GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

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 voltage. 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% if the HO2S signals are indicating a lean condition the PCM will add fuel, resulting in fuel trim values above 0%. If a rich condition is detected, the fuel trim values will be below 0%, 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 -23% and +16%. The PCMs maximum authority to control short term fuel trim allows a range between -11% and +20%. The PCM monitors fuel trim under various operating conditions (fuel trim cells) before determining the status of the fuel trim diagnostic.

The vehicle may have to be operated in all of the above conditions before the PCM determines fuel trim status. The amount that fuel trim deviates from 0% in each cell and the amount that each cell is weighted directly affects whether or not the vehicle must be operated in all of the cells described above to complete the diagnostic.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • No MAF sensor, ECT sensor, HO2S, TP sensor, EVAP, EGR, Misfire, Injector circuit, Idle speed, MAP sensor, VSS, CMP sensor, CKP sensor, IC circuit or IAT sensor DTCs set.
    • Engine coolant temperature between 20°C (68°F) and 110°C (230°F).
    • Intake air temperature is between -20 (-4) and 65°C (149°F).
    • Manifold absolute pressure is between 18 kPa and 80 kPa.
    • Throttle angle is steady below 90%.
    • Vehicle speed is below 75 mph
    • Engine speed between 550 and 5000 RPM.
    • Long term fuel trim is at or near maximum authority of 16%.
    • Short term fuel trim is at or near maximum authority of 20%.
    • Air flow between 3.6 and 175 gps.
    • BARO is greater than 70 kPa.

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 and Failure Records data.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The PCM will turn OFF the MIL during the third consecutive trip in which the diagnostic has been 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 the scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

Check for the following conditions:

    • Poor connection at PCM. Inspect harness connectors for backed out terminals, improper mating, broken locks, improperly formed or damaged terminals, and poor terminal to wire connection
    • Damaged harness. Inspect the wiring harness for damage. If the harness appears to be OK, observe the HO2S 1 display on the scan tool while moving connectors and wiring harnesses related to the engine harness. A change in the display will indicate the location of the fault.

Reviewing the Fail Records vehicle mileage since the diagnostic test last failed may help determine how often the condition that caused the DTC to be set occurs. This may assist in diagnosing the condition.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the Diagnostic Table:

  1. DTCs other than P0171 may indicate a condition present which may cause a lean condition. If this is the case, repairing the condition which caused the other DTC will most likely correct the DTC P0171.

  1. If the DTC P0171 test passes while the Fail Records conditions are being duplicated, the lean condition is intermittent. Refer to Diagnostic Aids or Symptoms for additional information on diagnosing intermittent problems.

DTC P0171 - Fuel Trim System Lean

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Was the Powertrain ON Board Diagnostic System Check performed?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

Are any DTCs set other than P0171?

--

Go to the applicable DTCs

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Start and run vehicle in closed loop.
  2. Observe Long Term FT and Short Term FT display on the scan tool Eng 1 data list.

Are the displayed values at or near the specified values?

    •  Long Term FT is the first specified value.
    • Short Term FT is the second specified value.

+16%

+20%

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 4

4

  1. Review and record the scan tool Fail Records data.
  2. Clear the DTC P0171 and operate the vehicle to duplicate the Fail Records conditions.
  3. Monitor the scan tool Specific DTC info for DTC P0171 while operating the vehicle to duplicate the Fail Records conditions.
  4. Continue operating the vehicle until the DTC P0171 test runs and note test result.

Does the scan tool indicate DTC P0171 failed this ignition?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Diagnostic Aids

5

Visually and physically inspect the vacuum hoses for splits, kinks, and improper connections and repair any problem found.

Did your inspection reveal a problem requiring repair?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 6

6

Visually and physically inspect the crankcase ventilation valve for proper installation and repair any problem found. Refer to Crankcase Ventilation System Description .

Did inspection reveal a problem requiring repair?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 7

7

  1. Inspect the throttle body inlet screen for damage or for the presence of foreign objects which may partially block the airflow sample through the MAF sensor.
  2. Correct any problem that is found as necessary.

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

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 8

8

  1. Start the engine.
  2. Observe the idle quality.

Is a high or unsteady idle being experienced?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 11

9

With the engine idling, observe the IDLE AIR CONTROL display on the scan tool.

Is the displayed value greater than the specified value? (Value is displayed in counts).

5

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 10

10

  1. Visually and physically inspect the throttle body, intake manifold, EGR valve and the EGR feed pipes for vacuum leaks.
  2. Repair any vacuum leaks as necessary.

Did your inspection reveal a vacuum leak?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 11

11

  1. Perform Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve System Check.
  2. Correct any IAC problem as necessary.

Did the System Check isolate a problem requiring repair?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 12

12

Check the fuel for excessive water, alcohol, or other contaminants. Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis .

Was the fuel contaminated?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 13

13

  1. Visually and physically inspect the PCM injector grounds, power grounds and sensor grounds to ensure that they are clean, tight, and in their proper locations.
  2. If a faulty ground condition is present, correct it as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did your inspection reveal a condition requiring repair?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 14

14

  1. Disconnect the MAF sensor electrical connector.
  2. Operate the vehicle in Closed Loop while monitoring the Short Term FT displayed on the scan tool.

Does Short Term FT value decrease to near the specified value?

0%

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 15

15

Perform the procedure in Fuel System Pressure Test and repair fuel system problem if necessary. Refer to Fuel System Pressure Test .

Did the Fuel System Pressure Test isolate a condition requiring repair?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 16

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 EVAP Canister Purge Valve System Check isolate a problem?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 17

17

  1. Visually and physically inspect the intake manifold, injector O-rings, EGR adapter, EGR valve and the EGR feed pipes for vacuum leaks.
  2. Repair any problem that is found.

Did your inspection reveal a problem?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 18

18

Visually and physically inspect the exhaust manifold for leaks and loose or missing hardware and correct any problem found.

Did your inspection reveal a problem?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 19

19

Perform the Injector Balance Test and correct any problem found. Refer to Fuel Injector Balance Test .

Did the Injector Balance Test isolate a problem?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 20

20

  1. 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.
  2. If a problem is found, correct it as necessary.

Did your inspection reveal a problem?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Diagnostic Aids

21

Replace the MAF sensor.

Refer to MAF Sensor Replacement .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 22

--

22

  1. Review and record the scan tool Fail Records data.
  2. Clear the DTC P0171 and operate the vehicle to duplicate the Fail Records conditions.
  3. Monitor the scan tool Specific DTC info for DTC P0171 while operating the vehicle to duplicate the Fail Records conditions.
  4. Continue operating the vehicle until the DTC P0171 test runs and note test result.

Does the scan tool indicate DTC P0171 failed this ignition?

--

Go to Step 2

System OK