Pontiac quad four

Tiny
JOHN SAVINO
  • MEMBER
  • GMC
I have a 1996 grand am with 40000 miles the check engine light came on with fault code p0420/p0304. Can the coil housing be causing this. After I reset code it stays off till the weather gets wet.
Sunday, January 22nd, 2006 AT 8:14 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
MVANNESSJR
  • MECHANIC
  • 223 POSTS
Easiest thing to do with p304 is to check your plugs (specifially #4) and make sure it is gapped properly and it is not oil fouled. I've had this problem before and in my case I found that the plug actually backed itself out of the block and needed to be tightened a bit back down. Be careful not to overtighten the plug as you can break it off into the block.

As for your other trouble code, this can be tripped due to a retarded spark.

I would investigate your plugs before you go looking for the coil pack.

Next step is to measure the voltage at the oxygen sensor on Bank 1 (the rear sensor, or the sensor after the converter). The voltage should be low and steady ( 200mV, depends on the vehicle). If the voltage varies (e.G. 100mV to 600mV) then it's time to replace the catalytic converter. In fact, it would be a good idea to test each oxygen O2 sensor while you're at it.

If your plugs are fine and the sensor checks out then you may need a new coil pack and I am sure you could find one in good shape at the local junk yard for next to nothing.
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Monday, January 23rd, 2006 AT 7:46 AM

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