92 accord fuel problem

im getting really bad gas mileage...to the tune of around 18mpg now

i have the check engine light on with a code 43 (fuel system)

it feels like it drives fine.

i recently resoldered the main relay.

it is sometimes hard to start after its been running for a long time, which makes me think the main relay may be going bad again.


do you guys think the main relay could be the problem? can it possibly cause bad gas mileage?

thanks

When is hte last time you did a tune up. How many miles you have on it? Still on teh original fuel filter? We could use alot more info.

The main relay either works or the engine doesn't run. It would not have anything to do with gas mileage. Code 43 could be many things but one thing to remember, when the ECL comes on, the ECU goes into default mode so you can limp to the nearest dealer to get it fixed. The things (sensor inputs) that would give you good mileage are defeated. So I can understand the bad mileage. Ok, Code 43 possible causes:
Bad O2 sensor/wiring; bad ECU to name a few.

do a complete check of vacuum leaks ...

replace fuel filter also. ..



what did you re-solder exactly and why ?? how come just replacing the relay didnt cure the problem ?

I re-soldered all the points cause my car wouldnt start. Now it starts but it gets horrible milage. New igniter, coil, spark plugs, wires, dist. cap, rotor about 3k miles ago.

car has 175,000 miles total

new fuel filter going on tomorrow

sorry for leaving all that out.

its probably the o2 sensor, damn i hate those things i have such bad luck with them. is there a way to test it? i thought it had its own trouble code?

Yea, the O2 sensor does have a separate code (41) which is for the heater. Code 43 can also be the O2 sensor but according to Chiltons, they say if you have a Code 43, engine check light and poor driveability check the fuel supply system. but doesn't say what to check. Checking the O2 sensor involves hooking up a voltmeter to a harnass adapter which you install between the cable harness and the ECU and then checking voltages when you turn the key on. The wiring diagram doesn't give terminal no. and the troubleshooting matrix doesn't give wire colors. So I don't know what they are checking. But the voltage between A26 and D14 is .4v to .5v when the ignition switch is first turned on and should drop to .1v within 2 minutes. That is the only specifics I can tell you. Somebody else may have more experience on this.

I re-soldered all the points cause my car wouldnt start. Now it starts but it gets horrible milage.....

RED FLAG ??!!??