Checks
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DEFINITION: Fuel economy, as measured by an actual road test, is noticeably lower than expected. Also, the fuel economy is noticeably lower than it was on this vehicle at one time, as previously shown by an actual road test.
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Preliminary
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• | Verify that the engine control module (ECM) grounds are clean, tight, and in the correct locations. |
• | Inspect the following owner's driving habits. |
- | Is the A/C or the Defroster mode ON all the time? |
- | Are the tires at the correct pressure? |
- | Is there excessively heavy loads being carried? |
- | Is the acceleration rate too much, too often? |
• | Remove the air filter element and inspect for restrictions and replace if necessary. |
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Fuel System
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• | Verify that the fuel injector harness is connected to the correct injector/cylinder according to the firing order. |
• | Inspect for foreign material accumulation in the throttle bore, and for carbon deposits on the throttle plate and shaft. Also inspect for throttle body tampering. |
• | Test or inspect items that can cause an engine to run rich. For a rich condition, refer to
DTC P0172
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Sensor/System
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• | Inspect the air intake system and the crankcase for air leaks. |
• | Test the crankcase ventilation valve. Place a finger over the inlet hole in the valve end several times. The valve should snap back. If not, replace the valve. |
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Ignition System
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• | Remove the spark plugs and inspect for the following conditions: |
- | Refer to the following procedures: |
• | If the spark plugs are fouled by gas, coolant, or oil, determine the cause before replacing the plugs. Refer to the following procedures. |
- | For diagnosis of a rich condition, refer to
DTC P0172
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• | Inspect the ignition coil for cracks or carbon tracking. |
• | Wetting down the secondary ignition system with water from a spray bottle may help locate damaged or deteriorated components. Look/listen for arcing or misfiring as the water is applied. |
• | Inspect the ignition coil for cracks or carbon tracking. |
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Engine Cooling System
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• | Test the engine thermostat. Verify that the thermostat is of the correct heat range. Refer to
Thermostat Diagnosis
in Engine Cooling. |
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Engine Mechanical
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• | Inspect for the following engine mechanical conditions: |
- | Excessive oil in the combustion chamber and for leaking valve seals |
- | Incorrect cylinder compression |
- | Sticking or leaking valves |
- | Excessive carbon buildup in the combustion chambers. Clean the chambers with top engine cleaner. Follow the instructions on the can. |
- | For more information, refer to the following procedures in Engine Mechanical - 1.4L DOHC: |
• | Inspect the following for incorrect basic engine parts: |
- | The pistons, connecting rods, and bearings |
- | Refer to the following procedures in Engine Mechanical - 1.4L DOHC: |
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Additional Checks
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• | Inspect the vacuum hoses for splits or kinks. Verify that the connections and routing are as shown on the Vehicle Emission Control Information label. |
• | Test the transmission torque converter clutch (TCC). The scan tool should indicate an engine speed drop when the TCC is commanded ON. Refer to
Symptoms - Automatic Transmission
in Automatic Transmission -
Aisin (81-40LE). |
• | Inspect the following exhaust system components: |
- | The exhaust system for physical damage |
- | The mufflers for heat distress or possible internal failure |
- | The three-way catalytic converter(s) for restrictions. |
• | Electromagnetic interference (EMI) on the reference circuit can cause a misfire condition. You can usually detect EMI with a scan tool by monitoring the engine speed. A sudden increase of the engine speed parameter with little change in actual engine
speed indicates that EMI is present. Inspect the high voltage components near the ignition control circuit if a problem exists. |
• | Inspect the brake system for dragging or improper operation. Refer to
Symptoms - Hydraulic Brakes
in Hydraulic Brakes. Ensure that the vehicle operator does not drive with a foot on the brake pedal. |
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