Pulled SES code today...whats it mean?? LONG POST

reporter

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Jun 9, 2003
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Hi all, I've been occasionally getting the SES light on my '03 gt lately (post hurricane Katrina), and I was merely disconnecting the battery for an hour or so and it would go away for a few weeks. Well it came back on this morning on first start(4th time) so I decided it was time to get it pulled at auto zone. Well the code they pulled was: P0430, which they said is either:

1: EGR
2: O2 Sensor (after cats, but didnt say which one, left or right)
3: Cats

Well, here is my situation. The car is an '03GT, with less than 16k miles on it, has been babied (I occasionally get on it, done maybe 3-4 burnouts MAX since I've bought it new in '03, had her up to 120 maybe 3 times) since I've bought it new. Current mods are:
1: Dr.Gas off road X pipe, which I ordered the catco high performance cats from Dr.Gas at the same time, which I had welded in when the X was put in.

2: Flowmaster 2 chamber Delta Flo's

3: Steeda Cold Air intake (I know...looks only, but it does look good)

4: H&R Sport(not super sport) springs (1.6front/1.5 rear drop)

4: Pro3i Caster camber plates

5: Ford Racing 373's, with brothers performance speed calibator.

Well anyway, I'm way under the warranty period or mileage BUT I took it to Ford one time before (had a rattle in the right front of the engine compartment which ended up being caused by steeda CAI shield vibrating against inside of fender, which I ended up trimming with my dremel) and after they put it on the rack they said they couldnt work the issue because I have an aftermarket exhaust, and suspension (WTF!!!). Anyway I told them screw 'em, and once I got home I found the problem and fixed it myself.
Well, now I have a problem with one of these 3 issues that the code states, and I know they are either gonna say it was caused by my exhaust(which has NEVER caused a problem in 2-1/2 years) or void my warranty(which they may have done the last time I took it to them anyway!!! On top of all this, I think it was caused by hurricane Katrina waters possibly rising under the car(it didnt flood, BUT driver window got busted and got less than 1/2 inch of water in floorboards, which dried out by the next day) and maybe submerging the cats and or O2 sensors. What should I do???? I'm thinking maybe just cut out the cats, and throw in some O2 sims (car is paid for anyway due to insurance company totaling it out for 1/2 inch of water inside from rain comming in thru busted window, and I bought the car back cash). By the way, the car runs strong as hell and seems slightly stronger it seems once the SES light comes on. Only other annoyance is the same 'ol cold shift 1-2 clunk(had since bought) and warm starts hesitation(had since bought). SUGGESTIONS PLEASE!!!!! :shrug:
 
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reporter said:
Hi all, I've been occasionally getting the SES light on my '03 gt lately (post hurricane Katrina), and I was merely disconnecting the battery for an hour or so and it would go away for a few weeks. Well it came back on this morning on first start(4th time) so I decided it was time to get it pulled at auto zone. Well the code they pulled was: P0430, which they said is either:

1: EGR
2: O2 Sensor (after cats, but didnt say which one, left or right)
3: Cats

Well, here is my situation. The car is an '03GT, with less than 16k miles on it, has been babied (I occasionally get on it, done maybe 3-4 burnouts MAX since I've bought it new in '03, had her up to 120 maybe 3 times) since I've bought it new. Current mods are:
1: Dr.Gas off road X pipe, which I ordered the catco high performance cats from Dr.Gas at the same time, which I had welded in when the X was put in.

2: Flowmaster 2 chamber Delta Flo's

3: Steeda Cold Air intake (I know...looks only, but it does look good)

4: H&R Sport(not super sport) springs (1.6front/1.5 rear drop)

4: Pro3i Caster camber plates

5: Ford Racing 373's, with brothers performance speed calibator.

Well anyway, I'm way under the warranty period or mileage BUT I took it to Ford one time before (had a rattle in the right front of the engine compartment which ended up being caused by steeda CAI shield vibrating against inside of fender, which I ended up trimming with my dremel) and after they put it on the rack they said they couldnt work the issue because I have an aftermarket exhaust, and suspension (WTF!!!). Anyway I told them screw 'em, and once I got home I found the problem and fixed it myself.
Well, now I have a problem with one of these 3 issues that the code states, and I know they are either gonna say it was caused by my exhaust(which has NEVER caused a problem in 2-1/2 years) or void my warranty(which they may have done the last time I took it to them anyway!!! On top of all this, I think it was caused by hurricane Katrina waters possibly rising under the car(it didnt flood, BUT driver window got busted and got less than 1/2 inch of water in floorboards, which dried out by the next day) and maybe submerging the cats and or O2 sensors. What should I do???? I'm thinking maybe just cut out the cats, and throw in some O2 sims (car is paid for anyway due to insurance company totaling it out for 1/2 inch of water inside from rain comming in thru busted window, and I bought the car back cash). By the way, the car runs strong as hell and seems slightly stronger it seems once the SES light comes on. Only other annoyance is the same 'ol cold shift 1-2 clunk(had since bought) and warm starts hesitation(had since bought). SUGGESTIONS PLEASE!!!!! :shrug:

Unless you messed with your EGR setup, they shouldn't deny a warranty claim for fixing it. I have aftermarket exhaust including no cats, etc, and have never had an issue. If your dealership claims they can't fix it under warranty, then take it somewhere else, or talk to the service manager. They can't VOID your warranty because of aftermarket parts.. there is a law protecting us from that. Magnusson Fergusson or something act. If an aftermarket part is found to cause a problem (i.e. you lower the car, and you rub a hole in the oil pan or something,) then it can be refused.
 
P0430 Catalyst System Efficiency below Limit - Bank No 2.

1 of 3 things...the cat is goofed, the code is bing thrown due to hiflo cat or the sensor after the cat is bad. Just get sims and be done with it. Sometimes hiflo cats will cause a code too.
 
Hey thanks for all the help guys. By the way, coramprat, which side is bank 2 anyway? Is that (looking from in front of vehicle) the right side(ie, driverside??) . Also, anyone ever heard a Dr.Gas, without cats, and if so what would be the best O2 sims to get for installation???? I bet this thing would ROAR if I cut out those cats, as it's freakin scary sounding as it is!!!