P078A Panther Lima Diagnostic Trouble Code

P078A Panther Lima code definition:
P078A is a kind of OBD-II Diagnostic P-Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code for Panther Lima.

P078A Panther Lima is defined as Cylinder 3 Injector Circuit Malfunction. This code means the PCM (powertrain control module, also known as ECM or engine control) has detected a problem in the injector or its wiring, or in injector circuit for cylinder 3. If the car doesn't start, they will proceed by testing the voltage at the fuel pump connector and see if the fuel pump relay, fuse, and PCM circuitry should be inspected.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a P078A Panther Lima diagnostic trouble code may include:

Misfire
Misfire
The light may stay on or light intermittently as the DPF regenerates. The engine will be sluggish on acceleration.
Diminished fuel efficiency

Possible Causes :

Faulty IMRC actuator/sensor
A large vacuum leak would cause a massive amount of un-metered air to enter the intake manifold resulting in an overly lean mixture.
An air leak forward of the DPF will change the sensor readings resulting in the code

Common Misdiagnoses

Vehicle Speed Output Circuit Problem
Cruise Control Servo Indicates Low Problem
A/C System High Pressure High Temperature Problem
PCM Stack Overrun Problem
Transmission Control Module Reprogrammable Memory Problem

Repair Processes :

Once located, visually inspect the connectors and wiring. Look for rubbing, scraping, bare wires, worn spots or melted plastic connectors. If the engine displays a miss and there wasn't a code, determine which cylinder is misfiring. If the exhaust manifold is visible, spay or pour a small amount of water on each cylinder exhaust port. Water will evaporate immediately on good cylinders and slowly on the missing cylinder. If this can't be accomplished pull the plugs and check the condition. Look for damage to the tank indicating impact that may have damaged the fuel pump or sender.

Process Tips

Diagnostic trouble code P078A Panther Lima is not difficult to diagnose and repair. Thus, it always pays to have a qualified technician to look after your vehicle should this error code arise.

Diagnosing this code requires the engine to be in good running shape, without unmetered air entering the engine. If other codes that relates to misfiring condition, lean running or air entering the engine is present, then you must first fix those error codes before P078A Panther Lima.

Fortunately, P078A Panther Lima is a fairly common OBD code, meaning that it applies to all makes and models of vehicles made after 1996.