P0430 Question

[JulzLBC]

I've been slowly getting my 98 K1500 back the way it should be. Love the truck, so it's been pretty fun so far. I recently replaced my downstream oxygen sensor, cleared that code, but now a couple days later I got the code P0430. From what I've read it's probably a bad cat, but I don't have one. . I see it can also be bad upstream oxygen sensors, a leak (which I don't appear to have) or maybe I need a sensor extension? Just wondering if anyone else isn't using a cat, had this problem and found the solution.

Great site by the way, helped me out alot so far.

 

[df2x4]

You need to either put cats back on the truck, or get the PCM tuned to disable the downstream O2 sensors. Otherwise you'll never eliminate that code or the check engine light that comes with it.

EDIT - Well, not entirely true... Now that I think about it @kennythewelder and a few others have had success "fooling" the rear O2 sensors with spark plug non-foulers and/or pieces of old catalyst material. More info here:

https://www.gmt400.com/threads/remove-your-cats-and-make-a-mini-cat-for-your-rear-02-sensors.30681/

Personally I think putting cats back on the truck is the most elegant solution, but if you want to keep running without them I think a PCM tune is the cleanest and easiest way to eliminate the check engine light. Not the cheapest, though.

 

[Nad_Yvalhosert]

EDIT - Well, not entirely true... Now that I think about it @kennythewelder and a few others have had success "fooling" the rear O2 sensors with spark plug non-foulers and/or pieces of old catalyst material.

Big Daddies Garage sells those pre-made units.

O2 Simulators

O2 Simulator Mini Cat, Angled, Straight Cel Fix, Big Daddies Garage stainless steel Oxygen Sensor Simulator is used to clear p0420 / p0430 codes for bad or missing catalytic converters

bigdaddiesgarage.com

 

[JulzLBC]

Thanks for the info. I'll give one of those a try. Thinking maybe the angled one because of the heat shield. A 98.9% success rate sounds like pretty good odds.