DTC P0172 Fuel Trim System Rich Bank 1. Chevrolet Astro

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2000 🢒 Astro - 2WD 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Controls - 4.3L 🢒 DTC P0172 Fuel Trim System Rich Bank 1

Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice
Engine Controls Components
Cell 20: Heated Oxygen Sensors
OBD II Symbol Description Notice

Circuit Description

In order to provide the best possible combination of driveability, fuel economy, and emission control, the vehicle uses a Closed Loop air and fuel metering system. While in Closed Loop, the vehicle control module (VCM) monitors the oxygen sensor signal voltage. The VCM adjusts the fuel delivery based on a signal voltage. The long and Short Term fuel values, which a scan tool can monitor, indicate a change made to the fuel delivery. Ideal fuel trim values are around 0 percent (128 counts). The oxygen sensor signal indicates a lean condition, the VCM will add fuel. This results in fuel trim values above 0 percent. If the oxygen sensor detects a rich condition, the fuel trim values will read below 0 percent. This will indicate that the VCM is reducing the amount of fuel delivered. The VCM sets this DTC when an excessively rich condition is detected.

Conditions for Running the DTC

•	No active oxygen sensor DTCs

•	No active throttle position (TP) sensor DTCs

•	No active manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor DTCs

•	No active exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) sensor DTCs

•	No active evaporative emissions (EVAP) system DTCs

•	No active engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor DTCs

•	No active mass air flow (MAF) sensor DTCs

•	No active intake air temperature (IAT) sensor DTCs

•	No active vehicle speed sensor (VSS) DTCs

•	No active misfire DTCs

•	The throttle position is more than 70 percent

•	The engine speed is between 575 and 4,000 RPM

•	The barometric pressure (BARO) is more than 70 kPa.

•	The ECT is between 75°C and 114°C (167°F- 237°F).

•	The MAP is between 22 and 85 kPa.

•	The IAT is between - 8°C and 76°C (46°F-169°F).

•	The MAF is between 3 and 85 g/s.

•	The vehicle speed is more than 136 km (85 mph).

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The average of the Short Term fuel trim values over a period of 120 seconds indicates that a rich condition is present.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

Important: To complete a trip cycle for the fuel trim diagnostic, the fuel trim diagnostic test must enable and run according to the above enable criteria and the conditions for setting. A trip is not considered complete until the fuel trim diagnostic has been Run by the VCM.

When the current DTC initially sets, a software flag indicating an emissions related fault sets for 3 trips. The flag will clear provided the lean condition is no longer present. However, if the VCM detects the conditions for setting the current DTC during a trip while the flag is still set, the VCM illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL). The MIL remains ON during all of the subsequent trips until the DTC has been cleared by service or the lean condition has not been detected, and the conditions for checking the fuel trim have been met for 3 consecutive trips.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL or DTC

•	The control module turns OFF the MIL after 3 consecutive drive trips when the test has run and passed.

•

A history DTC will clear if no fault conditions have been detected for 40 warm-up cycles. A warm-up cycle occurs when the coolant temperature has risen 22°C (40°F) from the startup coolant temperature and the engine coolant reaches a temperature that is more than 70°C (158°F) during the same ignition cycle.

•	Use a scan tool in order to clear the DTCs.

Diagnostic Aids

If using the diagnostic tables does not isolate the problem, try monitoring the LT fuel trim and fuel trim cell while operating the vehicle under various loads. This may isolate the condition which caused the setting of the current DTC.

A condition that causes the DTC P0300 may also set the current DTC. Conversely an extremely rich condition which sets the current DTC can cause a misfire at idle and the DTC P0300 to set. If the cause of the current DTC cannot be determined and the DTC P0300 is also set, refer to DTC P0300 Engine Misfire Detected .

Typical Fuel Trim Values

Control Module Leaning Fuel		No Adj.	Control Module Enriching Fuel
Max. Lean	DTC sets	--	DTC sets	Max. Rich
-25%	-14%	0%	+20%	+25%

The fuel trim values table indicates the typical fuel adjustment values as displayed on a scan tool. Negative values, or a rich condition, indicates that the injector pulse width is being decreased in order to lean out the fuel mixture. Positive values, or a lean condition, indicates that the injector pulse width is being increased in order to richen the fuel mixture.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

A more negative value indicates the VCM is leaning the fuel mixture, and a more positive value indicates the VCM is richening the fuel mixture.

This step checks the fuel system for problems.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check?

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

Important: If any DTCs are set, other than P0172 and P0175, refer to those DTCs before proceeding with this diagnostic.

Install the scan tool.
Idle the engine in Closed Loop at a normal operating temperature.
Monitor the Long Term FT bank 1 using the scan tool.

Is the Long Term FT bank 1 value closer to 0 percent than the specified value?

-14 %

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

Turn ON the ignition, leaving the engine OFF.
Review the Freeze Frame and Failure Records for this DTC and observe the parameters.
Turn OFF the ignition for 15 seconds.
Start the engine.
Operate the vehicle within the conditions for this diagnostic to run, and as close to the conditions recorded in the Freeze Frame or Failure Records as possible.
Select the DTC and the Specific DTC functions.
Enter the DTC number which was set.

Does the scan tool indicate that this diagnostic failed this ignition?

Go to Step 4

Go to Diagnostic Aids

Visually and physically inspect the following items:

•	The air filter for being restricted.

•	The air intake duct for being collapsed or restricted.

•	The MAF sensor for correct installation and any screen blockage.

•	The IAC, if a low or unsteady idle is being experienced.

•	Inspect for the throttle body for coking or objects blocking the IAC passages.

•	The bank 1 HO2S 1 electrical connector for contact with the exhaust system.

•	Inspect the fuel pressure regulator for correct operation or a slow diaphragm leak.

Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .

•	Excessive fuel in the crankcase.

Change the engine oil if necessary.

Did any of the above checks isolate a condition requiring repair?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 5

Caution: Wrap a shop towel around the fuel pressure connection in order to reduce the risk of fire and personal injury. The towel will absorb any fuel leakage that occurs during the connection of the fuel pressure gage. Place the towel in an approved container when the connection of the fuel pressure gage is complete.

Relieve the fuel pressure. Refer to Fuel Pressure Relief .
Install the J 34730-1A fuel pressure gauge to the fuel pipe fitting.

Caution: The fuel pump will operate for 2 seconds after you have turned off the ignition. Make sure that all the fuel pipes and fittings are securely fastened in order to prevent personal injury.

Turn OFF the ignition.
Turn ON the ignition, leaving the engine OFF.
The fuel pump should run for about 2 seconds.
It may be necessary to cycle the ignition ON more than once in order to obtain maximum pressure.
Monitor the fuel pressure with the fuel pump running. The fuel pressure should be within 415-455 kPa (60-66 psi).
When the fuel pump stops, the fuel pressure may vary slightly, then should hold steady within the specified range.

Does fuel pressure hold within the specified range?

379-413 kPa (55-60 psi)

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 12

Perform the Fuel Injector Balance Test with Tech 2 .

Was an injector problem found?

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 7

Perform the DTC P1441 diagnostic Refer to DTC P1441 Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Flow During Non-Purge .

Was a problem found?

Go to Step 8

Go to Diagnostic Aids

Repair the EVAP system.
Use the Fuel Trim Reset function on the scan tool.
Operate the vehicle in Closed Loop while monitoring the Long Term FT bank 2 display.
The Long Term FT bank 2 should increase to more than the specified value.

Is the Long Term FT bank 2 value closer to 0 percent than the specified value?

-14 %

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 4

Repair the items found in Step 4.
Use the Fuel Trim Reset function on the scan tool.
Operate the vehicle in Closed Loop while monitoring the Long Term FT bank 1 display.
The Long Term FT bank 1 value should increase to more than the specified value.

Is the Long Term FT bank 1 value closer to 0 percent than the specified value?

-14 %

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 5

Replace the fuel injector. Refer to Fuel Injector Replacement .
Use the Fuel Trim Reset function on the scan tool.
Operate the vehicle in Closed Loop while monitoring the Long Term FT bank 1 display. The Long Term FT bank 1 value should increase to more than the specified value.

Is the Long Term FT bank 1 value closer to 0 percent than the specified value?

-14 %

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 5

The rich condition is not present.

Does a driveability symptom still exist?

Go to Diagnostic Aids

Go to Step 13

Perform the Fuel System Diagnostic Test. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .

Is the action complete?

Go to Step 13

Using the scan tool, clear the DTCs.
Start the engine.
Select the DTC and the Specific DTC functions.
Enter the DTC number which was set.
Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Setting the DTC until the scan tool indicates the diagnostic Ran.

Does the scan tool indicate the diagnostic passed?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 2

Does the scan tool display any additional undiagnosed DTCs?

Go to the applicable DTC table

System OK