What is the P0170 fault code for an engine? What is the P0170 “Rank1 Fuel Trim Malfunction” error code. The symptoms and diagnostic methods for P0170 engine error code …..
“Rank 1 Fuel trim malfunction” is the P0170 error code. The PCM detected a fuel trim that is not within the specified range by the vehicle manufacturer. This code is typically generated by the PCM if the fuel injection system fails to function properly or the compensation for an excessive air-fuel mixture ratio. This code can be rich or lean.
The PCM takes the signal from the oxygen sensors to adjust the fuel level. Fuel trim is the PCM’s method of adjusting fuel. If the PCM receives a signal that fuel is required to be reduced, it will perform a negative fuel trim. The PCM will perform positive fuel trim if the oxygen sensors require a fuel boost.
What is the P0170 Fault Code?
- – This is what causes the engine to run badly. It could be a faulty or blocked fuel filter, faulty fuel pressure regulator, or a faulty fuel pump.
- – This causes the engine to run very rich; any condition like a Mass Air Flow Sensor or Absolute Pressure Sensor or a faulty fuel regulator.
- – PCM with software or faulty problems
What are the symptoms of code P0170?
This code can cause symptoms that vary depending on what vehicle you have and the other conditions. Some symptoms you might experience are:
- – Excess fuel consumption
- – Engine power loss
- – Illumination and operation of the engine fault lamps
- – Catalytic converter damage (if the code has been lit too long).
- – Exhaust fumes emitting black smoke
- – Under load or at idle misfire
- – Hesitation when sudden accelerations occur
- – Sometimes, the vehicle may start hard but stop immediately after it has started.
- – Mercedes-Benz and Audi vehicles have more obvious malfunction symptoms than their counterparts BMW, Audi, and Volkswagen.
P0170 Diagnostics
Before diagnosing the fault, you should check with the OBD-II scanner if there are any other codes. If there are other codes, it is important to identify and fix them. Other fault codes may also trigger P0170. Once other fault codes have been resolved, the engine fault lamp should be turned off. The PCM must then be reset before the engine can be started. If the code P0170 returns, it is likely that another problem exists. If the PCM is not found to be defective after all tests and checks, it is likely that it isn’t.
The Mass Air Flow Sensor is one of the main causes of this code. It is a mistake to replace the sensor without performing any tests and checks.
Possible causes include fuel pressure regulator failures, vacuum leaks, leaks within turbo charge hoses, faulty O2 sensors (adaptation may be necessary for Mercedes vehicles), and oil contamination at the MAF connector. Also, check the crank, cam, oil sensor, ignition coils and crank sensors. It is important to replace damaged, shorted or corroded connectors and wiring. You should also replace any serious exhaust leaks that could contaminate the oxygen sensor’s reference air.
How important is the P0170 Code?
P0170 code is important because it lights up with other codes. This code does not display any symptoms. This code can be combined with other conditions to cause driving problems. It can cause severe engine damage if it remains in the PCM for too long without interfering with this particular code. If it has not been associated with any other fault codes, you can skip this step for a brief time.
You must eliminate all possible causes of code P0170. The only way to fix code P0170 is to replace your PCM if you’re certain you did everything correctly.
