P0420/P0430 A Murder Mystery on Who Killed the Cat: 

A vehicle sets a P0420 or P0430 diagnostic trouble code (DTC), catalytic converter is often quickly diagnosed for these codes. However, a failed "cat" is frequently the victim of an underlying engine malfunction rather than the root cause itself. This advanced automotive diagnostics course transforms technical training into an investigative crime scene. Technicians will learn to interrogate the data to identify the true "suspects" (harmful exhaust gases, rich/lean conditions) and protect the replacement converter from premature failure.

Course Overview Foundations:

The class explores catalyst chemistry, common failure modes such as sintering and mechanical restriction, and the importance of light-off strategies in today’s internal combustion engines. Students will analyze switch ratios, Mode 6 data, integrated air/fuel methods, DFSO behavior, and “the gap” technique to determine catalyst oxygen-storage capacity.

About Josh: