P0430 Code - 2001 Boxster

[AtlantaBoxster]

I've been to a few places that read the check engine light code on OBD IIs. It seems they all read the same code P0430.

The reader stated the code was for "Bank 2" catalytic converter.

In order to make sure it was not the O2 sensors, I switched the passenger side and drivers side O2 sensors and stil got the same code. I know this does not eliminate other issues causing problems but I now know it was not the O2 sensors.

One question I cannot find the answer to is this -

Does "Bank 2" correspond to the drivers side or passenger side?

Thanks! This one has got me stumped as I've heard different things from different folks around my parts.

[thstone]

Bank 1 is the passenger side of a US car. Bank 2 is the driver's side.

Bank 1 consists of cylinders 1,2,3 from front to rear.
Bank 2 consists of cylinders 4,5,6 from front to rear.

[Jager]

Originally Posted by AtlantaBoxster

I've been to a few places that read the check engine light code on OBD IIs. It seems they all read the same code P0430.

The reader stated the code was for "Bank 2" catalytic converter.

In order to make sure it was not the O2 sensors, I switched the passenger side and drivers side O2 sensors and stil got the same code. I know this does not eliminate other issues causing problems but I now know it was not the O2 sensors.

One question I cannot find the answer to is this -

Does "Bank 2" correspond to the drivers side or passenger side?

Thanks! This one has got me stumped as I've heard different things from different folks around my parts.

Is P0430 the only alarm you have???

Jager

[AtlantaBoxster]

thstone - Thank you very much. It is good knowing this forum is available to get this kind of information.

Jager - Yes, that is the only code that shows up on the different readers.

[paulv]

Diagnosis conditions
• TWC temperature 420 - 600 °C
• 85 seconds within rpm/load range (cumulative)
• EVAP canister burden < 8
• Speed 1280 - 2440 rpm
• 20 - 40 % engine load (relative air charge)
• Oxygen sensing ahead of TWC is active
• Oxygen sensing after TWC ready for operation
• Engine starting temperature > - 20 °C
• No faults in memory
Possible fault cause
♦ Oxygen sensor ahead of and after TWC exchanged
♦ Valve lift fault
♦ Aged oxygen sensor after TWC
♦ TWC faulty


HTH

Regards,
paul...

[thstone]

A P0430 code means that the oxygen sensor downstream of the catalytic converter is detecting that the cat is not working properly. This results in higher emissions. Odds are that the car drives fine.

Likely causes are:
Exhaust leak
Intake leak
O2 sensor not working properly (could be either O2 sensor on Bank 2)
MAF (not likely but cheap to clean)
Cat not working properly

Most people start by looking for exhaust and intake leaks and if all seems well there then they replace the O2 sensors. Otherwise work your way down the list, and please note that its rare that the actual cat is bad. Its usually something else.

[AtlantaBoxster]

1) Moved O2 sensors from one side to the other - Still get P0430 code.
2) Just cleaned MAF sensor yesterday - waiting to see if code will pop up again. Never know how long it takes. Was replaced 2 years ago. Looked prestine.
3) Recently changed air/oil seperator.

thstone

I am not sure how I could check for exhaust or intake leak - Will google that. I 'm thinking I need a smoke generator of some sort though.

paulv - I must say you've thrown me for a loop in many of your diag suggestions.

You obviously have much more experience than I do. Are the items you detail relatively easy to do once I understand what they mean?

[lkchris]

The CAT "expects" (by design) an exhaust gas mixture that it can successfully clean up. If it doesn't get it the output from the cat won't be clean, obviously. In many instances the reason the cat doesn't get what it wants is a malfunctioning MAF. It all starts at the MAF and a "bad CAT" code may be the result but not the cause.

IMHO the weak link in the system is most often the MAF. CATs are required by law to last for 8 years/80k miles or else it's a free warranty replacement. 986 original cats are all past warranty of course, but the point is they are pretty tough designs.

I'm not positive, but I expect the only thing that will generate a bad MAF code is an electrical fault in the MAF itself. If it's just not creating a proper mixture that can be burned efficiently, expect codes most often for downstream components. But look at the MAF first. And, I'd expect the success rate for just "cleaning" the MAF to be small.

Discussion?

[Jager]

Here is my P0430 story:

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/47002-calling-986-forum-master-mechanics-2.html

[KRAM36]

If you need to replace the cats, why not go with this set?

Removed the link. Company did not go through with the sale. I'll have to say steer clear of Vivid Racing when buying parts.

My cats are bad, due to a slow leaking AOS mucking them up. I ordered a set of the above headers last Friday. Secondary cat delete pipes, resonators and Borla muffler setting here waiting for them.

My O2 sensors were bad too, have nice new O2 sensors waiting on the headers too.

[Tweetdriver63]

My 2001 has two codes that show whenever the CEL comes on. It was this way when I bought it, and the previous owner said it was something that started happening after he had an issue with the AOS. Note: I replaced the AOS last year to cure some white smoke that sometimes showed up when first starting up after sitting a while.

Anyway, just as the previous owner had told me, that CEL would come on every now and then, but not frequently. I would go months without it showing back up after I cleared it with my Durametric. Lately it's coming on every couple of days.

The two codes are the P0430 and P0197 (oil temperature sensor below specified value).

These codes never show up separately. Every time the CEL comes on, I get both codes, and always the same two.

I've read a lot of threads now, and I'm not sure where to go from here.
What values should I look at in the Durametric to help diagnose these problems?

[blue62]

Originally Posted by Tweetdriver63

My 2001 has two codes that show whenever the CEL comes on. It was this way when I bought it, and the previous owner said it was something that started happening after he had an issue with the AOS. Note: I replaced the AOS last year to cure some white smoke that sometimes showed up when first starting up after sitting a while.

Anyway, just as the previous owner had told me, that CEL would come on every now and then, but not frequently. I would go months without it showing back up after I cleared it with my Durametric. Lately it's coming on every couple of days.

The two codes are the P0430 and P0197 (oil temperature sensor below specified value).

These codes never show up separately. Every time the CEL comes on, I get both codes, and always the same two.

I've read a lot of threads now, and I'm not sure where to go from here.
What values should I look at in the Durametric to help diagnose these problems?

your P0197 code is listed as a short to ground

Going with simplest things first diagnostic principals I would try to find out why the oil temp sensor is throwing a code.
It could be a wiring issue some where between the DME and the oil sensor.
It could be a faulty connection in that wiring.
It could be the oil sensor its self.

Point is find and fix the oil senor issue first. It should be simpler, easier and cheaper.
Once that is fixed it could fix the P0430 code as well.

These are just my thoughts and guess's on the issue

[Tweetdriver63]

Originally Posted by blue62

your P0197 code is listed as a short to ground/ lean mixture threshold.
I interpret that as an issue that is seen by the oil temp sensor which in turn tells the DME that the fuel air mixture needs to be leaned out. It has reached it's full lean limit and thus set the code. This in turn affects o2 sensor readings. which in turn could be the cause of the P0430 code.

Going with simplest things first diagnostic principals I would try to find out why the oil temp sensor is throwing a code.
It could be a wiring issue some where between the DME and the oil sensor.
It could be a faulty connection in that wiring.
It could be the oil sensor its self.

Point is find and fix the oil senor issue first. It should be simpler, easier and cheaper.
Once that is fixed it could fix the P0430 code as well.

These are just my thoughts and guess's on the issue

Thanks for the reply. I will start with replacing the oil temp sensor and see what happens.

[blue62]

I would make sure the wiring to and from the sensor is not the problem before replacing the sensor. The P0197 code is for a short to ground on that oil temp sensor. Could be as simple as a bare wire touching metal.