Code 43, cranks no start

DAVE HACKETT

MEMBER
1990 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
3.1L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
180,000 MILES

Car shut off at work hit with starting fluid and fired, ran for a couple weeks and wouldn't start one morning. Has Schrader valve for fuel pressure no gauge, but seems okay, xhk spark at a plug and no spark, but I read a code 43 wouldn't disable it that it should start. I as well no scanner but easily read the code 43. I just bought a meter. So what is the order of operations or what are you thinking? Wiring is not great overall but a sound car.

5 Replies

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello, I'm Danny.

Code 43 has to deal with the ESC- Electronic Spark Control circuit. I've attached picture repair steps below. Here is a tutorial showing how to test wiring:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Keep us updated as to what you find. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.

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Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020 AT 12:18 PM

DAVE HACKETT

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Hi my friend, I have power at 2 an 5 coil but not 1 and 4 or 3 and 6 coil pack?

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Wednesday, November 4th, 2020 AT 2:14 PM

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello again.

Did you say you have power going into the module and only output on cylinder 2 and 5? It sounds like you might be having an issue with the ignition coil module. First thing you might want to try is switch the coil packs around. If different coil locations fire you will know the module is good and the swapped coil is bad. If you swap the coils and only the same cylinders fire you will know the module is bad and the coils are good. I've attached a picture below of the coil-module assembly. Let me know what you find and we'll go from there. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-

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Wednesday, November 4th, 2020 AT 5:54 PM

DAVE HACKETT

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Not quite there is power to coil 2 and 5 but no power to the other side
Plug going into the coil that fires 2 5 cylinder has 11.7 volts but when check the other two plugs one for 1an4 the other plug for 3 and 6 going into the coil pack. My test was prongvto ground the one side revealed 11.7v and the 6 prong plug zero v to gr and the three prong plug 1.4v to gr. I unplug the clip turn key on testveach prongvto ground. Hope that helps.

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Wednesday, November 4th, 2020 AT 7:36 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,645 POSTS

Hi,

Have you checked the ignition control module which is under the coil packs? You can see in in the pic attached above. I believe this could be where the problem may be. Also, I know some auto parts stores can check them for you.

I attached a pic below of the circuit. Take a look through it and let me know if this has been checked.

Joe

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