2015 Hyundai i10 premium 55,000 miles automatic
How can I check the date that the code came up?
My friend had his catalytic converter 3 months ago replaced. He had a car accident, he lost control of the vehicle and hit the road divider. Shortly after the accident check engine, light came on with code P0420. His car was towed to the mechanic that the insurance company told him to go to, he didn’t know that he can go to any automotive shop instead. So the mechanic is claiming that isn’t connected to the accident but is connected to mechanical work that was done 3 month ago when they replaced it. So I want to see when the code came up and it will be a proof that the mechanic was laying and a proof to the insurance that it is connected to the car accident.
I don't know if it is important but he also says that when he turns on the AC there is a strong burned plastic smell.
Thank you for you help
How can I check the date that the code came up?
I don't think you can
the closest you can get ... I believe the freeze frame data will contain the amount of time elapsed since engine start. I think the engineers intended for trouble codes to be scanned within a day or two of occurring. And really, you shouldn't be driving around with a check engine light unless you absolutely know what you're doing (and then you wouldn't care about the date)
To my knowledge that's not part of the OBD2 specification, there is no date stamp on the codes. (The modules in the car have no idea what the date and time are to begin with.)
It's probably an open question, at this point, whether the P0420 is related to the accident or not. Here's a few things to think about, to see if they're worth pursuing:
1. What kind of catalytic converter was initially installed as a replacement? If they installed something other than an OEM, such as a jerry-rigged universal catalytic converter, it may not be up to spec for the vehicle. (Less precious metals, less effective). If that was the case, the mechanic would have a point.
He should probably press for a written or emailed explanation of PRECISELY why this mechanic believes that the accident did NOT damage the converter, including an explanation of any dents for physical damage on the converter housing or adjacent to the housing.
2. If the accident cracked the honeycomb-like screen that is the heart of the converter, or broke a piece of it off, then that might well be definitive. (It would indicate an impact that damaged the converter). The tell-tale sound is that converter might be rattling. Of course, an inspection would require that the converter be removed and inspected, photos or a video taken, and then rewelded to the exhaust pipes;
3. It's also possible that the cat is already, but either an O2 sensor is damaged, or the wiring (power and ground) to the sensor is damaged. That's a diagnostic issue.
4. There's other reasons for a P0420 code, as well. An exhaust leak upstream of from the converter, an air leak in the intake system, some problem with ignition timing or a leaky injector are just as likely to trigger this code. Have all of these been checked?
5. BTW, aftermarket cats are also covered under warranty, 5 years or 50K miles. If the cat is defective, and the accident did not cause the cat to fail, the shop that installed the replacement cat has to honor that warranty. See the EPA link, here:
I'd probably take the vehicle to a shop of his choosing, and ask them for a diagnostic evaluation, in writing. If they find something else OR some out-and-out fraud, they might well back him up. He'd have some evidence to bolster his claim.
The old rule in hypothesis production is correlation is not causation. (Concurrency is not equal to causality). His job is to demonstrate, via diagnosis and evidence, that there's a causal relationship, and not merely a concurrent relationship between the accident and the converter issue.
And remember, if the cat is actually defective, it should be covered by the shop that installed it, under warranty.
