DTC P0171 Fuel Trim System Lean. Buick GL7 (Export) 2000

For 1990-2009 cars

Table 1: | DTC P0171 - Fuel Trim System Lean

### 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 powertrain control module (PCM) monitors the HO2S 1 signal and adjusts the fuel delivery based upon the heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) signal voltages. A change made to the fuel delivery will be indicated by the long and short term fuel trim values which can be monitored with a scan tool. The 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 of more than 0 percent. If a rich condition is detected, the fuel trim values will be less than 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 maximum authority of the PCM to control the long term fuel trim allows a range between -25 percent and +20 percent. The maximum authority of the PCM to control the short term fuel trim allows a range between -27 percent and +27 percent. The PCM monitors fuel trim under various operating conditions, called 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) | -- | --
Accel (Cell 3) | X | --
High Flow (Cell 4) | -- | --
Long Term FT average more than +19%
Short Term FT more than +4%

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 deviation 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, misfire, fuel injector, VSS, ignition, HO2S, EGR, or EVAP DTCs are set

• | The ECT is between 60°C and 110°C (140°F - 230°F).

• | The IAT is between -18°C and +70°C (0°F - 158°F).

• | The MAP is between 15 kPa and 80 kPa.

• | The throttle angle is steady and less than 90 percent.

• | The vehicle speed is less than 132 km/h (82 mph).

• | The engine speed is between 600 and 4000 RPM.

• | The barometric pressure (BARO) is more than 70 kPa.

• | The air flow is between 3 gm/s and 150 gm/s.

### Conditions for Setting the DTC

• | The Long Term Fuel Trim is at or near the maximum authority of 19 percent.

• | The Short Term Fuel Trim is more than 4 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

Inspect for the following conditions:

• | The HO2S pigtail may be routed incorrectly and contacting the exhaust system.

• | Poor PCM-to-engine block grounds. Refer to Ground Distribution Schematics in Wiring Systems.

• | The fuel pressure may be low. The system will go lean if pressure is too low. The PCM can compensate for some decrease. However, if the fuel pressure is too low, a DTC P0171 may be set. Refer to Fuel System Pressure Test .

• | Faulty fuel injectors. Refer to Fuel Injector Balance Test .

• | Any vacuum leaks. Inspect for disconnected or damaged vacuum hoses and for vacuum leaks at the intake manifold, the throttle body, the EGR system, and the PCV system. Refer to Visual/Physical Inspection in Symptoms .

• | Any exhaust leaks. An exhaust leak may cause outside air to be pulled into the exhaust gas stream past the HO2S, causing the system to appear lean. Check for exhaust leaks that may cause a false lean condition to be indicated. Refer to Exhaust System Description in Engine Exhaust.

• | Disconnect the MAF sensor and see if the lean condition is corrected. If so, replace the MAF sensor. Refer to Mass Airflow Sensor Replacement .

• | Fuel contamination. Water, even in small amounts, can be delivered to the fuel injectors. The water can cause a lean exhaust to be indicated. Excessive alcohol in the fuel can also cause this condition. Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis .

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.

1. Any 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 Failure Records conditions are being duplicated, the lean condition is intermittent.

#### DTC P0171 - Fuel Trim System Lean

Step | Action | Values | 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 | Are any DTCs set other than P0171? | -- | Go to the applicable DTC table | Go to Step 3

3

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

Are the displayed values at or near the specified values?

+19% (L.T)

+4% (S.T)

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 4

4

1. Review and record the scan tool Failure Records data.
2. Clear the DTC P0171 and operate the vehicle within the Failure Records conditions.
3. Monitor the scan tool Specific DTC info for DTC P0171 while operating the vehicle within the Failure Records conditions.
4. Continue operating the vehicle until the DTC P0171 test runs and note the 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. Refer to Symptoms . Did your inspection reveal a problem requiring repair? | -- | Go to Step 21 | 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 Inspection . Did your inspection reveal a problem requiring repair? | -- | Go to Step 21 | 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 21

Go to Step 8

8

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

Is the engine idle high or unsteady ?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 11

9 | With the engine idling, observe the IAC display on the scan tool. Is the displayed scan tool value more than the specified value? | 5 | Go to Step 11 | Go to Step 10

10

1. Visually and physically inspect the throttle body, the intake manifold, the 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 21

Go to Step 11

11

1. Perform the Idle Air Control System Diagnosis. Refer to Idle Air Control (IAC) System Diagnosis .
2. Correct any IAC problem as necessary.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 12

12 | Test the fuel for excessive water, alcohol, or other contaminants. Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis . Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 21 | Go to Step 13

13

1. Verify the PCM injector grounds, the power grounds, and the sensor grounds are clean, tight, and in the proper locations.
2. If a faulty ground condition is present, correct the condition as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 21

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 display on the scan tool.

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

0%

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 15

15 | Perform the procedure in Fuel System Pressure Test and repair a fuel system problem if necessary. Refer to Fuel System Pressure Test . Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 21 | Go to Step 16

16

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 17

17 | Visually and physically inspect the exhaust manifold for leaks and loose or missing hardware and correct any problem found. Refer to Symptoms . Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 21 | Go to Step 18
18 | Perform the Fuel Injector Balance Test and correct any problem found. Refer to Fuel Injector Balance Test . Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 21 | Go to Step 19

19

Important: Ensure the engine is operating at a normal temperature and in Closed Loop.

1. Start the engine.
2. With a scan tool, observe the HO2S 1 voltage parameter.

Is the HO2S 1 voltage less than the specified value?

200 mV

Go To DTC P0131 HO2S Circuit Low Voltage Sensor 1

Go to Diagnostic Aids

20 | Replace the MAF sensor. Refer to Mass Airflow Sensor Replacement . Did you complete the replacement? | -- | Go to Step 21 | --

21

1. Review and record the scan tool Failure Records data.
2. Clear the DTC P0171 and operate the vehicle within the Failure Records conditions.
3. Monitor the scan tool Specific DTC info for DTC P0171 while operating the vehicle within the Failure 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