GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The PCM uses a closed loop fuel trim system to provide the best combination of driveability, fuel economy, and emissions control. The fuel trim system adjusts the pulse width of the fuel injectors based on the signals from the heated oxygen (HO2) sensors. The scan tool Long Term and Short Term FT values indicate corrections made by the fuel trim system. If the HO2 sensors indicate a lean system, the PCM will increase the pulse width of the fuel injectors. The fuel trim values will be positive. If the HO2 sensors indicate a rich system, the PCM will decrease the pulse width of the fuel injectors. The fuel trim values will be negative. The fuel trim values will be below 0 percent. The PCM will set DTC P0172 if the PCM is not able to correct for a rich condition in cylinder bank 1.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    •  TP sensor, MAP sensor, MAF sensor, HO2S, KS sensor, Idle speed, Injector, Misfire, EGR Flow, CMP sensor DTCs are not set.
    • EGR Flow test is inactive.
    •  Engine coolant temperature between 20°C and 115°C (68°F and 239°F)
    •  Barometric pressure more than 75 kPa
    •  Mass air flow between 3 and 60 grams per second
    •  Manifold absolute pressure between 15 and 85 kPa
    •  Intake air temperature between -20°C and 100°C (-4°F and 212°F)
    •  Engine speed between 500 and 4000 RPM
    •  Throttle angle less than 65 percent
    •  Vehicle speed less than 131 km/h (82 mph)

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The PCM in not able to correct for a rich condition in cylinder bank 1.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    •  The PCM will illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) during the second consecutive trip in which the diagnostic has been run and failed.
    • The PCM will store conditions which were present when the DTC set as Freeze Frame and Fail Records data.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    •  The PCM will turn the MIL OFF 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 Clear DTC Information function.

Diagnostic Aids

If the condition is intermittent, refer to Intermittent Conditions .

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. 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 freeze frame will also indicate how many miles ago the condition was present.

  2. If DTC P0175 is also set indicates both banks are operating rich. Inspect items that would cause both banks to operate rich.

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

  1. Operate the engine until the engine coolant temperature reaches 85°C (185°F) and the Loop Status indicates Closed.
  2. View the Long Term FT bank 1 and the Short Term FT bank 1 displays on the scan tool.

Is either value more negative than their specified value?

-98% LT

-95% ST

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Review and record the scan tool Freeze Frame data.
  2. Clear this DTC.
  3. Operate vehicle within the Freeze Frame conditions.
  4. Using the scan tool, monitor the Specific DTC Information for DTC P0172 until the test runs.

Does the scan tool indicate that DTC P0172 failed last test?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Diagnostic Aids

4

Is DTC P0175 also set?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 6

5

  1. Visually/physically inspect for the following items:
  2. • Collapsed air intake duct
    • Air filter element for being restricted
    • MAF sensor for being installed in the proper direction and for foreign objects blocking inlet screen
    • For fuel in pressure regulator vacuum hose
  3. If a condition is found, repair as necessary.

Did you find and correct a condition?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Fuel System Diagnosis

6

  1. Inspect the injectors for leaking (bank 1) or a fuel pressure regulator leaking fuel into the vacuum hose, refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
  2. If the condition is found, repair as necessary.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 7

7

Important: Inspect the sensor for contamination. If the sensor is contaminated, determine the cause of contamination before replacing the sensor. Inspect the following:

   • Fuel Contamination. Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis .
   • Engine oil or coolant consumption. Refer to Oil Consumption Diagnosis in Engine Mechanical and/or Loss of Coolant In Engine Cooling.
   • Use of improper RTV sealant

Replace the HO2S bank 1 sensor 1. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement - Bank 1 Sensor 1 .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 8

--

8

  1. Review and record the scan tool Freeze Frame data.
  2. Clear the DTCs.
  3. Operate the vehicle within the parameters listed in the Conditions for Running the DTC.
  4. Using the scan tool, monitor the Specific DTC Information for DTC P0172 until the test runs.

Does the scan tool indicate that DTC P0172 passed?

--

System OK

Go to Step 2