Hi, I live in PA and my xB did not pass emissions inspection, the sensor indicated I needed a new catalytic converter. I purchased an Eastern ECO II 49-State Catalytic Converter for my model year but the mechanic said it was not the right one, if he put it on the warning lights would not go out. He suggested I go to the Toyota dealer. Any advice? Is this the right part or not? if not which one should i use? Thanks!!

 

I checked into the cost of a cat for my '05 at a local exhaust shop that has a good reputation and TONS of business as a result. They quoted me a good price for the install of one of their generic cats and mentioned nothing about warning lights not turning off. On the other hand, I also searched SL and I remember that if you go too generic with the cat, you can have problems like you are describing. I never really figured out what the issue was, but a search of these forums should give you the info you are looking for. Fwiw, if it were me, I would take it into a good muffler shop without the part you already have and see what they tell you. Then, assuming they tell you something similar to what I was told, I'd ask about the warning light issue that another shop told you about. Based on the reply to that question, you might then mention that you already have the part to see if they think it will work and if they would be willing to install it for you. A lot of times stories like the one you have can be boiled down to the fact that shops prefer to sell you their own parts for obvious reasons. Then, in addition to that, some mechanics are jerks (my cousin was that way) and rather than just say they don't want to install a part you carry in, they mess with you by sending you to a dealer's service department where they are certain you will "learn your lesson" about why you should never take your car to the dealer for repair.