Our kit ensures compliance, allowing your vehicle to pass inspections seamlessly.
3. Our kit provides a practical solution to common fault codes such as P0420, P0042, and P0430, ensuring your vehicle operates smoothly and minimizing the risk of more significant problems.

Mini Catalizador O2 Sensor Spacer is suitable for which car models?

Wide range of applications
The Mini Catalizador oxygen sensor extender is suitable for various types of vehicles, and most vehicles are designed for the M18x1.5 sensor hole.
Installation is simplified without modifications, cuts, or perforations. It only needs to be screwed onto the bracket, and no shaving or welding is required.

What are the dimensions of Mini Catalizador? What material is it made of?

Perfect Polished Surface
The polished front surface can be perfectly maintained. Length: approximately 55 millimeters / 2.1 inches. Hexagon: approximately 22 millimeters / 0.8 inches. Inner thread size: M18 X 1.5.

High-Quality Material
It is made of high-quality stainless steel, ensuring maximum durability. Sturdy and durable, resistant to wear and tear. It possesses good abrasion resistance, high-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, anti-aging properties, and a long lifespan.

Professional Craftsmanship
The thread is crafted using special tools, ensuring perfect precision and repeatability.

How many Mini Catalizador O2 Sensor Spacer do I need?

For “V”, “W” and boxer type engined vehicles, 2 Mini Catalizador may be required. Based on over 10,000 orders, straight angles sell more than 90-degree angles, which in turn sell more than 45-degree angles. Users typically buy two packs. If you're unsure, it's recommended to consult a professional automotive modification or repair shop for more specific advice.

How to install a Mini Catalizador O2 Sensor Spacer?

Installation Steps:

  • Jack up car if necessary, find extended bung which need to replace.
  • Loosen old oxygen sensor spacer, bolt it on our new sensor spacer.
  • Bolt new sensor spacer to pipe by hand firstly. Tighten with a wrench.
  • Please click the link https://www.minicatalizador.com/pages/how-to-install to watch the installation video.

Customer Notification and Disclaimer of Liability

This is a race-only product. It is not legal for sale or use on pollution-controlled vehicles that are driven on public streets, roads, or highways. Buyer's use or installation of this product for itself or for Buyer's customer is at Buyer's own risk. The Buyer is responsible for obeying federal, state, and local laws. Only Buyer can determine the end customer's use and thus assumes any and all liability, hereby waiving any and all claims against Minicatalizador.com in the sale of this product to the maximum extent permissible by law. Make sure to abide by all local, state, and federal laws, including emissions, vehicle safety, and traffic laws. It is Buyer's responsibility to know what those laws are and how they apply to Buyer or Buyer's customer. This product is designed and intended solely for legally-organized and sanctioned, closed-course, off-road competition use and is not for use on public streets, roads, or highways. This Product is capable of disabling the emissions system on some vehicles. Use on public streets, roads, or highways is a violation of federal and certain state (including California) and local environmental laws.

P0420 Code: Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)

What Is the P0420 Code?

The P0420 code signals a low catalyst system efficiency. This code suggests that the oxygen levels are below the desired threshold (Bank 1), which most often results from problems with your car’s exhaust or fuel systems. It can sometimes be tricky to diagnose.

The catalytic converter is a component of the vehicle’s exhaust system. It works by oxidizing the remaining unburned fuel and carbon monoxide (CO) from the combustion process into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). It also reduces nitrogen oxides (NOx) into nitrogen.

The converter uses two oxygen sensors – one on the upstream and the other on the downstream. If these sensors show similar readings, something’s wrong. That’s when the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) triggers the P0420 code, causing the check engine light to come on, alerting you that you have a catalyst problem.

What Are the Symptoms of a P0420 Code?

The first and most common symptom of a P0420 code is your check engine light turning on. Second, your engine won’t run as smoothly as it usually does, which could prevent you from going above 30 to 40 mph. This is because of a decrease in the engine’s power output. You might also notice a rotten egg-like smell coming from the exhaust. This also happens when the catalytic converter works overtime or outside of normal driving characteristics.

What Are Some Causes of a P0420 Code?

The most common cause of a P0420 code is a faulty catalytic converter.

The following are some other potential causes:

  • Exhaust manifold damage or leakage
  • Exhaust pipe damage or leakage
  • Misfiring engine
  • Catalytic converter oil contamination
  • Irregular engine coolant temperature sensor
  • A faulty rear or front oxygen sensor
  • Oxygen wiring damage
  • Loose connection in the O² wiring
  • Fuel injector leakage
  • High fuel pressure
  • Filling your vehicle with the wrong fuel type (i.e., leaded instead of unleaded fuel)

How Serious Is the P0420 Code?

Driving your car with the P0420 code will only lead to further damage to the catalytic converter. Plus, the problem can affect other parts of the car, such as the fuel line and exhaust systems. This is why it’s important to actively monitor your car’s catalytic convertor to avoid other costly repairs. You should consult a qualified technician any time you suspect any catalytic converter damage.

Can I Still Drive with a P0420 Code?

Besides the check engine light blinking, a person may not even notice any significant differences in how a vehicle performs. However, this doesn’t mean you should neglect the issue.

How Easy Is It to Diagnose a P0420 Code?

The most common mistake is to change something before you go through the diagnostics process thoroughly. In this case, replacing the O2 sensors doesn’t mean you’ll get rid of the problem since there might be another component causing your vehicle to signal the P0420 code.

How Difficult Is It to Inspect a P0420 Code?

Before getting started with any repairs, you’ll need to properly diagnose the P0420 code. Most service professionals will use an OBD-II scanner to retrieve the particular code the Power Control Module (PCM) is showing. If the voltage of the downstream oxygen sensor decreases and fluctuates like the upstream oxygen sensor, this is a certain indication that the oxygen levels are too high and the PCM will throw the P0420 code.

However, if there aren’t any visible issues with the upstream and downstream oxygen readings, the mechanic will then check engine misfires, ignition problems and even the fuel system to check for any malfunctions. The mechanic may also check the rear O2 sensor to gauge any excess wear or damage on the part.

An experienced professional will test drive the vehicle and monitor the freeze-frame data. This allows them to determine whether the rear O2 sensor is working properly. Finally, we also suggest updating the PCM to the latest version just in case there’s something wrong with it. It’s not uncommon that an out-of-date PCM is behind your vehicle’s issues.

P0430 Code: Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2)

P0430 Code Definition

Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2)

What Does the Engine Code P0430 Mean?

Character "P" in the first position of Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) represents the powertrain system (engine and transmission), "0" in the second position means that this is a generic OBD-II (OBD2) DTC. The "4" in the third character position in a DTC indicates that the Auxiliary emission controls system is experiencing a malfunction. The last two characters "30" are DTC numbers. OBD2 Diagnostic Trouble Code P0430 means that the sensor in the catalytic converter located in bank 2 has detected the catalytic converter’s efficiency below the threshold.
A catalytic converter’s job is to burn up the remaining raw fuel after the combustion process and to eliminate or reduce harmful emissions. A catalyst efficiency monitor (CEM) uses two oxygen (O2) sensors, one placed in front (upstream) and the other one at the rear (downstream) of the catalytic converter. When these sensors work correctly, the front sensor’s readings typically fluctuate, while the back sensor’s readings remain steady. If both sensors have similar readings, it indicates that the catalytic converter is not working properly, the check engine light (CEL) also called malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will turn on and the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) will store the P0430 trouble code.

What Is the Cause of P0430?

While the most common causes of the P0430 code are a faulty catalytic converter and faulty O2 sensor, P0430 can also be caused by other issues:

  • A catalyst defect due to aging
  • Malfunctioning oxygen sensor (lambda sensor) circuits
  • A faulty front and/or rear lambda sensor
  • Damaged lambda sensor wiring
  • Leakage of mass airflow sensor
  • The fuel injector leaking too much fuel
  • A damaged exhaust manifold
  • A damaged exhaust pipe
  • An engine misfire

What Are the Symptoms of Code P0430?

Symptoms of a defective catalytic converter:

  • The engine control lamp (MIL) lights up (on some models the lamp starts to flash)
  • A poor throttle response
  • Poor fuel economy
  • Rough engine running
  • The failure of exhaust emission test
  • A strong exhaust odor from the exhaust pipe

Which Tools Are Needed To Diagnose P0430?

To find out more about the P0430 code that is generated and stored in the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) of your car, the only tool you need is the Carly Universal OBD2 Scanner, which works for all car brands in the world with an OBD2 port.

Carly is a revolutionary solution that allows you to access your car’s data with your phone and translates this information into powerful insights, predictions, and possibilities. This saves you trouble, time, and money.

P0042 Code: HO2S Heater Control Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 3

P0042 code definition

P0042 is telling us the ECM has detected a fault in the heated oxygen sensor control circuit for bank 1 sensor 3. This can be associated with P0043 and P0044

What the P0042 code means

The heated oxygen sensor’s heater circuit is controlled by the car's engine control unit (ECU). P0042 tells us there is an issue between the ECU and the oxygen sensor bank 3 sensor 1. This heating element is required for proper sensor readings.

What causes the P0042 code?

There are a few possible causes for P0042:

  • Bank 1 sensor 3 sensor failure
  • Open or shorted sensor wiring
  • Damaged wiring
  • Rarely ECU failure may be the cause

What are the symptoms of the P0042 code?

The first thing that will happen is the ECU will try to control the heater circuit for heated oxygen sensor bank 1 sensor 3. When the car’s ECU detects an issue with the control circuit it will trigger a Check Engine Light to show on the dash. This Check Engine Light may be flashing.

How does a mechanic diagnose the P0042 code?

There are a few steps for diagnosing P0042:

  • First, a qualified technician will hook up a scan tool to the car’s OBD-II port to confirm P0042 is present.
  • The technician will look for any freeze frame data with the code.
  • Next, the technician will clear the code.
  • After the code is cleared, the vehicle will be taken on a test drive under the same conditions. The freeze frame data tells us about the conditions from when the previous code was set at.
  • Once the code reappears, the technician will perform a visual inspection of the bank 1 sensor 3 and its associated wiring.
  • If the wiring is okay, the sensor itself will be tested to confirm operation.
  • After the oxygen sensor is tested and found to pass, the technician will perform any tests required to confirm proper operation of the ECU.

Common mistakes when diagnosing the P0042 code

The most common error is not performing all tests and steps to properly diagnose P0042. The sensor must be tested for proper operation before it is replaced.

How serious is the P0042 code?

P0042 is not a particularly serious code. The heater circuit of bank 1 sensor 3 is required for accurate readings and may cause improper readings and/or poor fuel economy until it is repaired.

Refund & Return Policy

I want to cancel the order.

If you need to cancel the order, please contact service@minicatalizador.com. Cancellation can only be made before the package shipped out. If the package is already in transit, the order can not be canceled.

When my order will be shipped?

Your package will ship out within 1-2 business days. We will contact you if there is any special case.

Returns Time

If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, we will be happy to accept a return for a refund or exchange on products in new/unused condition within 30 days of delivery. 

How can I return my order?

Please contact service@minicatalizador.com and let us know the reason why you want to return the items. If your return is accepted, we’ll send you instructions on how and where to send your package.

I bought the wrong items/ the items were not compatible with my vehicle.

Please contact service@minicatalizador.com and we will help you to solve the problems.