How many catalytic converters does my car have?

2003 MAZDA 6
160,000 MILES • 3.0L • V6 • 2WD • MANUAL
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JAMES LITTLE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
how many are there?
Jul 29, 2021 at 8:43 PM
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SQM
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 6,383 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Hello,

Your vehicle has 4 catalytic converters.
See the diagram below for reference.
Let me know if you have any questions.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-catalytic-converter
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/bad-catalytic-converter-symptoms
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/catalytic-converter-replacement

Thank you.
Jul 29, 2021 at 10:08 PM
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STEVE W.
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 15,200 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
That car has a total of four converters under it. Two are parts of the exhaust manifolds, the third is attached under the engine while the fourth is back under the car under the passenger side. They are items 3, 5, 12, 13 in the second image. Both of the front converter units have O2 sensors in them (9 and 10), the downstream sensors are 7 and 8.
The two downstream units do not have O2 sensors in them (3 and 5) so if you have a code it likely isn't either of those. However they can get plugged.
Hope that answers the question, if you have more questions about them just ask.
Jul 29, 2021 at 10:12 PM
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