I need to know why the front catalytic converter by the cooling fans on the radiator would be glowing red after only a 15 minute drive on a highway? I borrowed an OBD2 scanner and the only codes I am getting are p0141, p0330, and p1354. I have done a little research on these but don't know if one or all would be causing this type of issue. We are also experiencing shifting issues. We noticed that the car has issues when accelerating past 40 mph, it seems like it doesn't catch the next gear. And just recent;y it shutters off and on and even pops out of gear when driving 60 mph or more, it acts like it down shifts then shifts back rough randomly. The nearest dealership is 50 miles away and I don't want to risk causing more damage to it. For the shifting issue I tried to clean the IACV sensor which now the car won't even stay running without the accelerator being pushed to keep the car running. Any help I can get would be appreciated.

 

Do not keep driving your car like it is, you will only cause damage. You need to replace your bank one oil control valve as soon as possible. This causes the trans to shift oddly like you have been happening, and an overall rough running engine. You are most likely dumping fuel which is most likely causing it to turn red. I am no expert on knock sensors (your p0330 code) but I would just try replacing the bank one OCV first and go from there. As for the p0141 code for the oxygen sensor, I'm guessing the red cat caused that issue.

 

I have figured out the issue, I let the Carb cleaner evaporate before re-installing the intake lines which caused the issue. I also learned that my low idle was caused by one of the intake lines; it had a crack underneath. I purchased some aftermarket parts to fix this issue and I am in the process or replacing the knock sensors and a few vacuum lines as they were hard and brittle. Thank you for the help and suggestion and I will be keeping an eye on the OCV. I had another question could the timing belt also cause this type of issue? I have been researching and talking with several of my friends who are mechanics and they have all said it might be the timing belt. Thoughts!???

Thanks again,

Mr. B

 

Honestly anythings possible, it very well might be. But in my case, I had the EXACT same symptoms as your car (minus the knock sensor codes) and replacing the OCV cleared all of the issues, no issues since and that was a year and a half ago. You wouldn't think an oil valve would throw off the timing but it actually makes the engine run out of time, like it would if the timing belt was loose or had ended up misaligned. I was amazed such a simple sensor that moved oil through the engine had such a large impact on how the engine ran. Drive the car with the knock sensors and new vacuum lines and see if the OCV code comes back or your trans acts up again. If it does then you've found your problem.

 

The OCV valves in these cars are really nuts. My son's car ran fine for about 20mins then it went into a freak out mode. The car would feel like it was dying, then pop back to life. I swapped both OCV's and the car seems fine now. We had about 4 codes and they're gone now. I'm only going to use Mobil 1 5w-30 in this car. Am curious to see if this prolongs the life of the OCV's.

 

I know, that's exactly how my car was too. I'm thinking you should be just fine after that. I'd recommend using that oil and making sure to change your oil at the correct interval.