help with check engine light code 43

[BlackAndTan]

after connecting the jumper wire it flashes four long lights followed by 3 short lights. i looked through the factory repair manual and it looks like the only thing it can be is the o2 sensor. can someone verify that this correct? the current sensor is only 1 1/2 years old, and i just cleaned it but it didn't help. will replacing it fix the problem? thanks in advance.

[cp[mike]]

on the list i have, "43 = fuel supply system. check the fuel pressure / fuel pressure regulator. also check the oxygen sensor." so it might not be just the o2 sensor.

[mrhonda]

Code 43 is the O2 sensor....pretty common.

[BlackAndTan]

i found the page in the manual that goes thru the troubleshooting for code 43. it looks like there is a 75% chance it is the o2 sensor. i think i might just replace it and hope it fixes it instead of going thru all the steps in the troubleshooting flow chart. it doesn't even run any differently but the light coming on every couple days is annoying.

[mrhonda]

Dude, with Hondas, if it says O2 sensor....then its the O2 sensor. VERY VERY rarely do you ever see a problem with something else like the wiring or something. Just replace it, even if for some reason it doesn't fix it, it could probably use a new one anyway.

[BustedLX]

Code 43 is a Fuel Supply system code. It's tru that it may be the O2 sensor however it could very well be items in the fuel supply system aswell.

We can't be so quick to dismiss something as an O2 when it might not be, that's what seperates parts changers from mechanics.

I've seen the spring in the FPR become week and start to bleed pressure down and throw a 43, I've even seen a few bad fuel pumps that can't build over 25 psi of fuel pressure and the car throws a 43. Doesn't run bad just throws a code (cause the O2 reads a lean condition at 3500 rpm for a long period of time). Then after it's fixed people get all pissed off cause they burn more gas, lol.

What I recomend BlackAndTan is get yourself a service manual. Even if you DL one from Icelord just get one because they have extensive troubleshooting information that will help your isolate the problem.

[BlackAndTan]

UPDATE! alright, well today while driving home from work the car started to lose power. i got into the right hand lane and kept my foot on the gas and it slowed down significantly. this lasted about 20 seconds when all of a sudden the check engine light came on again and the power came back and the car ran fine.
well i crossed my fingers and bought a new o2 sensor (a bosch universal). after installing it i took it for a test drive. i drove it atleast 20 miles and no light and no driving problems at all. in fact it felt like it ran better than ever. for the past two weeks any drive of at least 5-10 miles would always cause the check engine light to come on.
okay, here's where it gets tricky. i stopped at a fast food drive thru about 2 miles from my house. the line was very long and it took almost 15 minutes to get my order. when i started pulling out on the road, i lost power again for about ten seconds then it came back, then lost it again and it came back but the check engine light never came on.
what the hell is going on with my car? i am very close to taking it to the dealer (which i hate to do). tomorrow i am going to change the fuel filter which was done about 40k miles ago. but i am at a loss.
PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BustedLX]

Check your fuel pressure. Also have you ever used an injector cleaner? Might not be a bad idea to have those cleaned out.

When was the last time you changed cap, rotor, wires, and plugs?

When you say "lose power" do you mean the car is like bogging out, like a prolonged missfire?

[BlackAndTan]

you described the losing power exactly. 2 years and 40,000 miles between cap, rotor, and wires change. plugs were changed last week, hoping it would help, but it didn't.

[BustedLX]

Change the cap and rotor along with the fuel filter (It's probably the cap and rotor). It should get better if not go away completely (if you have a stock ignition) if the problem remains lightly like almost unnoticable then change the wires when you have the money.

Also make sure VERY important! That when you replaced your plugs you didn't accidentally drop one and close the gap between the ground strap and electrode. If you did that it would cause a missfire aswell. They must be properly gapped.

[BlackAndTan]

definitely didn't mess the gap up. besides it did this before. but i plan to replace the fuel filter, cap and rotor either today or tomorrow. could it be that it is not liking the bosch o2 sensor? have u heard anything negative about these?

[BustedLX]

If you wired it up incorrectly then it could be the problem but you would have a CEL. So I doubt it has anything to do with it. The Bosch is a great sensor.

[BlackAndTan]

well, i changed the cap, rotor and fuel filter. took it for a test drive, check engine light came on again. did not notice any loss of power but i'm sure if driven a little longer, it would have. i was so pissed i turned around and went home. as for wiring the bosch o2 sensor, all the wires matched up color for color with the one that was on there: 2 whites, 1 gray, and 1 black. i give up, i think i will be taking it to the dealer very soon. i can't think of anything else i can replace. i already spent $130 and there's no difference.

[BustedLX]

Color for color? The Accord's stock wire colors don't line-up with the Bosch O2's. The Accord's stock wires are white, yellow/black, Orange/black, and ummm I forgot the 4th one.

[BlackAndTan]

i had an ntk direct fit on there, and the colors matched up exactly so i just connected the same colors together. the instructions did not make much sense listing like 6 dif't o2 sensors. i wish i had a factory sensor just to check it.