Hello!
Love my lexus. Have about 196,000 miles on it and its still going strong.
I read a couple forums about catalytic converters but just wanted to confirm for myself. Ive received the codes a couple of years ago but have read that you dont really need to fix it for the car to run. But i have a couple of questions for you guys.

1) Will not changing the catalytic converter for a while (around 2 years after the light comes on) damage my car in the long run? I always assumed it was more for emissions than anything else.

2) I know that you want to reset the codes and see if the codes come back within a month or so. My reliable mechanic back in philly reset the codes and it didnt come back within that time. But whenever i go to pep boys for an oil change the service engine light will pop up again within 2 weeks. I wonder if they reset the codes for it to come back on? (this may sound like an ignorant assumption but I dont know too much about cars and code readers haha) Also when my car died due to the car battery the light reset and came back within 2 weeks as well. If the light does come back what does that mean? does that mean not changing the converter would damage my car?

3) This may or may not be related but I also noticed a burning smell in my car as well within the past 1.5 - 2 years. I know this condition may be very vague but i also smell it more when i turn the AC towards HOT. Even when the AC is off there is a distinct burning smell coming through the vents of my car. Seems to originate form the hood (obviously) .

4) May also be unrelated but the AC will make this weird clicking noise if it is not set on HOT. For example if i put the AC at 76 degree and turn the AC off it will STILL make that weird clicking noise. it is only when i turn the AC back on and change it to HOT and then turn it back off that the clicking noise will stop. It is very odd to me.

Please let me know!
Thanks!!
(this forum is great)
Michael

 

Welcome to Club Lexus!

1) Not unless the cat becomes clogged. What code were you getting?

2) Refer to number 1. Need to know which code it was. Some codes will stay for a week and then go away.

3) Hard to diagnose over the internet. You may best off taking it to a shop. It could be anything.

4) A classic symptom of the air mix servo. Search it here, you will find the fix.

 

Thank you very much!
i believe the code was P0420

the service person at pep boys told me it was most likeley the front O2 causing the upstroke?

or something like that

 

You're welcome.

I had that code at one point, I replaced the sensor after the catalytic converter and that code hasn't ever returned. So I suggest replacing that sensor, it's pretty cheap as well, the sensor is only $63. With this particular code, you won't do any damage by just ignoring it.

Here's a DIY for that sensor:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...sor-2-diy.html