On 3-23-07 you posted this in the 5th gen. forum. I have the exact same issue, except mine has also started having very long crank times (more than 5 seconds) and sometimes won't start at all. I've had the p0430 code for some time but the hard starting came after replacing the timing chain. (Not fun). It jumped time when starting and luckily I didn't bend any valves.
I also have a y-pipe that eliminates the rear cat but the code is for the front cat and it seems that I should be getting the P0420 code also because the rear O2 is sniffing the front cat. Did you ever get any resolution about the rear O2 sensor on the front bank? If you're willing to discuss this directly my email is
sgg550@yahoo.com. I don't know where to read a response to this message on the forum.
Thanks very much for any info
Steve Gould
Well, I've escaped this code for some time and now it is haunting me again. Last time was a couple of months ago and it went away, but it's back!
Ok, so far no one has directly answered which bank is bank 2. So which one is bank 2? The side toward the front of the car? I have a y pipe CA Spec and at 112000 miles now. This pesky code has been coming on and off. I don't know if it's because there are loose wires or what. Since I have a CA spec with Cattman Y pipe, the rear downstream O2 sensor is basically sniffing the exhaust after the front precat (towards front of car).
So If the front precat is bad (causing P0430) wouldn't I get a code saying bank 1 (toward firewall) is bad too? This all assuming bank 2 is toward front.
I'm wondering if it's just the downstream (front) O2 sensor that is bad. Or do I really have to replace the front precat?
The car is kind of sluggish at low RPM and come to life after 2500RPM. I don't think my VI is bad as it still accelerates past 5000RPM when it kicks in.
If I can just replace the sensor, it's not too too expensive at Pep Boys. Bosch Univ replacements (cut/splice) cheaper, but OEM plugs are around $60-70 I think each.
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Sterling Mist 2000 SE Loaded