1999 Cougar Issues

[Handy Mike]

I have a 1999 Cougar with multiple OBD codes. I was told it was the catalytic converter. All six cylinders indicate misfiring codes (301-306); Code 156 O2 sensor; lean and rich on same bank. Codes 402 & 420 also do come up. Could the catalytic converter if plugged cause all or any of these problem codes? Thanks

[slymer]

potentially. If the restriction is great enough, it will prevent the car from even running at all. however, if the catalytic converter is plugged, then that indicates that there are other issues with the car. It's not burning fuel properly, it's running rich and flooding the cat with gas and melting the cat (to plug it), etc. Replacing the cat may fix some of the issues with the codes, but you probably have some severe carbon build up on the oxygen sensors (may need replacing) and probably need to clean out the intake of the carbon build up (carb/throttle body cleaner works great for this). If you haven't changed the plugs or wires on the car, that may need to be done too. The injectors may need cleaning as well. I'm not sure how you would go about checking the catalytic converter on that car though. I know on some others, you just un-bolt it and look at it. if it looks like a nice mesh or screen, then it's probably fine. If it looks like a melted blob inside, definitely bad. If it rattles (shake it back and forth and it sounds like there's rocks in it) then it's bad.

[Handy Mike]

I just wanted to let you know my plan of action

I am going to remove cat
change plugs
clean intakes with carb cleaner
clear codes and then operate car.

with no cat I shouldn't have any restrictions.
PS car was given to my grandson and now you guessed it
Grampy has to try to make it right.

Will keep you informed

[slymer]

That would definitely be the best way to test the cat theory, but you will get an additional code from that about the cat being bad due to the second oxygen sensor aft of the cat. If that's the ONLY code you get, then the cat IS the problem.

[Aftedia09]

Cool. Id want a different band though. The orange just doesnt do it for me. Can they make them with an alarm that sounds like a cougar?

[orten999]

You have a 1999 Cougar with multiple OBD codes,I also want to buy this but I have not any information about this.


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