GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

To provide the best possible combination of driveability, fuel economy, and emission control, a closed loop air/fuel metering system is used. While in closed loop, the PCM monitors the HO2S 1 signal and adjusts fuel delivery based upon the HO2S signal voltage. A change made to fuel delivery will be indicated by the long and short term fuel trim values which can be monitored with a scan tool. Ideal fuel trim values are around 0%; if the HO2S signal is indicating a lean condition the PCM will add fuel, resulting in fuel trim values above 0%. If a rich condition is detected, the fuel trim values will be below 0%, indicating that the PCM is reducing the amount of fuel delivered. If an excessively rich condition is detected on , the PCM will set DTC P0172.

The PCMs maximum authority to control long term fuel trim allows a range between -23% and +16%. The PCMs maximum authority to control short term fuel trim allows a range between -11% and +20%. The PCM monitors fuel trim under various operating conditions (fuel trim cells) before determining the status of the fuel trim diagnostic. The fuel trim cells are weighted (assigned a percentage of weight in determining total fuel trim status for the diagnostic) as follows:

    • Idle, purge commanded (Cell 0) - approximately 10%
    • Deceleration, purge commanded (Cell 1) - approximately 14%
    • Normal driving, purge commanded (Cell 2) approximately 26%
    • Deceleration, no purge commanded (Cell 6) - approximately 15%
    • Normal driving, no purge commanded (Cell 7) - approximately 35%

The vehicle may have to be operated in all of the above conditions before the PCM determines fuel trim status. The amount that fuel trim deviates from 0% in each cell and the amount that each cell is weighted directly affects whether or not the vehicle must be operated in all of the cells described above to complete the diagnostic.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • No MAF sensor, ECT sensor, HO2S, TP sensor, EVAP, EGR, Misfire, Injector circuit, Idle speed, MAP sensor, VSS, CMP sensor, CKP sensor, IC circuit or IAT sensor DTC(s) set.
    • Engine coolant temperature between 20°C (68°F) and 110°C (230°F).
    • Intake air temperature is between -18°C (0°F) and 65°C (149°F).
    • Manifold absolute pressure is between 18 kPa and 80 kPa.
    • Throttle angle is steady below 90%.
    • Vehicle speed is below 75 mph.
    • Engine speed between 550 and 5000 RPM.
    • Long term fuel trim is at or near maximum authority of -23%.
    • Short term fuel trim is at or near maximum authority of -11%.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The PCM will illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) during the second consecutive trip in which the diagnostic test has been run and failed.
    • The PCM will store conditions which were present when the DTC set as Freeze Frame and Failure Records data.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The PCM will turn OFF the MIL during the third consecutive trip in which the diagnostic has been run and passed.
    • The History DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles have occurred without a malfunction.
    • The DTC can be cleared by using the scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

Check for the following conditions:

    • Poor connection at PCM. Inspect harness connectors for backed out terminals, improper mating, broken locks, improperly formed or damaged terminals, and poor terminal to wire connection.
    • Damaged harness. Inspect the wiring harness for damage. If the harness appears to be OK, observe the HO2S 1 display on the scan tool while moving connectors and wiring harnesses related to the engine harness. A change in the display will indicate the location of the fault.

Reviewing the Fail Records vehicle mileage since the diagnostic test last failed may help determine how often the condition that caused the DTC to be set occurs. This may assist in diagnosing the condition.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the Diagnostic Table.

  1. DTCs other than P0172 may indicate a condition present which may cause a lean condition. If this is the case, repairing the condition which caused the other DTC will most likely correct the DTC P0172.

  2. If the DTC P0172 test passes while the Fail Records conditions are being duplicated, the rich condition is intermittent. Refer to Diagnostic Aids or Symptoms for additional information on diagnosing intermittent problems.

DTC P0172 - Fuel Trim System Rich

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic System Check performed?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

Are any DTCs set other than P0172?

--

Go to the applicable DTC charts and repair the other DTCs before proceeding with this chart

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Start and run vehicle in closed loop.
  2. Observe L.T. FUEL TRIM and S.T. FUEL TRIM display on the scan tool Eng 1 data list.

Are the displayed values at or near the specified values?

    • L.T. FUEL TRIM is the first specified value.
    • S.T. FUEL TRIM is the second specified value.

-23%

-11%

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 4

4

  1. Review and record the scan tool Fail Records data.
  2. Clear the DTC P0172 and operate the vehicle to duplicate the Fail Records conditions.
  3. Monitor the scan tool SPECIFIC DTC info for DTC P0172 while operating the vehicle to duplicate the Fail Records conditions.
  4. Continue operating the vehicle until the DTC P0172 test runs and note test result.

Does the scan tool indicate DTC P0172 failed this ign?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Diagnostic Aids

5

Visually and physically inspect the air filter element and replace it if necessary.

Did the air filter require replacement?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 6

6

Visually and physically inspect the air intake duct for being collapsed or restricted and repair if necessary.

Did your inspection reveal a condition requiring repair?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 7

7

Inspect the throttle body inlet screen for damage or for the presence of foreign objects which may partially block airflow through the screen and correct any problem found.

Did your inspection of the throttle body reveal a condition requiring repair or replacement?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 8

8

Start the engine and note the idle quality.

Is a low or unsteady idle being experienced?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 11

9

With the engine idling, observe the IDLE AIR CONTROL display on the scan tool.

Is IDLE AIR CONTROL value less than the specified value? (Value is displayed in counts).

100

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 10

10

  1. Turn the ignition off and physically inspect the throttle body bore, throttle plate, and IAC passages for coking and foreign objects.
  2. If a problem was found, repair as necessary.

Did your inspection reveal a condition requiring repair?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 11

11

  1. Perform the Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve System Check. Refer to Idle Air Control (IAC) System Check .
  2. If a problem is found, repair as necessary.

Did the System Check isolate a problem requiring repair?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 13

12

  1. Disconnect the vacuum hose from the fuel pressure regulator and inspect the hose for the presence of fuel.
  2. If fuel is present in the vacuum hose, replace the fuel pressure regulator.

Did the fuel pressure regulator require replacement?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 13

13

  1. Ignition ON, engine OFF.
  2. Monitor the TP Angle display on the scan tool while slowly depressing the accelerator pedal.

Does the TP Angle display increase steadily and evenly from minimum value at closed throttle to maximum value at wide-open throttle?

0-100%

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 19

14

  1. Disconnect the MAF sensor electrical connector.
  2. Operate the vehicle in Closed Loop while monitoring the L.T. FUEL TRIM and S.T. FUEL TRIM display on the scan tool.

Did both values change to near the specified value?

0%

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 15

15

  1. Perform Fuel System Pressure Test. Refer to Fuel System Pressure Test .
  2. If the Pressure Test isolates a problem, repair as necessary.

Did the Pressure Test isolate a problem requiring repair?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 16

16

  1. Perform the Evaporative Emissions Control (EVAP) Canister Purge Valve System Check. Refer to Evaporative Emission Control System Diagnosis .
  2. If System Check isolates a problem, repair as necessary.

Did the System Check isolate a problem requiring repair?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 17

17

  1. Perform the Injector Balance Test. Refer to Fuel Injector Balance Test .
  2. If the Balance Test isolates a problem, repair as necessary.

Did the Injector Balance Test isolate a problem requiring repair?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 18

18

  1. Remove and visually/physically inspect the HO2S 1 for silicon contamination. This will be indicated by a powdery white deposit on the portion of the HO2S that is exposed to the exhaust stream.
  2. If contamination is evident on the HO2S, replace contaminated sensor.

Did sensor require replacement?

--

Go to Step 21

Refer to Diagnostic Aids

19

  1. Check the TP sensor mounting screws and tighten or replace them as necessary if they are loose or missing.
  2. If the screws are OK, replace the TP sensor.

Is action complete?

--

Go to Step 21

--

20

Replace the MAF sensor. Refer to Mass Airflow Sensor Replacement .

Is action complete?

--

Go to Step 21

--

21

  1. Review and record the scan tool Fail Records data.
  2. Clear the DTC P0172 and operate the vehicle to duplicate the Fail Records conditions.
  3. Monitor the scan tool SPECIFIC DTC info for DTC P0172 while operating the vehicle to duplicate the Fail Records conditions.
  4. Continue operating the vehicle until the DTC P0172 test runs and note test result.

Does the scan tool indicate DTC P0172 failed this ign?

--

Go to Step 2

Repair complete