GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

System Description

In order to provide the best possible combination of driveability, fuel economy, and emission control, a Closed Loop air and fuel metering system is used. While in a Closed Loop, the PCM monitors the oxygen sensor signal voltage. The PCM adjusts fuel delivery based on signal voltage. The long and short term fuel trim values will indicate a change made to the fuel delivery. The ideal fuel trim values are around 128 (0 percent). Whenever the oxygen sensor signal is indicating a lean condition, the PCM will add fuel resulting in fuel trim values above 128 (0 to 100 percent). Whenever a rich condition is detected, the fuel trim values will read below 128 (0 to 100 percent), indicating that the PCM is reducing the amount of fuel delivered. Whenever the exhaust emissions reach an excessive level due to a rich condition, a fuel trim DTC will set.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • DTCs P0105, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0117, P0118, P0122, P0123, P0125, P0131, P0132, P0133, P0134, P0200, P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0325, P0335, P0341, P0342, P0446, P0502, P0503, P0506, P0507, P0601, P0602, P1133, and P1441 are not set.
    • The intake air temperature (IAT) is between -25°C (-13°F) and 115°C (175°F).
    • The engine coolant temperature is between 60°C (140°F) and 115°C (239°F).
    • The engine speed is between 550 RPM and 3400 RPM.
    • The vehicle speed is below 116 km/h (72 mph).
    • The MAP is above 26 kPa.
    • The BARO is more than 72 kPa.
    • The EVAP purge is not occurring.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The fuel trim index is below 70 (-46 percent).
    • The above condition is present for more than 16 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminates if the fault is active within the same conditions for 2 out of 80 ignition cycles.
        OR
    • The MIL will illuminates after two consecutive ignition cycles in which the diagnostic runs with the fault active.
    • The PCM records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The Freeze Frame and Failure Records buffers stores this information.
    • A history DTC is stored.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The MIL will turn off after 3 consecutive ignition cycles in which the diagnostic runs without a fault within the freeze frame conditions that the DTC failed.
    • A history DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm up cycles without a fault.
    • A scan tool can clear the DTCs.

Diagnostic Aids

    • Check for a poor connection at the PCM. Inspect harness connectors for the following conditions:
       - Backed out terminals
       - Improper mating
       - Broken locks
       - Improperly formed or damaged terminals
       - Poor terminal to wire connection
    • Check for a damaged harness. If the harness appears to be OK, observe the O2S 1 display on the scan tool while moving the connectors and wiring harness related to the engine harness. A change in the display will indicate the location of the fault.

Test Description

The number(s) below refer(s) to the step number(s) on the Diagnostic Table.

  1. The Powertrain OBD System Check prompts you to complete some of the basic checks and to store the freeze frame and failure records data on the scan tool if applicable. This creates an electronic copy of the data captured when the malfunction occurred. The scan tool stores this data for later reference.

  2. A clogged air cleaner filter element restricts the airflow coming into the engine. This step checks the condition of the air cleaner filter.

  3. A leaky fuel injector can cause a rich condition and set DTC P0172. Refer to Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test - Engine Coolant Temperature Between 10-35 Degrees C (50-95 Degrees F) for further diagnosis.

  4. A loose TP sensor may not set a TP sensor related DTC, but could cause the system to become rich by a higher than actual TP reading.

DTC P0172-Fuel Trim System Rich

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

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

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

  1. Turn ON the ignition switch leaving the engine OFF.
  2. Install a scan tool.

Are there any component related DTCs set?

--

Go to Component DTC table

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Start the engine.
  2. Allow the engine to reach the normal operating temperature.
  3. Operate the vehicle while in a Closed Loop operation.

Is the Fuel Trim Index above the specified value?

-46%

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 5

4

  1. Turn OFF the engine leaving the ignition switch ON.
  2. Review the Freeze Frame data and record the parameters.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Freeze Frame conditions and Conditions For Setting the DTC as specified.

Is the Fuel Trim Index above the specified value while operating under the specified conditions?

-46%

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 5

5

  1. Turn OFF the ignition switch.
  2. Visually and physically check the air cleaner filter element for excessive dirt or for any foreign objects which may block the airflow. Refer to Air Cleaner Element Replacement .
  3. Replace the air cleaner filter element if necessary.

Did the air cleaner filter require a replacement?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 6

6

  1. Visually and physically check following conditions in the air intake system:
  2. • Collapsed
    • Restricted
  3. Repair the air intake system if necessary.

Did the air intake system require a repair?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 7

7

  1. Inspect the throttle body inlet for damage or for any foreign objects which may partially block the airflow.
  2. Correct any problem that is present.

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

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 8

8

  1. Inspect the following components for blockage or any foreign objects:
  2. • Throttle bore
    • Throttle plate
    • IAC passages
  3. If a problem is present, repair the problem as necessary.

Did the inspection reveal a condition requiring a repair?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 9

9

  1. Start the engine with the vehicle in P or N and with the A/C OFF.
  2. Verify the idle quality.

Is the engine experiencing a low or an unsteady idle?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 12

10

  1. Idle the engine.
  2. Verify the IAC counts with the engine idling.

Are the IAC counts below the specified value?

100

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 11

11

  1. Turn OFF the ignition switch.
  2. Disconnect the MAP sensor electrical connector.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Operate the vehicle while in a Closed Loop operation. (You may have to drive the vehicle to get Closed Loop operation.)

Does the Fuel Trim Index increase above the specified value?

-46%

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 12

12

  1. Turn OFF the ignition switch.
  2. Refer to DTC P0506 Idle Speed Low or DTC P0507 Idle Speed High in order to check the IAC valve performance.
  3. If a problem is present, repair the problem as necessary.

Did the inspection reveal a condition requiring a repair?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 13

13

  1. Disconnect the vacuum hose from the fuel pressure regulator.
  2. Inspect the hose for the presence of fuel.
  3. If any fuel is present in the vacuum hose, replace the fuel pressure regulator. Refer to Fuel Pressure Regulator Replacement .

Did the fuel pressure regulator require a replacement?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 14

14

  1. Turn ON the ignition switch leaving the engine OFF.
  2. Slowly depress the accelerator pedal.

Does the throttle position display increase steadily and evenly from the minimum voltage at closed throttle to the maximum voltage at wide-open throttle?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 19

15

  1. Perform the Fuel System Diagnosis .
  2. If the table isolates a problem, repair the problem as necessary.

Did the table isolate a problem requiring a repair?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 16

16

  1. Perform the Evaporative Emission Control System Diagnosis .
  2. If the table isolates a problem, repair the problem as necessary.

Was a problem isolated that required a repair?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 17

17

  1. Perform the Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test - Engine Coolant Temperature Between 10-35 Degrees C (50-95 Degrees F) and the Fuel Injector Balance Test .
  2. If the table isolates a problem, repair the problem as necessary.

Did the table isolate a problem requiring a repair?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 18

18

  1. Turn OFF the ignition switch.
  2. Remove and visually/physically inspect the O2S 1 for any silicon contamination. This contamination will be indicated by a powdery white deposit on the portion of the O2S 1 sensor exposed to the exhaust stream.
  3. If there is contamination present on the O2S 1 sensor, find the source of the contamination and repair.
  4. Caution: Avoid contact with moving parts and hot surfaces while working around a running engine in order to prevent physical injury.

  5. Replace the contaminated O2S 1 sensor. Refer to the Oxygen Sensor Replacement .

Was there contamination present?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Diagnostic Aids

19

  1. Turn OFF the ignition switch.
  2. Check the TP sensor mounting screws. Tighten or replace the screws if the screws are loose or missing.
  3. If the screws are OK, replace the TP sensor. Refer to the Throttle Position Sensor Replacement .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 21

--

20

  1. Turn OFF the ignition switch.
  2. Replace the MAP sensor. Refer to the Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor Replacement .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 21

--

21

  1. Clear the DTCs with the scan tool.
  2. Start the engine.
  3. Idle the engine at the normal operating temperature.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the conditions for setting this DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the scan tool indicate that this diagnostic ran and passed?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 2

22

Check to see if any additional DTCs are set.

Does the scan tool display any DTCs that you have not diagnosed?

--

Go to applicable DTC table

System OK