Bad catalytic converter?

2005 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
238,440 MILES • 3.8L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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JR47
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Been hearing a rattling sound when accelerating at highway speeds along with a sulfur/rotten egg smell now and then. Wondering if my catalytic converter is bad cause the other day I was driving to work and the car struggled to accelerate up a small hill while driving down the road and then it shuddered and turned the cruise control off as well as flashed the cel a few times. I did check codes one was for a misfire, don't remember what the others were but I'll check again later today.
May 17, 2025 at 12:33 PM
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JR47
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  • 114 POSTS
The codes are P0300 and P0420.
May 19, 2025 at 4:50 AM
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STRAILER
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You are correct, it looks like from what you have described and with these codes the catalytic converter is bad.

This guide can help confirm the issue:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-catalytic-converter

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/bad-catalytic-converter-symptoms

Clear the codes once the cat has been replaced. Please go over these guides and get back to us.
May 19, 2025 at 10:21 AM
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