Mazda Protege P0421..Failed Inspection Help Please !!!!

Hi All,

I had Engine Check Light On for about a year. A day before the inspection, I got my codes reset by somebody else and next day failed inspection because of the "system not ready" status. 3 sensors were not ready (Catalyst, Evaporative System, and EGR). ECL returned after driving ~80 miles. Just bought my own code scanner, reset the codes and left the scanner connected to the OBD II while driving. After 32 miles, Catalyst Monitoring sensor got set and at the same time Check Engine Light returned, while Evaporative System Monitoring sensor is still not set. My car is Mazda Protege 2000 ES. I've heard cars 1996-2000 are alloweded to proceed with inspection even though 2 sensors are not ready. Is this true for New Jersey State? Are the certain rules for every state and wehre can I find them?
Based on "Failed" report, I have 8 sensors in total.



What could do to fix it and pass the inspection? I need a low cost solution,
as I dont have $700 to pay for a converter. Please Help!


DTC Information
Stored Codes: P0421
Warmup Catalyst Efficiency Below Normal (Bank 1)

Freeze Frame Information
DTC for which Freeze Frame was Stored P0421
Fuel System 1 Status: Closed Loop
Fuel System 2 Status: Not Supported
Calculated LOAD Value: 38.04 %
Engine Coolant Temp: 185.00 °F
Short Term Fuel Trim - Bank 1: -3.91 %
Long Term Fuel Trim - Bank 1: 8.59 %
Engine RPM: 2,074.00 rpm
Vehicle Speed Sensor: 47.85 mph

It all depends on which state you live in on how many monitors can be outstanding, but if the light is on then it really does not matter because it will fail. You need a convertor to correct the problem and it sounds like it not on the way out but is wore out if the light comes on as soon as the monitor sets.

Although some codes will be ignored by emissions tests this is one of the most important. the cat conv. is your emissions filter for the engine. it cleans the emissions more than any component on your car.

what i'm trying to say is that there are no easy fixes for this code. a cheap cat is hard to come by. sometimes you can buy them at a salvage (junk) yards, but usually you are gambling that it is good also. sorry, but the cat really needs replaced & you need to make sure the car is running good also so the cat conv doesn't go bad again because the engine is ruining it by not being tuned properly.