The heated oxygen sensor 1 (HO2S-1) sends voltage signals that relate
the difference in oxygen between the atmosphere and exhaust gas. Under normal driving
conditions, except power enrichment mode, the PCM attempts to maintain a 14.7:1 air/fuel
ratio. The PCM can make corrections from a nominal 128 short/long term fuel trim value
(0 percent correction) within a maximum window of 70-165 (-45 percent
to +29 percent correction) without setting DTC P0171 or P0172. If the
PCM determines a rich condition exists (HO2S-1 voltage above 600 mV), it will
decrease injector pulse width to maintain a 14.7:1 air/fuel ratio. The short term
fuel trim value will be between 70-128. If the PCM determines a lean condition
exists (HO2S-1 voltage below 300 mV), it will increase injector pulse width
to maintain a 14.7:1 air/fuel ratio. The short term fuel trim value will be
between 128-165. When certain conditions have been met (ECT and closed loop),
the PCM will go into a leaned fuel control mode by updating and using a total of
22 long term fuel trim cells for idle, cruise, accel and decel. These cells
update based on the short term fuel trim value. If the short term fuel trim value
goes a certain number of counts in one direction, the long term fuel trim value will
update in the same direction, in the cell that corresponds with the drive condition
the vehicle was in. After approximately 2 minutes of being in each of the long
term fuel trim cells, the PCM will enable the EVAP purge solenoid (pulling fuel
from the EVAP canister) and a new set of long term fuel trim cells called purge long
term fuel trim cells will be used. However, DTC P0171 is run before the purge
cells are used and sets when the combined average of the long term fuel trim cells
for idle and cruise is above the calibrated long term fuel trim value.
DTC Parameters
DTC P0171 will set if the LTFT value is greater than 165 (greater than 29 percent
correction) when:
| • | The condition exists for longer than 16 seconds. |
| • | The ECT is between 60-115 °C (140-239°F). |
| • | The IAT is between -25° and +115°C (-13° and +239°F). |
| • | The MAP is greater than 28 kPa (auto) or 26 kPa (manual). |
| • | The engine speed is between 550-3600 RPM (auto) or 750-3600
(manual). |
| • | The vehicle speed is less than 132 km/h (82 mph). |
| • | The fuel level is greater than 9.8 percent. |
| • | The barometric pressure is greater than 72 kPa. |
| • | No cam, CKP, ECT, fuel injector, IAT, knock, MAP, misfire, TP, HO2S-1,
vehicle speed, P0446, P0601, P0602 or P1441 DTCs have been set |
DTC P0171 diagnostic runs continuously once the above conditions
have been met.
P0171 is a type B DTC.
Diagnostic Aids
DTC P0171 indicates the engine is running lean. The following are possible causes
of a lean air/fuel mixture:
| • | Fuel quality poor or water in fuel |
| • | Exhaust manifold gasket leak or leak around HO2S-1 |
To verify the system is running lean, use the scan tool to monitor HO2S-1 and
HO2S-2. If both sensors are below 300 mV, the system is running lean and the
oxygen sensors are probably not at fault.
