FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
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P0171

DTC P0171 System too Lean (Bank 1)

CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION

DTC Detecting Condition:




The fuel trim is related to the feedback compensation value, not to the basic injection time. The fuel trim includes the short-term fuel trim and the long-term fuel trim.

The short-term fuel trim is the short-term fuel compensation used to maintain the air-fuel ratio at stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. The signal from the heated oxygen sensor indicates whether the air-fuel ratio is RICH or LEAN compared to the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. This variance triggers a reduction in the fuel volume if the air-fuel ratio is RICH, and an increase in the fuel volume if it is LEAN.

The long-term fuel trim is the overall fuel compensation carried out in long-term to compensate for a continual deviation of the short-term fuel trim from the central value, due to individual engine differences, wear over time and changes in the operating environment.

If both the short-term fuel trim and the long-term fuel trim are LEAN or RICH beyond a certain value, it is detected as a malfunction and the MIL is illuminated and a DTC is set.

HINT:
- When DTC P0171 or P0174 is recorded, the actual air-fuel ratio is on the LEAN side. When DTC P0172 or P0175 is recorded, the actual air-fuel ratio is on the RICH side.
- If the vehicle runs out of fuel, the air-fuel ratio is LEAN and DTC P0171 or P0174 may be recorded. The MIL then comes on.
- If the total of the short-term fuel trim value and long-term fuel trim value is within ±35% (engine coolant temperature is more than 75°C (167°F)), the system is functioning normally.

MONITOR DESCRIPTION




Monitor Strategy:




Typical Enabling Conditions:




Typical Malfunction Thresholds:




Under closed-loop fuel control, fuel injection amounts that deviate from the ECM's estimated fuel amount will cause a change in the long-term fuel trim compensation value. This long-term fuel trim is adjusted when there are persistent deviations in the short-term fuel trim value. And the deviation from a simulated fuel injection amount by the ECM affects a smoothed fuel trim learning value. The smoothed fuel trim learning value is the combination of smoothed short-term fuel trim (fuel feedback compensation value) and smoothed long-term fuel trim (learning value of the air-fuel ratio). When the smoothed fuel trim learning value exceeds the DTC threshold, the ECM interprets this as a fault in the fuel system and sets a DTC.

Example:
If the smoothed fuel trim learning value is more than +45% or less than -35%. The ECM interprets this as a malfunction in the fuel system.

Wiring Diagram:






INSPECTION PROCEDURE

Step 1 - 3:




Step 4:




Step 5 - 6:




Step 7 - 8:




Step 9 - 11:




Step 12 - 13:




Step 14 - 15:




Step 16 - 20:




Step 21 - 22:






HINT:
Hand-held tester only:
Narrowing down the trouble area is possible by performing ACTIVE TEST of the following "A/F CONTROL" (Heated oxygen sensor or another can be distinguished).

a. Perform ACTIVE TEST by hand-held tester (A/F CONTROL).

HINT: "A/F CONTROL" is the ACTIVE TEST which changes the injection volume to -12.5% or +25%.

1. Connect the hand-held tester to the DLC3 on the vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition switch ON.
3. Warm up the engine with the engine speed at 2,500 rpm for approximately 90 seconds.
4. Select the menu "DIAGNOSIS / ENHANCED OBD II / ACTIVE TEST / A/F CONTROL".
5. Perform "A/F CONTROL" with the engine in an idle condition (press the right or left button).

RESULT:
Heated oxygen sensor reacts in accordance with increase and decrease of injection volume
+25% -> rich output: More than 0.5 V
-12.5% -> lean output: Less than 0.4 V

NOTE: There is a few seconds delay in the sensor 1 (front sensor) output. And there is approximately 20 seconds delay in the sensor 2 (rear sensor).




The following A/F CONTROL procedure enables the technician to check and graph the voltage output of the heated oxygen sensors (sensor 1 and 2).

For displaying the graph indication, enter "ACTIVE TEST / A/F CONTROL / USER DATA" then select "O2S B1S1 and O2S B1S2" by pressing "YES" button and push "ENTER" button before pressing "F4" button.

HINT:
- If different DTCs related to different systems that have terminal E2 as the ground terminal are output, terminal E2 may be open.
- Read freeze frame data using the hand-held tester or the OBD II scan tool. Freeze frame data records the engine conditions when a malfunction is detected. When troubleshooting, it is useful for determining whether the vehicle was running or stopped, the engine was warmed up or not, the air-fuel ratio was lean or rich, etc. at the time of the malfunction.
- A high heated oxygen sensor (sensor 1) voltage (0.5 V or more) could be caused by a rich air fuel mixture. Check for conditions that would cause the engine to run rich.
- A low heated oxygen sensor (sensor 1) voltage (0.4 V or less) could be caused by a lean air fuel mixture. Check for conditions that would cause the engine to run lean.

CHECK FOR INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS

Hand-held tester only:
Inspect the vehicle's ECM using check mode. Intermittent problems are easier to detect when the ECM is in check mode with hand-held tester. In check mode, the ECM uses 1 trip detection logic, which has a higher sensitivity to malfunctions than normal mode (default), which uses 2 trip detection logic.

a. Clear the DTCs (see step 2).
b. Set the check mode (see step 3).
c. Perform a simulation test.
d. Check the connector and terminal.
e. Wiggle the harness and connector.