Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Help with Code P0430

Check Engine Light came on for the first time at 72,000 miles yesterday. I took it to Autozone to get the code read for free (learn about that one here) and they said it was a P0430. From searching the forum it looks like an emissions thing, I thought so b/c driveablity was not impacted at all, something about cat efficiency some posts seem to point to the cat and others to the O2 sensors. So here are my questions:

1. The Light came on during a torrental downpour here in CT, could moist air have anything to do with it?

2. Which 02 sensor(s) should I look to replace and what order, I think I rather start with the O2s they're cheaper than a Cat.

3. I read in one post the cats are covered by warranty upto 8year/80K miles, does that include second owners?

Right now I have the battery disconnected to clear the code on the outside chance it was a fluke but if/when it comes back I want to know where to start. Thanks.

Mark

Plenty of info if you do a search of the archives.
P0430 is bank 2 pre-cat efficiency below threshold. Simply put, the signals of the pre-cat and post-cat sensors are compared in order to imply proper catalyst operation. If the cat is really bad, the manifold/precat is covered under the 8/80 emissions control warranty. A way to verify is to swap the bank 1 and bank 2 post-cat sensors. If the code changes to a P0420 (bank 1 precat) then you know the sensor is bad. If it stays as a P0430 you need to get it replaced.

AL

does your CEL go on and off?
I've been told (and did myself)that it's better to change both O2 sensors (how many are there?)

The CEL was on continously until I disconnected the battery to clear the code. I driven 50 miles since then (mixed highway, traffic, country road) and it has not come back on. I forgot to give my cars essentials earlier - it is a '99 Contour with the Duratec V6.

Mark