DTC P0171 Fuel Trim System Lean Bank 1. Cadillac Concours 1996

For 1990-2009 cars
Engine Controls Components
Heated Oxygen Sensors
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
ESD Notice

### 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 heated oxygen sensor signal voltage and adjust fuel delivery based on signal voltage. A change made to fuel delivery will be indicated by the long term and short term fuel trim values which can be monitored with a scan tool. Ideal fuel trim values are around 0%; if heated oxygen sensor signal is indicating a lean condition, the PCM will add fuel, resulting in a fuel trim above 0%, 100% is maximum lean. If a rich condition is detected, the fuel trim values will be below 0%, -99% is maximum rich, indicating that the PCM is reducing the amount of fuel delivered. If an excessively lean condition is detected, the PCM will set DTC P0171.

### Conditions for Setting the DTC

#### Test Conditions

• | DTCs P0101, P0102, P0103, P0106, P0107, P0108, P0121, P0122, P0131, P0132, P0133, P0134, P0137, P0138, P0140, P0143, P0144, P0146, P0151, P0154, P0562, P0163, P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204, P0205, P0206, P0207, P0208, P0300, P0325, P0327, P0340, P0401, P0506, P0507, P1121, P1133, P1153, P1154, P1441, P1442, P1508 and P1509 are not set

• | Closed loop enabled.

• | Engine Coolant Temperature between 84.5°C (184°F) and 105°C (221°F).

• | Barometric Pressure greater than 70.8 kPa.

• | Mass Air Flow between 3 and 200 grams per second.

• | Manifold Absolute Pressure between 27 and 103.2 kPa.

• | Intake Air Temperature between -40°C (-40°F) and 151°C (304°F).

• | Engine speed between 400 and 3000 RPM.

• | Throttle angle less than 19.8%.

• | Vehicle speed less than 70 mph.

• | Evap canister purge tank not full (PCM estimation).

• | Fuel trim enabled.

#### Failure Condition

The PCM detects a lean condition in Bank 1.

### Action Taken When the DTC Sets

• | The PCM will illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) when the diagnostic runs and fails.

• | The PCM will record operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. This information will be stored in the Freeze Frame and Failure Records.

### Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

• | The PCM will turn the MIL OFF after three consecutive drive trips within the same driving parameters that set the DTC and the diagnostic runs and does not fail.

• | A Last Test Failed (current) DTC will clear when the diagnostic runs and does not fail.

• | A History DTC will clear after eighty drive cycles within the same driving parameters that set the DTC with no failures of any emission related diagnostic test.

• | Use a scan tool to clear DTCs.

• | Interrupting PCM battery voltage may or may not clear DTCs. This practice is not recommended. Refer to Clearing Diagnostic Trouble Codes in PCM Description and Operation.

### Diagnostic Aids

If the scan tool indicated the test ran and passed, the fault is not present. If the scan tool indicated that the test did not run, ensure that all the test conditions were met.

Important: An improperly installed air cleaner or a distorted /missing Intake Air Duct may cause this DTC to set. Ensure air cleaner assembly / IA duct is installed correctly and that there are no kinks, folds or damage to the IA Duct or possible debris in the air cleaner assembly or the MAF sensor inlet screen that may distort the air flow.

### Test Description

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

1. Determines whether the fault is present.

2. Freeze frame data will aid in locating a hard to find malfunction. For example, if the fault only occurs at high speed, this would be determined by monitoring the fuel trim cells. The fuel trim cell for cruise could be above 95%, which indicates a lean condition. The freeze frame will also indicate how many miles ago the condition was present.

3. If DTC P0174 is also set indicates both banks are operating lean. Inspect items that would cause both banks to operate lean.

Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
1 | Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check performed? | -- | Go to Step 2 | Go to A Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check
2 | Connect a scan tool. Are any DTCs other than P0171 and P0174 set? | -- | Diagnose other DTCs first | Go to Step 3

3

1. Start and run engine until engine coolant temperature is the same or more than the value specified and Loop Status indicates Closed.
2. Check the Long Term Bn. 1 and the Shrt. Term Bn. 1 values.

Are either values less than their specified value?

85°C (185°F)

95% LT

98% ST

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 5

4

1. Using Freeze Frame data, note the conditions under which the DTC set.
2. Clear this DTC and operate vehicle under the conditions that it previously set.
3. Using Not Run SCC and Test Fail SCC on the scan tool verify that this diagnostic test runs while duplicating test conditions.

Has this diagnostic test ran and failed this ignition cycle?

--

Go to Step 5

Refer to Diagnostic Aids

5 | Is DTC P0174 also set? | -- | Go to Step 6 | Go to Step 7

6

Visually/physically inspect the following items:

• | Vacuum hoses for splits, kinks and proper connections.

• | Throttle body, intake manifold and EGR valve for vacuum leaks.

• | Crankcase ventilation valve and/or system for leaks including a loose or missing Oil Fill cap or oil dipstick.

• | Contaminated fuel.

• | PCM and sensor grounds are clean tight and in proper locations.

• | Air induction system after MAF sensor for vacuum leaks.

• | Engine mechanical failure.

Was a problem found in any of the above areas?

--

Go to Step 8

Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis

7

Visually/physically inspect the following items:

• | Bank 1 exhaust leaks, missing or loose exhaust hardware.

• | Bank 1 HO2S #1 is installed securely and electrical connector not contacting exhaust system or ignition wires.

• | Engine mechanical failure.

• | Vacuum leaks that will only affect Bank 1 (Intake manifold, injector O rings, etc.)

Was a problem found in any of the above areas?

--

Go to Step 8

Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis

8 | Repair or replace any faulty items found. Is the repair completed? | -- | Go to Powertrain Control Module Diagnosis for Verify Repair | --