1997 Diamante Po443 And Charge Warning Options

[anyadang]

I just bought another Diamante. It's got all the bells and whistles... you know the ones that are all over the instument panel - some are orange, some are red... ?

It's not in terrible shape - needs a few commom components.

It has code PO443, which is evap / surge - - does anyone know the location of particular trouble spots on this car - where the evap system is prown to developing a crack, etc?

The charging system warning light is also on (you know, the little battery) - so I probably need a new alternator, right? (swapping in another battery already)

Any input is appreciated.

thanks!

[anyadang]

I just bought another Diamante. It's got all the bells and whistles... you know the ones that are all over the instument panel - some are orange, some are red... ?

It's not in terrible shape - needs a few commom components.

It has code PO443, which is evap / surge - - does anyone know the location of particular trouble spots on this car - where the evap system is prown to developing a crack, etc?

The charging system warning light is also on (you know, the little battery) - so I probably need a new alternator, right? (swapping in another battery already)

Any input is appreciated.

thanks!

My Alternator was bad - I pulled it this morning and brought it to Advanced Auto parts. $160 for a new one, and they said it was not servicable. I brought it home, pulled the connector housing off (two screws) and found some corosion, and a stuck spring. Cleaned and lubed with dielectic. Brought it to Autozone tonight and it passed all tests. It's not the original alternator - it's a BOSCH - maybe the Mitsubishi onces are not serviceable (?).

Advanced Autoparts tester was pretty good- showed what the part was putting out for current, diode health, etc. Autozone's was way more modern - touch screen, which lit up with all greens.



Since my original post, I've pulled the plenum, valve covers and radiator. The valve covers were loose and have been leaking - the engine from that point down + transmission was completely caked with grease. All the rockers and cams look good though.

I found a lot of cracked hoses. I think the engine has been run over temperature because a lot of the hosts seemed to have lost their flexibility. I replace a few bad hoses (hopefully my evap problem solved).

So, with a lot of degreaser and my preasure washer, I've got the engine nice and clean. I was easy to get at with the radiator out and the plenum off, and from underneath - jacking it up about a foot and a half.

I replaced the spark plugs while I had the plenum off. They needed it too - not much tip left. Two cylinders had oil around the plugs from the loose valve covers. That wasn't helping anything I'm sure. All clean now.

I've got the top of the engine mostly back together now. I'll finish that, put the freshly tested alternator back in, reinstall the radiator and fill the cooling system tomorrow. Hopefully all this will silence some of the bells and whistles.


(IMG:http://www.adamanthony.net/adama/autos/uploaded_images/DSC05281-737273-737309.JPG)

[anyadang]

I put everything back together over the weekend except the intake. Fresh coolant - fresh oil and filter. I put the intake on tonight, and fired it up.... it runs great! Lots of smoke at first while it burned off the cleaners, etc that I used, but that passed.

I even got the AC working with a little shot of coolant.

The only light I had was low fuel, but after a few starts the check engine light came on again - just one code - PO443 again - PURGE? I replaced any hoses that seemed spent, and everything is back in place, but still it recurred....

So, and advise on the PO443?

thanks

[anyadang]

I found the intake leak - and hopefully this helps somone....

I'm not sure what it is (maybe somone else can ID it), but there is a sensor or some sort on the top-rear of the intake plenum. It had a 4or5 pin electrically connection going two it. Anyway - that had a small crack in it - in the hard plastic. I can see how that could easily get damaged - if you put any downward pressure on the connector end, it could cause the crack I have (had).

I used some super glue - nothing but the best for my car! I reset the code and then started and stopped the car about 5 times, and the check engine light didn't reoccure yet.

[anyadang]

I found the intake leak - and hopefully this helps somone....

Well - that wasn't it... I found a much bigger problem - a big old hole in my gas tank. Looks like I need a new one (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Anyone ever dropped / replace the tank on these? I'm not looking forward to it. Plus, I have to find a replacement.

[chain rattle]

thanks for keeping us posted about your problems and the fix its (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grouphug.gif)

[anyadang]

thanks for keeping us posted about your problems and the fix its (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grouphug.gif)

No problem - I got around to dropping the tank today. It was actually really easy, I was suprised.

First, I jacked the car up high enough to put the rear tires on top of cinder blocks.

I found that the tank itself is only held up by 5 nuts. I gave those a good coat of WD40 and did some other stuff for like 30 mintues.

Next, I disconnected the fuel pump harness and the two tubes coming down from the filler.

The 5 nuts came off with ease. I guess I'm used to working on stuff that had been heated and cooled a lot - these were coroded, but not stuck at all.


Luckily there was only about 2 gallons of gas in the sucker, so I was able to ease it down to the garage floor.

then, I was able to disconnect the press-fit fuel line. The only trouble I had was on the filter end. I'll need a new filter and a new pressure fitting.


I managed to do all that without spilling any gas. A little squired out around the fuel filter - that's it. I poured what as in the tank into an old gas can - lawn mower worthy?

Now I just have to find a replacement tank - this one is totally trashed.

[anyadang]

I replaced the fuel tank....

The P0443 came back.

This is my daily driver now. Have to get it inspected within another 5 days. Any suggestions are appreceited.