Hey Jack? I Just Got A P0431 Warm Up Catalyst; Bank 2: Efficiency Below Threshold

Benjisan265 · Apr 17, 2019

Going to work this morning and I got a check engine light. Just checked it with VCDS and the only fault found was this one below.

16815 - Warm Up Catalyst; Bank 2: Efficiency Below Threshold
P0431 - 001 - Upper Limit Exceeded

Before I screw myself over again I thought I would run this past the members here on what I should check.

Please don't tell me I have a bad cat now. I have been driving the car about 40 miles each way to work for the past two months without any real issues, but for the instrument cluster fiasco. Car seems to be running great even right after the check engine light came on. Fuel economy didn't change one bit. Still getting about 26.9 mpgs

Robert

Jack@European_Parts · Apr 18, 2019

Hey Jack? I Just Got A P0431 Warm Up Catalyst; Bank 2: Efficiency Below Threshold

Going to work this morning and I got a check engine light. Just checked it with VCDS and the only fault found was this one below.

16815 - Warm Up Catalyst; Bank 2: Efficiency Below Threshold
P0431 - 001 - Upper Limit Exceeded

Before I screw myself over again I thought I would run this past the members here on what I should check.

Please don't tell me I have a bad cat now. I have been driving the car about 40 miles each way to work for the past two months without any real issues, but for the instrument cluster fiasco. Car seems to be running great even right after the check engine light came on. Fuel economy didn't change one bit. Still getting about 26.9 mpgs

Robert

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 01: Engine Labels: 06C-909-559-ASN.LBL
Controller: 8E0 909 559 D
Component: 3.0L V6/5V G 0002<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Indeed update firmware available for this part number as per TSB
Coding: 0016751
Shop #: WSC 63351
VCID: 361FE21A015F
5 Faults Found:
17978 - Engine Start Blocked by Immobilizer
P1570 - 008 - Implausible Signal
18010 - Power Supply Terminal 30: Voltage too Low
P1602 - 002 - Lower Limit Exceeded - Intermittent
18107 - Powertrain Data Bus: Missing Message from Steering Wheel Electronics
P1699 - 008 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent
18043 - Powertrain Data Bus: Missing Message from A/C Controller
P1635 - 008 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent
18058 - Powertrain Data Bus: Missing Message from Instrument Cluster
P1650 - 004 - No Signal/Communication - Intermittent
Readiness: 0110 1101

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Robert,

Let's hope not.
Post a new auto-scan and obd2 data modes 1,3,7&9 please.

Then I want you to clear faults and let's run readiness tests.
Direct CAT tests are 0x01-04-046 & 047 please report all readiness tests & trims.

https://forums.ross-tech.com/showthread.php?3147-What-is-Jack-talking-about-0x01-08-000

https://forums.ross-tech.com/showth...ases-and-vacuum-amp-so-should-you!-Air-leaks!

https://forums.ross-tech.com/showth...essional-Problem-Solver-Guide-quot-JPPSG-quot

http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/16815/P0431/001073

16815/P0431/001073 - Warm Up Catalyst; Bank 2: Efficiency Below Threshold

Possible Causes

Warm Up Catalyst Bank 2 faulty

Possible Solutions

Check Warm Up Catalyst Bank 2

Set Readiness

Replace Warm Up Catalyst Bank 2

Special Notes

When found on the following, there may be a firmware update:

2000 - 2001 Passat with ATQ engine, see TSB 01-07-07 (TPI 2010372)

2000 - 2001 A4 or A6 with ATQ engine, see TSB 26-08-07 (TPI 2013086)

2001 Allroad with APB engine, see TSB 01-08-20 (TPI 2005579)

2001 A4 or A6 with APB engine, see TSB 01-08-34 (TPI 2012357)

Benjisan265 · Apr 18, 2019

Hi Jack,

I have VCDS-Lite which doesn't have the options for obd2 data modes.

Below is the 046 and 047 and new auto scan. I cleared the code last night and the check engine light stayed off for both commutes to work today.

Code:

VCDS-Lite Version: Release 1.2
Thursday, 18 April 2019, 13:58:18:18369


Chassis Type: 8E - Audi A4 B6
Scan: 01,02,03,08,09,0F,11,15,16,17,18,36,37,45,46,55,56,57,65,67,69,75,76,77
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 01: Engine       Labels: 06C-909-559-ASN.LBL
   Controller: 8E0 909 559 D
   Component: 3.0L V6/5V      G   0002
   Coding: 0016751
   Shop #: WSC 63351
   VCID: 361FE21A015F
No fault code found.
Readiness: 0000 0100

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 02: Auto Trans       Labels: 01V-927-156.LBL
   Controller: 8E0 927 156 Q
   Component: AG5 01V 3.0l5V  USA 1213
   Coding: 0001002
   Shop #: WSC 06117
   VCID: 3C0BF0323F73
No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 03: ABS Brakes       Labels: 8E0-614-517.LBL
   Controller: 8E0 614 517 A
   Component: ABS/ESP allrad      1726
   Coding: 04497
   Shop #: WSC 06479
   VCID: 263F325AD1FF
1 Fault Found:
01317 -  Control Module in Instrument Cluster (J285)
            49-10 -  No Communications - Intermittent

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 08: Auto HVAC       Labels: 8E0-820-043.LBL
   Controller: 8E0 820 043 G
   Component:   A4 Klimaautomat   0712
   Coding: 00000
   Shop #: WSC 63351
   VCID: 253D3556ACF9
4 Faults Found:
01274 -  Air Flow Flap Positioning Motor (V71)
            41-10 -  Blocked or No Voltage - Intermittent
00604 -  Potentiometer Positioning Motor for Air Flow Flap (G113)
            30-10 -  Open or Short to Plus - Intermittent
01592 -  Air Quality Sensor (G238)
            37-00 -  Faulty
65535 -  Internal Control Module Memory Error
            00-00 -   -

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 09: Cent. Elect.       Labels: 8E0-907-279-8E2.LBL
   Controller: 8E0 907 279 E
   Component: int. Lastmodul  USA 0204
   Coding: 00013
   Shop #: WSC 63351
   VCID: 341BD8121723
No Faults Found
  or DTCs not supported by controller
  or a communication error ocurred

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 15: Airbags       Labels: 8E0-959-655-84.LBL
   Controller: 8E0 959 655 A
   Component: Airbag 8.4E         3000
   Coding: 0010607
   Shop #: WSC 63351
   VCID: 351DE5161C59
No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 16: Steering wheel       Labels: 8E0-953-549.LBL
   Controller: 8E0 953 549 L
   Component: Lenksáulenmodul     0308
   Coding: 01141
   Shop #: WSC 63351
   VCID: 3C0BF0323F73
No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 17: Instruments       Labels: 8E0-920-9xx-8E2.LBL
   Controller: 8E0 920 950 L
   Component: KOMBI+WEGFAHRS. RB4 D36
   Coding: 00201
   Shop #: WSC 00001
   VCID: 8C6BE0F2AF53
   WAULT68E52A099660     AUZ6Z0A0208491
1 Fault Found:
01300 -  Control Module for Navigation with CD-Rom (J401)
            49-10 -  No Communications - Intermittent

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 36: Seat Mem. Drvr       Labels: 8E0-959-760.LBL
   Controller: 8E0 959 760 
   Component: Sitzmemory R2 F     0201
   Coding: 00002
   Shop #: WSC 63351
   VCID: F1959106A8B1
2 Faults Found:
01317 -  Control Module in Instrument Cluster (J285)
            49-10 -  No Communications - Intermittent
00474 -  Control Module for Immobilizer
            49-10 -  No Communications - Intermittent

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 37: Navigation       Labels: None
   Controller: 4B0 919 887 D
   Component: BNS 4.1 H05    BNO 0005
   VCID: 341BD8121723
No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 45: Inter. Monitor       Labels: 8E0-951-177.LBL
   Controller: 8E0 951 177 
   Component: Innenraumueberw.   0504
   Coding: 00001
   Shop #: WSC 00000
   VCID: EBA9836E8A9D
No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 46: Central Conv.       Labels: 8E0-959-433-MAX.LBL
   Controller: 8E0 959 433 T
   Component: Komfortgerát T5B    0616
   Coding: 11788
   Shop #: WSC 63351
   VCID: 42F78ECA5D97
3 Faults Found:
01317 -  Control Module in Instrument Cluster (J285)
            49-10 -  No Communications - Intermittent
01561 -  Left Rear Door
            59-10 -  Can't Unlock - Intermittent
01562 -  Right Rear Door
            59-10 -  Can't Unlock - Intermittent

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 55: Xenon Range       Labels: 4Z7-907-357.LBL
   Controller: 4Z7 907 357 
   Component: dynamische LWR       D06
   Coding: 00060
   Shop #: WSC 63351
   VCID: 047B48D20703
No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 56: Radio       Labels: 8E0-035-1xx-56.LBL
   Controller: 8E0 035 195 A
   Component: symphony II NP2    0008 
   Coding: 00201
   Shop #: WSC 00000
   VCID: 253D3556ACF9
1 Fault Found:
00858 -  Connection; Radio ZF Output to Antenna Amplifier
            36-00 -  Open Circuit

End   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jack@European_Parts · Apr 18, 2019

The RTFB says that firmware is to be up to date when referencing the TSB right Davy?

Benjisan265 · Apr 19, 2019

Hi Jack,

Keeping the firmware update as an option, but I'm wondering if an exhaust leak could be the real cause of the catalyst bank 2 efficiency code.

I'm off today and I was just underneath the car and spotted this deteriorated exhaust clamp and when the car was running. I could hear the clamp leaking.

Does anybody know which side is bank two?

Going to get a new clamp anyways, but any thoughts on this besides the costly firmware update.

Jack@European_Parts · Apr 19, 2019

Could be, but I doubt it........

Yawn......

Don't buy a new clamp unless genuine, if AFT...... it will rot off in 6 months.

Buy some stainless U bolt clamps at auto-parts store because the inside clamp shell is still good.

Larry Manton · Apr 20, 2019

Benjisan 265. Would be interested if fuel trim a little chubbier on that bank seeing oxygen and adding fuel to compensate, might get lucky,

LARIMORE

Jack@European_Parts · Apr 20, 2019

Meh.........

Is the RTFB a lie?

Benjisan265 · Apr 20, 2019

Larry Manton said:
Benjisan 265. Would be interested if fuel trim a little chubbier on that bank seeing oxygen and adding fuel to compensate, might get lucky,

LARIMORE

I just ordered a set of new clamps from Amazon by a manufacturer named HJ Schulte. Company claims to make OEM parts for various automobile companies including Vw/Audi, Mercedes etc...

Quality looks good and feedback from other buyers was excellent.

When I was cleaning up the area around the clamp shell yesterday a big chunk of it fell off and the rest of the metal around that area where a u-bolt clamp would go was very soft. So a new clamp is needed.

I'm going to try out the new clamp first and see if things improve. From further online research I found that bank 2 is the drivers side which happens to be the same side with the leaking rusted out clamp.

As I was reading comments on the Amazon website there were a few comments from people who had a check engine light on for catalytic converters not being 100 percent efficient. And they recommended using a cheap 90 degree spark plug defowler to move the downstream 02 sensor a little further away from the exhaust gas in order to trick the ecm into seeing a more favorable reading.

Of course I realize that that would only be a temporary fix if it actually works since the catalytic converter is likely going bad.

Edit: How do I check the fuel trims? Can VCDS lite do it?

Benjisan265 · Apr 20, 2019

Jack@European_Parts said:
Could be, but I doubt it........

Yawn......

Don't buy a new clamp unless genuine, if AFT...... it will rot off in 6 months.

Buy some stainless U bolt clamps at auto-parts store because the inside clamp shell is still good.

Why do you doubt it Jack?

Do the numbers for 046 and 047 look real bad?

Wouldn't an exhaust leak throw off the 02 sensors reading?

Jack@European_Parts · Apr 20, 2019

Why do you doubt it Jack?

Do the numbers for 046 and 047 look real bad?

Wouldn't an exhaust leak throw off the 02 sensors reading?

It would but that leak is post OXS & isn't that bad of a leak.
I bet it quiets down after it warms up and expands.
The CAT is monitored HOT, not cold when that leak is most annoying.
Also if exhaust leak was impaired we would see a trim issue and a SAI DTC more likely.

The CAT in error teetering is the one closest to manifold.

Benjisan265 · May 4, 2019

Hi, just a quick update.

I did fix the exhaust clamp that was leaking and also installed an 02 sensor extender and haven't had the cat efficiency code reappear as of yet.

One thing I did notice prior to getting the parts to install was that the check engine light for the cat efficiency would only come on if the car sat at an idle. If I came to a stop and put the gear selector in neutral the light would not come on. But the moment I let the car sit in drive at an idle for a small length of time I would eventually get the check engine light.

Check engine light never came on while I driving at any speed above idle.

Robert

Jack@European_Parts · May 4, 2019

I did fix the exhaust clamp that was leaking and also installed an 02 sensor extender and haven't had the cat efficiency code reappear as of yet.

Robert why install defeat devices?

Hey Jack? I Just Got A P0431 Warm Up Catalyst; Bank 2: Efficiency Below Threshold

Benjisan265

Verified VCDS-Lite User

Jack@European_Parts

Gone But Not Forgotten

Benjisan265

Verified VCDS-Lite User

Jack@European_Parts

Gone But Not Forgotten

Benjisan265

Verified VCDS-Lite User

Jack@European_Parts

Gone But Not Forgotten

Larry Manton

Verified VCDS User

Jack@European_Parts

Gone But Not Forgotten

Benjisan265

Verified VCDS-Lite User

Benjisan265

Verified VCDS-Lite User

Jack@European_Parts

Gone But Not Forgotten

Benjisan265

Verified VCDS-Lite User

Jack@European_Parts

Gone But Not Forgotten