? on code 43 and power loss
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 286
Likes: 1
From: Washington DC
? on code 43 and power loss
For the past month or so, I've been experiencing a weird condition where I have an absolute loss of power....it's intermittent - @ WOT, sometimes it will feel like I'm driving a honda civic. Then all of the sudden it will pick up to normal performance. The vehicle hasn't thrown any codes at all during this time. Then, the other night, as I was pulling out of a filling station, I punched it - the car backfired a bit through the intake, and the check engine light illuminated. It was a code 43 - something to do with the ESC module or knock sensors. It seems weird to me that this is the first time the light would go on (seeing as how this has been happening for a month or so....)
Where does this code point me? Has it been anybodys experience that it is more than likely a knock sensor issue or is it more than likely an ESC module issue? I have the flow chart, just don't have a meter or any of my tools @ the house. Any help is appreciated.
One thing i will mention - this problem started around the same time (i think) as when I sawed off my exhaust right after the cat - could a real loud exhaust cause this condition? Just an idea.
Where does this code point me? Has it been anybodys experience that it is more than likely a knock sensor issue or is it more than likely an ESC module issue? I have the flow chart, just don't have a meter or any of my tools @ the house. Any help is appreciated.
One thing i will mention - this problem started around the same time (i think) as when I sawed off my exhaust right after the cat - could a real loud exhaust cause this condition? Just an idea.
Last edited by C4Ownr24; Apr 9, 2005 at 05:19 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 1
From: Zagreb, Croatia
I had the same situation on my '90.
It turned out it was bad connection on knock sensor.
I broke the connector and welded the wire directly to
sensor and no problems since than.
There is a procedure on testing knock sensor but I'll have to look
up for it.
It turned out it was bad connection on knock sensor.
I broke the connector and welded the wire directly to
sensor and no problems since than.
There is a procedure on testing knock sensor but I'll have to look
up for it.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 1
From: Zagreb, Croatia
Yeah, I've heard that headers or very loud exhaust could
cause false knock but I don't have that problems on
my vette and I have headers, and straight pipes with just
two small mufflers in the back, so I don't think you could
go much louder than that.
cause false knock but I don't have that problems on
my vette and I have headers, and straight pipes with just
two small mufflers in the back, so I don't think you could
go much louder than that.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
I dont think he mentioned it-
but the reason for your power loss is that after a code 43 is set (i.e. when your check engine light comes one) the computer retards your timing to whatever your base timing is (probably 6*)... so you drop from 20* or whatever EST timing is, to 6*
EDIT:::
BTW- my experience iwth a code 43:
replaced the sensor,
replaced the wiring and connector,
replaced the ESC module
STILL got code 43
disconnected the knock sensor (on advice of CFI-EFI)
STILL got code 43
but the reason for your power loss is that after a code 43 is set (i.e. when your check engine light comes one) the computer retards your timing to whatever your base timing is (probably 6*)... so you drop from 20* or whatever EST timing is, to 6*
EDIT:::
BTW- my experience iwth a code 43:
replaced the sensor,
replaced the wiring and connector,
replaced the ESC module
STILL got code 43
disconnected the knock sensor (on advice of CFI-EFI)
STILL got code 43
