Troubleshooting
DTC P0172 SYSTEM TOO RICH (BANK 1)CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
DTC Detection 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 stoichio-metric 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 short-term fuel trim varies from the central value due to individual engine differences, wear over time and changes in operating environment. The long-term fuel trim, which controls overall fuel compensation, steadies long-term deviations of the short-term fuel trim from the central value.
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 illuminates.
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 values. And the deviation from the 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: The smoothed fuel trim leaning value is more than +40% or less than -35%. The ECM interprets this as a failure in the fuel system.
Wiring Diagram:
Step 1 - 3:
Step 4 - 5:
Step 5 (continued) - 9:
Step 10 - 11:
Step 12 - 13:
Step 14 - 15:
Step 16 - 20:
Step 21 - 22:
INSPECTION PROCEDURE
HINT:
Hand-held tester only: It is possible the malfunctioning area can be found using the ACTIVE TEST A/F CONTROL operation. The A/F CONTROL operation can determine if the A/F sensor, heated oxygen sensor or other potential trouble areas are malfunctioning or not.
a. Perform the ACTIVE TEST A/F CONTROL operation.
HINT:
The A/F CONTROL operation lowers the injection volume 12.5% or increases the injection volume 25%.
1. Connect the hand-held tester to the DLC3 on the vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition switch to ON.
3. Warm up the engine by running the engine at 2,500 rpm for approximately 90 seconds.
4. Select the item: DIAGNOSIS / ENHANCED OBD II / ACTIVE TEST / A/F CONTROL.
5. Perform the A/F CONTROL operation 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 delay of few seconds in the sensor 1 (front sensor) output, and there is about 20 seconds delay at maximum in the sensor 2 (rear sensor).
The A/F CONTROL procedure enables the technician to check and graph the voltage outputs of both the heated oxygen sensor.
To display the graph, enter ACTIVE TEST/ A/F CONTROL/USER DATA, then select "O2S B1S1 and O2S B1S2" or "O2S B2S1 and O2S B2S2" by pressing the "YES" button followed by the "ENTER" button and then the "F4" button.
NOTE: If the vehicle is short of fuel, the air-fuel ratio becomes LEAN and heated oxygen sensor DTCs will be recorded, and the MIL then illuminates.
HINT: If different DTCs related to different systems that have terminal E2 as the ground terminal are output simultaneously, 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, freeze frame data can help determine if the vehicle was running or stopped, if the engine was warmed up or not, if the air-fuel ratio was lean or rich, and other data from the time the malfunction occurred.
A high heated oxygen sensor (sensor 1) voltage (0.55 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
HINT:
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 a hand-held tester. In check mode, the ECM uses 1 trip detection logic, which has a higher sensitivity to malfunctions than normal mode (default) using 2 trip detection logic.
a. Clear the DTCs.
b. Switch the hand-held tester from normal mode to check mode.
c. Perform a simulation test.
d. Check the connector(s) and terminal(s).
e. Wiggle the harness(s) and connector(s).