P2424 — HC Adsorption Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 2

OBD2 code P2424 flags a problem with the catalytic converter efficiency monitoring (HC adsorption catalyst efficiency below threshold bank 2). The car is usually drivable while you plan the repair. Common culprits: faulty downstream or upstream oxygen sensor, engine misfires damaging the catalyst, exhaust leak ahead of the converter.

powertrain (engine/transmission)

Is it safe to drive?

Short-term driving is OK Usually safe to drive for a limited time: the car remains drivable, but emissions are elevated and fuel economy suffers. Do not postpone if you notice power loss, overheating of the exhaust, or a strong smell — a clogged converter can damage the engine.

How to diagnose with an OBD scanner

Read the code and freeze frame Connect an OBD2 scanner, confirm P2424 is stored, and save the freeze frame data — it shows engine conditions when the fault was detected.
Check for companion codes and TSBs Related codes often reveal the real root cause. Also check manufacturer technical service bulletins (TSB) for your make and model — many P0xxx issues have factory fixes or software updates. Search by VIN on the manufacturer site or nhtsa.gov.
Inspect wiring and connectors Visually inspect the wiring harness and connectors related to the catalytic converter efficiency monitoring for damage, corrosion, chafing or poor contact.
Subsystem check Compare upstream and downstream O2 sensor waveforms in live data — a healthy converter smooths the rear signal.
Subsystem check Check for exhaust leaks and rule out misfire codes before condemning the converter.
Verify the repair Clear the code, complete a full drive cycle including the conditions from the freeze frame, and confirm P2424 does not return.

Approximate repair cost

Repair cost depends on which component actually failed. Typical scenarios for P2424 (parts and labor, USD, independent shop rates): Replace an oxygen sensor: $150–$450; Replace the catalytic converter: $800–$2,500; Repair an exhaust leak: $100–$350. Overall, fixing P2424 usually costs between $100 and $2,500. An accurate diagnosis before buying parts saves money — the most expensive scenario is rarely the first one to check.

Common questions

What are the symptoms of P2424?

Drivers most often notice: rattling noise from under the car, failed emissions test, slight loss of power at high rpm, Check Engine Light on.

How do I diagnose P2424 myself?

Start with a scan: confirm P2424, save the freeze frame and note any companion codes. Then inspect the wiring and connectors related to the catalytic converter efficiency monitoring, and verify the suspect component against live data before buying parts.

What is the most common cause of P2424?

The most common causes are: faulty downstream or upstream oxygen sensor, engine misfires damaging the catalyst, exhaust leak ahead of the converter.

Will P2424 clear itself?

Sometimes P2424 clears after a few drive cycles if the fault was intermittent — for example a loose connector or a tank of bad fuel. The underlying cause usually remains, so the code tends to return. Clear it once; if it comes back, diagnose rather than erase it repeatedly.

What does OBD2 code P2424 mean?

What does P2424 mean?

P2424 is logged by the onboard diagnostics when the catalytic converter efficiency monitoring does not behave as expected. The official definition is “HC Adsorption Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 2”. This is a powertrain (engine/transmission) category code.

“Bank 2” means the side of the engine opposite to cylinder 1. Verify which side that is on your specific engine before testing or replacing parts.

This code does not appear from a single bad reading: the module must see the fault condition repeat under defined operating conditions before it turns on the warning light. The freeze frame captured with P2424 — engine load, rpm, temperature, speed — tells you exactly when the problem occurs, so reproduce those conditions when testing.

Common symptoms of P2424

rattling noise from under the car
failed emissions test
slight loss of power at high rpm
Check Engine Light on
increased fuel consumption
sulfur or rotten-egg smell from the exhaust

What causes P2424?

faulty downstream or upstream oxygen sensor
engine misfires damaging the catalyst
exhaust leak ahead of the converter
aged or contaminated catalytic converter

How to diagnose P2424

Connect an OBD2 scanner, confirm P2424 is stored, and save the freeze frame data — it shows engine conditions when the fault was detected.
Related codes often reveal the real root cause. Also check manufacturer technical service bulletins (TSB) for your make and model — many P0xxx issues have factory fixes or software updates. Search by VIN on the manufacturer site or nhtsa.gov.
Visually inspect the wiring harness and connectors related to the catalytic converter efficiency monitoring for damage, corrosion, chafing or poor contact.
Compare upstream and downstream O2 sensor waveforms in live data — a healthy converter smooths the rear signal.
Check for exhaust leaks and rule out misfire codes before condemning the converter.
Clear the code, complete a full drive cycle including the conditions from the freeze frame, and confirm P2424 does not return.

How to fix P2424

Start with the cheapest and most common causes before replacing expensive parts:

Replace an oxygen sensor — $150–$450
Replace the catalytic converter — $800–$2,500
Repair an exhaust leak — $100–$350

How much does it cost to fix P2424?

Repair cost depends on which component actually failed. Typical scenarios for P2424 (parts and labor, USD, independent shop rates):

Replace an oxygen sensor: $150–$450
Replace the catalytic converter: $800–$2,500
Repair an exhaust leak: $100–$350

Overall, fixing P2424 usually costs between $100 and $2,500. An accurate diagnosis before buying parts saves money — the most expensive scenario is rarely the first one to check.

Can you drive with P2424?

Usually safe to drive for a limited time: the car remains drivable, but emissions are elevated and fuel economy suffers. Do not postpone if you notice power loss, overheating of the exhaust, or a strong smell — a clogged converter can damage the engine.