DTC P0171 Fuel Trim System Lean Bank 1. Chevrolet Chevy C Silverado

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2000 🢒 Chevy C Silverado - 2WD 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Controls - 4.3L 🢒 DTC P0171 Fuel Trim System Lean Bank 1

Engine Controls Components
VCM, HO2 Sensors, G104
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice
VCM Connector End Views

Circuit Description

In order to provide the best possible combination of driveability, fuel economy, and emission control, the vehicle uses a Closed Loop fuel metering system. While in Closed Loop, the vehicle control module (VCM) monitors the oxygen sensor (O2) signal voltage. The VCM adjusts the fuel delivery based on the 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). If the oxygen sensor signal indicates a lean condition, the VCM adds 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 indicates that the VCM is reducing the amount of fuel delivered. The VCM sets this diagnostic trouble code (DTC) when an excessively lean condition is detected.

Conditions for Running the DTC

•	No active oxygen (O2) 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 emission (EVAP) system sensor 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 system voltage DTCs

•	No active misfire DTCs

•	Throttle position less than 70 percent

•	Engine speed is between 575 and 4,000 RPM

•	The BARO is more than 70 kPa.

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

•	The MAP is between 22 and 85 kPa.

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

•	The MAF is between 3 and 85 g/s.

•	The vehicle speed is less than 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 lean condition is present.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

•	The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) if a failure is detected during 2 consecutive key cycles.

•	The control module sets the DTC and records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic failed. The failure information is stored in the scan tool Freeze Frame/Failure Records.

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 long term 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 Engine Misfire Detected may also set the current DTC. An extremely lean 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 (Rich condition), and a more positive value indicates the VCM is richening the fuel mixture (Lean condition).

Visually and physically check the items that can cause a lean condition in order to determine the cause of the DTC being set.

Step

Action

Value(s)

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, except P0171 and P0174, refer to those DTCs before proceeding with this diagnostic.

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

Is the Long Term FT Bn 1 more than the specified value?

20% Long Term

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 3

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 Freeze Frame or Failure Records as possible.
Select DTC and the Specific DTC function.
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

Is DTC P0174 also set?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 6

Visually and physically check the following items:

•	The exhaust system for leaks

•	The fuel filter for restriction

•	The air induction system after the MAF sensor for vacuum leaks

•	The vacuum hoses for splits, kinks, and proper connections

•	The throttle body, intake manifold, and EGR valve for vacuum leaks

•	Idle air control (IAC), if a high or unsteady idle is being experienced

•	The positive crankcase ventilation valve (PCV), spring, and O-ring for proper installation

•	The AIR system for proper operation, if applicable -- An AIR system that allows oxygen to enter the exhaust may present a lean condition.

•	The fuel for excessive water, alcohol, or other contaminates

•	VCM and sensor grounds are clean, tight, and in the proper location.

Was a problem found in any of the above areas?

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 7

Visually and physically check the following items:

•	Bank 1 exhaust for leaks

•	Bank 1 HO2S 1 is installed securely and the electrical connector is not contacting the exhaust system or ignition wires

•	Any vacuum leaks that will only effect bank 1

Was a problem found in any of the above areas?

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 7

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 Procedure .
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 2 seconds.
The ignition may have to be cycled 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 the first specified value range.
When the fuel pump stops, the fuel pressure may vary slightly, then it should hold steady within the second value range.

Is pressure within the specified value ranges and does it hold?

415-455 kPa (60-66 psi)

379-413 kPa (55-60 psi)

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 13

Start the engine.
Idle the engine at the normal operating temperature.

Is the fuel pressure within the specified value?

379-413 kPa (55 60 psi)

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 13

Perform the Injector Balance Test. Refer to Fuel Injector Balance Test with Tech 2 .

Was an injector problem found?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 14

Repair or replace any items found.
Use the Fuel Trim Reset function on the scan tool.
Operate the vehicle in Closed Loop while monitoring Long Term FT Bn 1 display.
The Long Term FT Bn 1 value should decrease below the specified value.

Does the Long Term FT Bn 1 value decrease below the specified value?

20% Long Term

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 7

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

Does the Long Term FT Bn 1 value decrease below the specified value?

20% Long Term

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 7

The lean condition is not present.

Does a driveability symptom still exists?

Go to Symptoms

Go to Step 14

Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .

Is the action complete?

Go to Step 14

Using the scan tool, clear the DTCs.
Start the engine.
Allow the engine to idle until the engine reaches normal operating temperature.
Select DTC and the Specific DTC function.
Enter the DTC number which was set.
Operate the vehicle, within the Conditions for Setting this DTC, until the scan tool indicates the diagnostic Ran.

Does the scan tool indicate that this diagnostic Passed?

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 2

Does the scan tool display any additional undiagnosed DTCs?

Go to the applicable DTC table

System OK