P0420 with no CEL?

I578855B to Mechanic Advice@gearhead.townEnglish · 1 year ago

I have a 2001 IS300 with just under 300k miles. My registration is due and I need to smog the car.

I got a check engine light a few weeks ago, P0420. The original catalytic converter is on its last legs.

However, the check engine light comes and goes. Today, the light turned itself off.

I took my scan tool and plugged it into the OBD port and scanned for codes.
The tool said that I have a fault code, not a pending code, P0420. Even though the check engine light is not illuminated.

I am pretty sure if I took the car to the smog shack right now, it would still fail, because the computer is saying Fault Code P0420, even though the CEL is off.

Am I right in thinking this, or would the car pass for some reason?

Thanks.

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