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Anonymous Posted on Aug 23, 2011

2004 Chevy Impala SS 3.8L Supercharged: I am getting OBD2 codes P0171 (System too Lean (Bank 1)) and P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)). I also found an oil leak today. I replaced the O2 senor about 3 months ago. Any ideas?

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  • Posted on Aug 23, 2011
Aobd2
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For p0171, try:
In the vast majority of cases, simply cleaning the MAF sensor does the trick. Consult your service manual for it's location if you need help. I find it's best to take it off and spray it with electronics cleaner or brake cleaner. Make sure you are careful not to damage the MAF sensor, and make sure it's dry before reinstalling
Inspect all vacuum and PCV hoses, replace if necessary
Check for a dirty fuel filter and proper fuel pressure
for p0420, try:

Check for exhaust leaks at the manifold, pipes, catalytic converter. Repair as required.

Use a scope to diagnose the oxygen sensor operation (Tip: The oxygen sensor in front of the catalytic converter normally has a fluctuating waveform. The waveform of the sensor behind the converter should be more steady).

Inspect the downstream heated oxygen sensor (HO2), replace if necessary

Replace the catalytic converter

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2006 Chevy Cobalt SS 2.0. Hi there, I have a question I am getting the code P0171.

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04 Saturn Vue 2.2 changed 02 sensor bank 1 sensor 2 now getting code PO420??

The diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0420 "Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold" is one possible outcome following the Catalytic Converter Monitor (test). This monitor is one of the last tests to be performed by the powertrain control module (PCM) because other failures in the system could compromise this test's result. Catalyst efficiency is tested by observing the oxygen sensor signals both before and after the catalyst. Before the catalyst, the signal should appear as a sine wave as it switches back and forth between rich (0.9 volts) and lean (0.1 volts). After the catalyst, the signal should be flat-lined on the rich side (about 0.7 volts). This is because a healthy catalyst will store oxygen and therefore remove the "lean" portion of the signal/waveform. If the signal after the catalyst still appears as a sine wave, the PCM concludes that the catalyst can no longer store oxygen and should therefore be replaced. In your specific scenario where a downstream (post-cat) O2 sensor was just replaced, I would theorize that this sensor had failed and was flat-lined. Then when it was replaced two things happened: 1.) the oxygen sensor began to work properly which allowed the oxygen sensor monitor (test) to complete, and 2.) the catalyst monitor then ran and used the new (accurate) sensor data to determine that the catalyst efficiency was below threshold. You can read more here: https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0420-obd-ii-trouble-code-catalyst-system-efficiency-below-threshold-bank-1-by-jamahl-walker
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06 Cadillac STS V8 car has codes P0174 and P0420.

• DTC P0171 Fuel Trim System Lean Bank 1
• DTC P0174 Fuel Trim System Lean Bank 2
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The engine control module (ECM) controls the air/fuel metering system in order to provide the best possible combination of driveability, fuel economy, and emission control. Fuel delivery is controlled differently during Open and Closed Loop. During Open Loop, the ECM determines fuel delivery based on sensor signals without oxygen sensor (O2S) input. During Closed Loop, the O2S inputs are added and used by the ECM to calculate short and long term fuel trim (FT) fuel delivery adjustments. If the O2S indicates a lean condition, FT values will be above 0 percent. If the O2S indicate a rich condition, FT values will be below 0 percent. Short term FT values change rapidly in response to the heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) voltage signals. Long term FT makes coarse adjustments in order to maintain an air/fuel ratio of 14.7:1. If the ECM detects an excessively lean condition, DTC P0171 or P0174 sets.
Diagnostic Aids
• Excessive resistance in the fuel injector ignition 1 voltage circuit or the fuel injector control circuit may cause the following symptoms:
- Lean condition
- Misfire
- Rough idle
• The system will go lean if an injector is not suppling enough fuel.
• A lean condition could be present during high fuel demand.
• A malfunctioning MAF sensor can cause this DTC to set. Refer to DTC P0101 .
• Review the Failure Records with a scan. If an intermittent condition is suspected, refer to Intermittent Conditions .

DTC Descriptors
This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTCs:
• DTC P0420 Catalyst System Low Efficiency Bank 1
• DTC P0430 Catalyst System Low Efficiency Bank 2

This code could mean the catalytic converter on that bank has failed .

Causes of lean condition trouble codes P0171 P0174 GM 5 3L

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Dakota p0171 p0174 taurus

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code p0174 refers to system to lean bank 2 --same causes including hose connection/s
code p0420 refers to catalytic converter system -bank 1 efficiency below threshold==causes catalytic converter--wiring--HO23. Check the cat converter is not cracked inside and the oxygen sensor is working.
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I've had a trouble code( P0420) code come up,

Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1). OK, now tell me that again in plain English please.... let's break it down: the catalyst system being referred to is your three-way catalytic converter; so the catalytic converter is not working properly (i.e. it's not efficient). Bank 1 refers to the side of the engine which contains cylinder #1. On inline engines such as 4 & 5 cylinder engines, there is only one bank. So, to really simply things let's just say that the efficiency of the catalytic converter and/or exhaust pipe and/or O2 sensor is not so great. Hope this helps.
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Engine light stays on, code is p0420 low thresh bank 1.... where is bank 1 located

I'm not sure you understand the difinition of OBD2 fault code P0420, it means that Catalytic converter in the exhaust that is connected to the engine cylinder bank that contains number one engine cylinder has fallen below the a allowed threshold of cleaning pollunts from the engines exhaust stream. I would be more specific but you have not given model or year of the Mercury you have.
Here is the full difinition of OBD2 fault code P0420 from the factory service information system.


P0420 - Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)


Possible causes - Three way catalyst converter worn out
- Intake air leaks
- Fuel injectors may be faulty
- Fuel injector leaks
- Spark plugs may be faulty
- Improper ignition timing
- Engine Control Module

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I am getting a P0420 code and a P0171 code on a 2000 Honda Passport 3.2 V6 What do I need to do to fix these? Car seems to drive fine and not in limp mode.

P0171 indicates a lean condition. The most common cause of this is a defective mass air flow sensor. Also check if any vacuum leaks.Replace MAf sensor,if cleaning the MAF does not help.

The code PO420 you have is Catalyst System efficiency is below threshold bank one. Usually replacing the O2 sensor that's the front most in the exhaust system will cure your problem,.



Thanks.

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