What does P1420 mean on a Ford?

P1420. Catalyst Temperature Sensor Fault. Applies to Ford models with catalyst temperature monitoring.

What causes P1420 on a Ford?

Failed catalyst temperature sensor Open or shorted sensor circuit Heat-damaged sensor wiring Corroded connector PCM input fault

How do I fix P1420 on a Ford?

Inspect sensor wiring for heat damage Test sensor resistance Check circuit continuity Verify exhaust temperatures are sane Replace the sensor after circuit checks

Code

P1420

Catalyst Temperature Sensor Fault

Category: Powertrain - Auxiliary Emissions Controls
Severity: Check Engine Light
Applies to: Ford models with catalyst temperature monitoring
Related: No single generic twin. See OBD Codes List

Findings, check these first

Failed catalyst temperature sensor
Open or shorted sensor circuit
Heat-damaged sensor wiring
Corroded connector
PCM input fault

Standard procedure

Inspect sensor wiring for heat damage
Test sensor resistance
Check circuit continuity
Verify exhaust temperatures are sane
Replace the sensor after circuit checks

Code lookup

Type a code above, or start from a symptom or a common code.

Press / to jump to the box. Ford-enhanced powertrain, body, chassis and network codes. Generic P0xxx codes live on OBD Codes List.

Sources and review

Review: checked against the recorded source material.

OBDII.pro: P1420 Ford definition
live reference page (obdii.pro)
Supports: Ford-family meaning for P1420: Catalyst Temperature Sensor Failure
Fetched directly. obdii.pro is a publisher independent of the engine-codes family.
P1420 FORD Code: Meaning, Causes, and Symptoms | OBD2 Codes
live reference page (obd2-codes.co)
Supports: Ford meaning for P1420: Catalyst Temperature Sensor
Fetched directly. obd2-codes.co phrasing matches the engine-codes family, so it counts as one publisher.

Last updated 2026-09-06.

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