Ok guys, I left a post several months ago concerning the ol "code 43" and I tried several things to remedy it. I kept getting this code right after my head gasket/valve job. I was running 93 octane gas, and a 160 T-Stat. I have tried EVERY timing I can think of lol, retarded all the way to 12 advanced. It seems the 12 advanced works the best, I dont get the code as much, but I dont like running my timing that high with a stock cam. But that was the suggestion I got, to keep bumping my timing up to get rid of the code. I also tried getting a new knock sensor, all 70 bucks of it at that, and that didnt work.

I own a 1988 Camaro SC, 305 V8 TBI, Vin code E with a Borg Warner T5 5 speed manual transmission with the stock rear end with 3:08 gears.

These are the mods I have done to the car.

Edelbrock open air element.

160 T-Stat

The Throttle body is completely stock, no mods have been made yet, along with the fuel pump, completely stock.

Timing is currently advanced to 12 degrees, and 93 octane fuel is being used.

Edelbrock Exhaust Headers, emissions legal

Flowmaster American Thunder 3" Exhaust

I use Amsoil Oil in the motor.

Recently a head gasket job was done, and the heads were gone over, machined, hot tanked and all the valves were repaired/replaced.



Now I emailed the guy at TBIchips.com to make me a chip for my car, you guys say computer tuning is the next step. I asked him to remove the knock sensor test but he tells me it is not a good idea. I'm not sure what else to do with this, the motor runs very good right now, starts fine and pulls great for what it has.

I need suggestions, what else do I look for with this code or do I just get the test written out of the computer?

Thanks in advance

 

12* of timing is alot on our engines. do you have a way to datalog?

what happens if you bump the timing up even more?

i would be interested to see if you are getting any knock counts with the timing that high. i found mine started knocking at about 8* advance.

i assume you are disconnecting the ESC when you time it, correct?

you might also start looking into what was done other than the heads, obviosly do do a valve job, most of the engine had to be taken apart. i would go over everything timing related, with a fine tooth comb, re-isntall the dizzy, make sure it is straight up, check the timing chain, make sure it is installed correctly. check all your electical connection for the timing system.

 

Yea I have been changing the timing correctly. I'm not sure what the problem is. I've gone over everything. With the timing at 12, the car runs better, probably because when the knock test fails, I loose some timing, but I'm high enough already I don't notice anything. Its starting to become aggrivating, I dont even see why I need the damn thing in the first place lol, my motor is running very well.

 

Ummm, isn't code 43 got to do with the Electronic Spark Control Module that is in the dist cap? Something like low voltage?
Hold on a sec...I thought so.
Check it: https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/faq/thirdgen.shtml

 

oops, sorry. look under 'miscellanious'

Maybe check the wires going to the module, make sure they are not fraying or becoming otherwise damaged.
I changed my module since I have swapped to a 350TBI, and I made sure I used a good amount of the grease under it.

 

you already have a computer, all you need is a cable and the WINALDL software. Have you had the electronics under the cap tested to make sure they are still good?