glterpening
Full Member
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2009
- Messages
- 246
- Reaction score
- 10
- Points
- 18
- Location
- KY
- Buick Ownership
- 2002 LeSabre
Had recent trouble with check engine light code P0171. Problem appears solved. Maybe this will help someone.
P0171 indicates a lean fuel condition. Checked for air leaks and vacuum hose problems. No problems found. Put in a new air cleaner, reset the code, it came back in a few days.
Read that one of the things that can cause this is the MAF (mass air flow) sensor being dirty. This is located between the air cleaner and the engine on the top of the housing. It is held in place by a small plate (2") with two screws. The screws are torx with a pin requiring a special tool. On mine, one pin was short allowing a regular torx screwdriver to work; the other I was able to turn 1/4 turn with pliers and then it was only finger tight. (I later put the screws in a vice and using a small drift punch knocked the pins down so a regular torx screwdriver worked OK.)
With the sensor out, it was plain to see it was dirty at the base of the small "pins". They were fuzzy looking. Used brake/carb cleaner and it cleaned right up. Re-installed...no more light in over a week.
P0171 indicates a lean fuel condition. Checked for air leaks and vacuum hose problems. No problems found. Put in a new air cleaner, reset the code, it came back in a few days.
Read that one of the things that can cause this is the MAF (mass air flow) sensor being dirty. This is located between the air cleaner and the engine on the top of the housing. It is held in place by a small plate (2") with two screws. The screws are torx with a pin requiring a special tool. On mine, one pin was short allowing a regular torx screwdriver to work; the other I was able to turn 1/4 turn with pliers and then it was only finger tight. (I later put the screws in a vice and using a small drift punch knocked the pins down so a regular torx screwdriver worked OK.)
With the sensor out, it was plain to see it was dirty at the base of the small "pins". They were fuzzy looking. Used brake/carb cleaner and it cleaned right up. Re-installed...no more light in over a week.
