went to the gas station to get gas, i know a trick where when your turning off the engine that if i move the key half way between off and on it will turn off the engine but the accessories still work, i did that then put the key back in the on position, filled up the tank, started the car and as soon as i started it the check engine came on, went home pulled the code and i got code 42 in my reapir manual it says est circuit (electronic spark timing circuit or est circuit is grounded or open a malfunctioning hei module can cause this code) the car still drives perfect though so what does this mean

 

Did you try resetting it by disconnecting and reconnecting the battery?
It is possible you confused it by your key being in that position.

 

I'd solve this problem by removing the light bulb from the check engine light housing.


Seriously, though.... just unplug the battery cables and reset the computer for a few minutes.

 

Uh, why? The factory gave you an ACCY position, which is all the way counterclockwise past the LOCK position. The difference between ACCY and ON is that the ignition is not powered in ACCY.

 

well i'll try reseting the computer, and i know i have the acc. but the a/c/heater dont work and neither does the windows in acc mode, so i just use the on position

 

This is probably one of the reasons that newer cars have accessory power after you take the key out, or shut the car off (at least till you open the door).

I can't think of a good reason to do what you're doing since the key will still be in the car while this is happening, which means you'll still be in control of what's happening. If it causes a 42 code (DTC - 42 Ignition bypass circuit error) it's something you're causing, and the car is simply reacting to the way it's supposed to. So roll the windows up or down before you shut off the car, or use the 'run' position like it's designed. Otherwise, you're just wasting gas too (and your car's supposed to be shut off when your fueling up anyway)

 

no thats the thing the engine was off, but the ignition in the on position so the radio is still playing and the windows still work, all i did was when the engine was running gentle turned the key toward the off position in which the radio is still playing but turns off the engine then i turn it back to the regular on position so the dash lights are on its like maybe a 1/8 of an inch of a turn on the ignition key, its kinda hard to explain, i figured it out with my car like a year ago

 

I know what you mean - I have that secret position on my Ford, too... It is handy for killing the engine and not interrupt the tape that is playing...
However, I can see on my ammeter that something else is still on that is not on when in ACCY position.
The ignition switch switches different legs in different positions, so it is possible part of the IGN circuit was killed, but the computer still might have been on expecting disty signals.
Of course it seems like you have done that before with no issues.
Disconnect and reconnect the battery to see if that helps. If not we will dig further. (Eliminate the easy first! )

On a side note, I wired up a retained ACCY power system on my '72 - it is very handy... Kill engine, pull the key, and I can still put the windows up and listen to the radio until a door is open and closed.

 

That's just like a new car. Can you post a schematic? I'd like to do that to my car too (eventually) Does the retained ACCY PS run on a timer/relay?

 

Here it is in a nutshell...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robsalb...7602930020786/
It took an extra relay, wiring the window relay to the ACCY position, and utilization of the RAP (retained accy power)feature that was contained in the alarm system module. The RAP stays active until a door is opened and closed.
Pretty snazzy, IMO...