2001 Prius Cat Converter & ECU

Tiznow13 · 11-10-2005, 06:58 PM

Has anyone had to replace the Cat Converter? I have a 2001 with 114,000 miles that has been virtually trouble-free until I was told I need to replace the Cat Converter and the Engine ECU, in addition the Power Steering Code has to be diagnosed. The car went in for normal service at 114k (oil, etc) and the engine warning light was on for almost two weeks when I rec'd this surprising news.

I find it hard to believe these major problems arise after the warranty expires. I have a call into the Service Manager to inquire if they can do anything for me. They told me the converter has to be replaced at the dealership.

Thanks.

tochatihu · 11-10-2005, 11:36 PM

As an alternative, email

ozron@direcway.com

and see if they have those components (cat, ECU) from salvage vehicles. Other salvage vehicle dismantlers also exist, such as LKQ. This of course assumes that you are willing to consider paying less for used parts.

The enhanced warranty on your power steering is *not* over until 5 years after the vehicle's in-service date. Hope you do not have to fight on this issue, good luck, keep posting, and let us help if we can.

john1701a · 11-11-2005, 12:53 AM

Some areas of the country used to have frighteningly high levels of sulfur in their gas. After enough years of using that, you could eventually see a CAT fail due to sulfur build up.

The deadline for the low-sulfur gas nationwide mandate is just 7 weeks away now. So it is a non-issue for all but the Prius with lots of miles already that were driven in dirty areas.

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11-10-2005, 06:58 PM	#1
Tiznow13 Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Has anyone had to replace the Cat Converter? I have a 2001 with 114,000 miles that has been virtually trouble-free until I was told I need to replace the Cat Converter and the Engine ECU, in addition the Power Steering Code has to be diagnosed. The car went in for normal service at 114k (oil, etc) and the engine warning light was on for almost two weeks when I rec'd this surprising news. I find it hard to believe these major problems arise after the warranty expires. I have a call into the Service Manager to inquire if they can do anything for me. They told me the converter has to be replaced at the dealership. Thanks.

11-10-2005, 11:36 PM	#2
tochatihu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kunming Yunnan China Posts: 2,408 My Car: 2001 Prius Model: Package: Pioneer #1 Thanks: 1 Thanked 38 Times in 38 Posts Friends: 14	As an alternative, email ozron@direcway.com and see if they have those components (cat, ECU) from salvage vehicles. Other salvage vehicle dismantlers also exist, such as LKQ. This of course assumes that you are willing to consider paying less for used parts. The enhanced warranty on your power steering is not over until 5 years after the vehicle's in-service date. Hope you do not have to fight on this issue, good luck, keep posting, and let us help if we can.

11-11-2005, 12:53 AM	#3
john1701a Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,375 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 9 Thanked 145 Times in 70 Posts Friends: 12	Some areas of the country used to have frighteningly high levels of sulfur in their gas. After enough years of using that, you could eventually see a CAT fail due to sulfur build up. The deadline for the low-sulfur gas nationwide mandate is just 7 weeks away now. So it is a non-issue for all but the Prius with lots of miles already that were driven in dirty areas.