Error code 0420?

Tiny
MICHAEL COSTER
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 NISSAN FRONTIER
  • 4.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
I'm getting an error code 0420, Which I know is for bank 1. But the vehicle has two catalytic converters on each bank, so I can't tell if it's the front or the rear catalytic converter. I just replaced an ignition coil that was bad and causing misfiring so I'm guessing that is what caused it to go bad. And I just recently replaced the upstream sensor on bank one and the downstream sensor seemed okay at the time, and there is no other damage or leaks anywhere else on the exhaust. So, I'm assuming it's the catalytic converter. Also, I cleared the code, and it came right back so i'm assuming it wasn't just a fluke. If 0420 can't specify front or rear catalytic converter what would be a good way to tell which one is bad?
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Saturday, March 18th, 2023 AT 12:24 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • EXPERT
Hi,

There should only be two converters that attach (on each side) to the manifold. See pic 1 below.

If you look at pic 2, it is an exploded view of the rest of the exhaust system. Are numbers 5 and 9 what you are thinking are converters? I realize they look like they could. However, they are simply exhaust tubes.

Let me know.

Joe

See pics below.
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Saturday, March 18th, 2023 AT 1:58 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL COSTER
  • MEMBER
What are parts 5 and 9 in the second picture, they're being labeled as rear catalytic converters on other sites, and on Amazon when I'm going to look for prices on replacements, they bundle them all together so you get 4, calling them the bank 1 front and rear catalytic converters, and bank 2 front and rear catalytic converters, and other sites are calling them primary and secondary catalytic converters.
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Saturday, March 18th, 2023 AT 2:05 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL COSTER
  • MEMBER
For example.
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Saturday, March 18th, 2023 AT 2:17 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL COSTER
  • MEMBER
Somehow, I missed the last part of what you said, addressing part 5 and 9, are you sure they're just exhaust tubing, because they're being labeled everywhere else as rear or secondary catalytic converters.
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Saturday, March 18th, 2023 AT 2:19 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • EXPERT
Hi,

According to my manual, they are front exhaust tubes. You were asking about pic 2 above. I attached the legend to that pic below.

To the best of my knowledge, there are only two.

Let me know if this helps.

Joe

See pic below.
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Saturday, March 18th, 2023 AT 3:44 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL COSTER
  • MEMBER
Yeah, I don't know, that doesn't seem to be right, are you sure it's for a 2011 Frontier 4.0? I added 2 more pics from the Nissan website, look at number 7 and 8 in pic 1, pic 2 shows what they are, they call it "converter and pipe" which I assume is short for "catalytic" converter and pipe, maybe your manual is shortening it even more and just calling it pipe, or doesn't account for the fact that they actually has a catalytic converter in it as well.
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Saturday, March 18th, 2023 AT 4:04 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL COSTER
  • MEMBER
I clicked on the part itself and saw the other names include "front pipe" or "tube exhaust front", as well as "catalytic converter", I'm thinking because the part normally in that spot is called "front pipe" or "exhaust tube front" typically, but this one just happens to also have a catalytic converter in it as well, so it's 2 parts in 1 and can be called either or both. I attached a pic where it says it's other names.
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Saturday, March 18th, 2023 AT 4:14 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • EXPERT
Hi,

That makes sense to me. Are you planning to install it yourself?

Joe
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Saturday, March 18th, 2023 AT 4:16 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL COSTER
  • MEMBER
Yes.
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Saturday, March 18th, 2023 AT 4:17 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • EXPERT
Mike,

I don't know if you need them, but I attached the directions below. If nothing other, it explains the easiest way to access it. LOL

Take care and if you have a chance, let me know how things turn out for you.

Joe

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Saturday, March 18th, 2023 AT 4:41 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL COSTER
  • MEMBER
Awesome great thanks, and will do.
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Saturday, March 18th, 2023 AT 4:43 PM

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