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DTC P0171 or P0172

Diagnostic Instructions
    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    • Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptors

DTC P0171: Fuel Trim System Lean

DTC P0172: Fuel Trim System Rich

Circuit/System Description

The engine control module (ECM) controls the air/fuel metering system in order to provide the best possible combination of driveability, fuel economy, and emission control. The ECM monitors the heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) signal voltage and adjusts the fuel delivery based on the signal voltage while in Closed Loop. A change made to the fuel delivery changes the long and short term fuel trim (FT) values. The short term FT values change rapidly in response to the HO2S voltage signals. These changes fine tune the engine fuelling. The long term FT makes coarse adjustments in order to maintain an optimum air/fuel ratio. The ideal FT values are around zero percent. A positive FT value indicates that the ECM is adding fuel in order to compensate for a lean condition. A negative FT value indicates that the ECM is reducing the amount of fuel in order to compensate for a rich condition.

Conditions for Running the DTC
    • DTCs P0101, P0102, P0103, P0106, P0107, P0108, P0201-P0204, P0300, P0301-P0304, P0442, P0443, P0446, P0449, P0452, P0453, P0455, P0496, P0506, P0507, P2227, P2228, P2229 are not set.
    • The engine is in Closed Loop status.
    • The catalyst monitor intrusive test is not active.
    • The post O2 sensor intrusive test is not active.
    • The device controls are not active.
    • The EVAP tank pull down test is not active.
    • The engine coolant temperature (ECT) is between -38 and +130°C (-36 and +266°F).
    • The intake air temperature (IAT) is between -20 and +150°C (-4 and +302°F).
    • The manifold absolute pressure (MAP) is between 15-256 kPa (2.2-37.1 PSI).
    • The engine speed is between 400-6,350 RPM.
    • The mass air flow (MAF) is between 1-512 g/s.
    • The barometric pressure (BARO) is more than 70 kPa (10.2 PSI).
    • The fuel level is more than 10 percent.
    • These DTCs run continuously when the above conditions have been met.

Conditions for Setting the DTC
    • The long term FT weighted average value is more or less than a calibrated value.
    • The above condition is present for approximately 3 minutes after the conditions for running the DTC have been met.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

DTCs P0171 and P0172 are Type B DTCs.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

DTCs P0171 and P0172 are Type B DTCs.

Diagnostic Aids
    • Over-estimation of the ethanol content will result in a rich shift of fuel trim values, and under-estimation will result in a lean shift of fuel trim values. A fuel trim DTC may set if the learned alcohol content, Fuel Alcohol Content parameter on the scan tool, is different than the measured alcohol content in the vehicle such that fuel trim values exceed failure threshold values. Refer to Fuel Composition Diagnosis .

       Note: EVAP purge enablement may cause the FT to be momentarily outside the normal range.

    • The normal Short Term FT parameter should be between +10 percent and -10 percent, with near 0 percent the optimum, with the engine running at operating temperature.
    • The Long Term FT parameter should be between +10 percent and -10 percent, with near 0 percent the optimum, with the engine running at operating temperature.
    • Certain aftermarket air filters may cause a DTC to set.
    • Certain aftermarket air induction systems or modifications to the air induction system may cause a DTC to set.
    • Certain aftermarket exhaust system components may cause a DTC to set.

Reference Information

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification
  1. Verify that other DTCs are not set.
    2. ⇒If any DTCs are set, refer to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle .
  2. With the ignition ON and the engine OFF, observe the manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor parameter. The MAP sensor pressure should be within the range specified for your altitude. Refer to Altitude Versus Barometric Pressure .
    3. ⇒If the MAP sensor does not indicate the correct barometric pressure, refer to DTC P0106 .
  3. With the engine idling, observe the mass air flow (MAF) sensor parameter. The MAF sensor parameter should be between 2-6 g/s at idle.
    4. ⇒If the MAF sensor parameter is not between 2-6 g/s at idle, refer to DTC P0101 or P1101 : LE5, LE9 - Without Special Tool  → LE5, LE9 - With Special Tool or DTC P0102 or P0103 : LE5, LE9 - Without Special Tool  → LE5, LE9 - With Special Tool .

P0171

Note: EVAP purge enablement may cause the FT to be momentarily outside the normal range.

Allow the engine to reach operating temperature. With the engine running, observe the Long Term FT parameter with a scan tool. The reading should be between 0-20 percent.

⇒If greater than the specified range, inspect for the following:
    • Vacuum hoses for splits, kinks, and improper connections
    • Insufficient fuel in the tank
    • Low fuel pressure--Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
    • Improper fuel composition--Refer to Fuel Composition Diagnosis .
    • Fuel contamination--Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis .
    • Malfunctioning fuel injectors--Refer to Fuel Injector Circuit Diagnosis or Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test .
    • Missing, loose, or leaking exhaust components from the HO2S forward--Refer to Symptoms - Engine Exhaust .
    • Vacuum leaks at the inlet manifold, the throttle body, and the injector O-rings
    • The air induction system and the air inlet ducts for leaks or for a missing air filter element
    • A cracked EVAP canister
    • Evaporative pipes obstructed or leaking
    • The crankcase ventilation system for leaks--Refer to Crankcase Ventilation System Inspection/Diagnosis : LE5 or LE9 .
    • Malfunctioning engine components--Refer to Symptoms - Engine Mechanical : LE5 or LE9 .

P0172

Note: EVAP purge enablement may cause the FT to be momentarily outside the normal range.

Allow the engine to reach operating temperature. With the engine running, observe the Long Term FT parameter with a scan tool. The reading should be between -20 and 0 percent.

⇒If less than the specified range, inspect for the following:
    • Vacuum hoses for splits, kinks, and improper connections
    • The air inlet duct for being collapsed or restricted
    • The air filter for being dirty or restricted
    • Objects blocking the throttle body
    • Excessive fuel in the crankcase due to leaking fuel injectors
    • The EVAP control system for improper operation
    • Excessive fuel pressure--Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
    • Malfunctioning fuel injectors--Refer to Fuel Injector Circuit Diagnosis or Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test .
    • Fuel contamination--Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis .
    • Improper fuel composition--Refer to Fuel Composition Diagnosis .
    • Malfunctioning engine components--Refer to Symptoms - Engine Mechanical : LE5 or LE9 .

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after performing the diagnostic procedure.

   


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