Catalyst Deactivation

The catalytic converter reduces the amount of toxic pollutants released into the air by converting harmful combustion gases into less harmful substances, such as water vapor and carbon dioxide. This is accomplished by exposing these fumes to chemicals and metals inside the converter, which trigger chemical reactions that transform toxic pollutants into relatively harmless ones. However, in certain situations, it may be necessary to disable the sensors in the engine control unit, for example, to determine the exact cause of a vehicle malfunction and eliminate other possibilities.