97 grand am 2.4 engine, convertor is turning cherry red! no power, codes read po420a twc system lo efficiency. could this be bad convertor.
Mar 9, 2006 at 10:29 AM
1997 Grand Am Converter Glowing Red
GMC
PANTHER
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Well I can assure you the cat is not supposed to glow red. It's probably restricted or you have excess fuel draining into the exhaust system. Based on the code that is being thrown, the catalyst in the convertor is toast.
Mar 9, 2006 at 2:18 PM
In addition to the second post, which I agree with, the true problem probably lies with something else in the fuel/emissions system. (unless the converter is physically damaged due to a hit or something like that) You'll need to fully test out the fuel system, vacuums, etc, to find the cause, or a new converter is likely to suffer the same fate. And you will surely need a new converter to play it safe.
Mar 25, 2006 at 5:27 PM
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Suggested Repair
The glowing converter and P0420 indicate a failed catalytic converter that should be replaced. Before installing a new one, test the fuel and emissions system, including excess fuel and vacuum leaks, so the replacement is not damaged the same way unless impact damage is the only cause.
Conversation Summary
A 1997 Grand Am 2.4 has a catalytic converter glowing cherry red, low power, and code P0420 for low catalyst efficiency. Experts say the converter should not glow and is likely restricted or damaged by excess fuel in the exhaust, so the catalyst is failed. They advise fully testing the fuel and vacuum systems for the underlying cause, then replacing the converter so a new one does not fail the same way.