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 voltages. 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 percent; if the HO2S signals are indicating a lean condition the PCM will add fuel, resulting in fuel trim values above 0 percent. If a rich condition is detected, the fuel trim values will be below 0 percent, indicating that the PCM is reducing the amount of fuel delivered. If an excessively lean condition is detected, the PCM will set DTC P0171. The PCMs maximum authority to control long term fuel trim allows a range between -30 percent and +22 percent. The PCMs maximum authority to control short term fuel trim allows a range between -27 percent and +27 percent. 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 as follows:
Cell | Purge ON | Purge OFF |
|---|---|---|
Idle (Cell 0) | X | -- |
Decel (Cell 1) | X | -- |
Normal (Cell 2) | X | -- |
Accel (Cell 3) | -- | -- |
High Flow (Cell 4) | -- | -- |
Long Term F. T. average greater than +20% | ||
Short Term F. T. greater than +3% | ||
The vehicle may have to be operated in all of the above conditions marked by an X, before the PCM determines fuel trim status. The amount of fuel trim deviates from 0 percent in each cell and the amount that each cell is used directly affects whether or not the vehicle must be operated in all of the cells described above to complete the diagnostic.
Conditions for Running the DTC
| • | No MAF, MAP, TP, ECT, IAT, CKP, CAM sensor, Misfire, Fuel Injector, VSS, EST, HO2S, EGR, or EVAP DTCs are set. |
| • | Engine coolant temperature between 20°C (68°F) and 110°C (230°F). |
| • | Intake air temperature is between -18°C (0°F) and 70°C (158°F). |
| • | Manifold absolute pressure is between 18 kPa and 80 kPa. |
| • | Throttle angle is steady and less than 90 percent. |
| • | Vehicle speed is less than 132 km/h (82 mph). |
| • | Engine speed is between 600 and 4000 RPM. |
| • | BARO is greater than 70 kPa. |
| • | Air flow is between 3 gm/s and 150 gm/s. |
Conditions for Setting the DTC
| • | Long term fuel trim average is greater then 20 percent. |
| • | Short term fuel trim is greater than 3 percent. |
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/Failure Records data. |
Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
| • | The PCM will turn OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) during the third consecutive trip in which the diagnostic has 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 a scan tool. |
Diagnostic Aids
Important: After repairs use the scan tool Fuel Trim Reset function to reset long term fuel trim to 128 (0 percent).
| • | Fuel pressure --- System will be lean if pressure is too low. It may be necessary to monitor fuel pressure while driving the vehicle at various road speeds and/or loads to confirm. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis 2.4L. |
| • | MAP sensor -- An output that causes the PCM to sense a lower than normal manifold pressure (high vacuum) can cause the system to go lean. Disconnecting the MAP sensor will allow the PCM to substitute a fixed (default) value for the MAP sensor. If the lean condition is gone when the sensor is disconnected, substitute a known good sensor and recheck. Refer to Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor Circuit Diagnosis 2.4L. |
| • | Fuel contamination-- Water, in even small amounts, near the in-tank fuel pump inlet, can be delivered to the injector. The water can cause the following conditions: |
| - | Plugged fuel filter |
| - | Lean exhaust |
| - | DTC P0171 |
| • | Inspect brake power booster inspect valve for possible leaks. |
Many situations may lead to an intermittent condition. Perform each inspection or test as directed.
Important: : Remove any debris from the connector surfaces before servicing a component. Inspect the connector gaskets when diagnosing or replacing a component. Ensure that the gaskets are installed correctly. The gaskets prevent contaminate intrusion.
| • | Loose terminal connection |
| - | Use a corresponding mating terminal to test for proper tension. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections , and to Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems for diagnosis and repair. |
| - | Inspect the harness connectors for backed out terminals, improper mating, broken locks, improperly formed or damaged terminals, and faulty terminal to wire connection. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections , and to Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems for diagnosis and repair. |
| • | Damaged harness--Inspect the wiring harness for damage. If the harness inspection does not reveal a problem, observe the display on the scan tool while moving connectors and wiring harnesses related to the sensor. A change in the scan tool display may indicate the location of the fault. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems for diagnosis and repair. |
| • | Inspect the powertrain control module (PCM) and the engine grounds for clean and secure connections. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems for diagnosis and repair. |
If the condition is determined to be intermittent, reviewing the Snapshot or Freeze Frame/Failure Records may be useful in determining when the DTC or condition was identified.
Test Description
The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.
Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Did you perform the Powertrain On Board Diagnostic System Check? | -- | ||||||
Are any DTCs set other than P0171? | -- | Go to the applicable DTC table | ||||||
3 |
Are the displayed values at or near the specified values?
| +20% +3% | ||||||
Does the scan tool indicate DTC P0171 failed this ignition? | -- | Go to Diagnostic Aids | ||||||
5 | Visually and physically inspect the vacuum hoses for splits, kinks, and improper connections and repair any problem found. Refer to Visual/Physical inspections in Symptoms Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | ||||||
6 | Visually and physically inspect the crankcase ventilation valve for proper installation and repair any problem found. Refer to Crankcase Ventilation System Description Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | ||||||
7 |
Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | ||||||
8 |
Is a high or unsteady idle being experienced? | -- | ||||||
9 | With the engine idling, observe the IAC display on the scan tool. Does the displayed value measure greater than the specified value? (Value is displayed in counts). | 5 | ||||||
10 |
Did you complete the repair? | -- | ||||||
11 |
Did you complete the repair? | -- | ||||||
12 | Check the fuel for excessive water, alcohol, or other contaminants. Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis Was the fuel contaminated? | -- | ||||||
13 |
Did you complete the repair? | -- | ||||||
14 |
Does S.T. FUEL TRIM value decrease to near the specified value? | 0% | ||||||
15 | Perform the procedure in Fuel System Pressure Test and repair fuel system problem if necessary. Refer to Fuel System Pressure Test Did you correct the condition? | -- | ||||||
16 | Perform the Evaporative Emissions Control (EVAP) Canister Purge Valve System Check and repair EVAP system problem if necessary. Refer to Evaporative Emission Control System Diagnosis Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | ||||||
17 |
| -- | ||||||
18 | Visually and physically inspect the exhaust manifold for leaks and loose or missing hardware and correct any problem found. Refer to Visual/Physical inspection in Symptoms Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | ||||||
19 | Perform the Injector Balance Test and correct any problem found. Refer to Fuel Injector Balance Test Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | ||||||
20 | Visually and physically inspect the HO2S to ensure that it is installed securely and that the HO2S pigtail and wiring harness are not contacting the exhaust or otherwise damaged. Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Diagnostic Aids | |||||
21 | Replace the MAF sensor. Refer to Mass Airflow Sensor Replacement Did you complete the replacement? | -- | -- | |||||
22 |
Does the DTC reset? | -- | System OK |
