Description
OBD-II Trouble Code Description for P0173 Chevrolet
Fuel Trim
What does this mean?
OBD2 Code P0173 Chevrolet definition:
This code is one that surfaces with certain makes of automobiles more than others. In writing this article I’ve added Mercedes-Benz-specific info since it seems that M-B (and VW) are most prone to having this P0173 Chevrolet surface along with misfire codes or other fuel trim codes. P0173 Chevrolet means there was a malfunction in the computer’s control of the air:fuel ratio. It also indicates that the fuel trims reached their limit of adding fuel while trying to compensate for a actual or perceived rich condition. When the fuel trims reach their rich correction limit, the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) sets a P0173 Chevrolet, indicating a problem or malfunction in the fuel trims. It may also have a P0170 Chevrolet referring to the same malfunction but on bank one.
Symptoms
Possible sumptoms of OBD code P0173 Chevrolet
MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) Illumination Start and stall Poor fuel economy Black smoke at tailpipe Hesitation/misfire at idle or under load
Causes
Possible causes of OBD code P0173 Chevrolet
Potential causes include a vacuum leak, unmetered air leaks Fuel saturated engine oil Leak in turbo air charge hoses (if equipped) Possibly bad O2 sensor (If Mercedes, may require adaptation with M-Benz compatible scan tool.) Oil contamination in MAF connector or O2 sensor connectors. Also check ignition coils, cam and crank sensors, and oil sensor for leakage contributing to oil intrusion in wiring harness. Defective MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor (especially on Mercedez-Benz and other European autos. There are a lot of problems with aftermarket MAF sensors.) Defective fuel pressure regulator Leaking camshaft adjuster solenoids (Mercedes-Benz). NOTE: for some Mercedes-Benz models there is a service recall for a crankcase vent hose located under the intake manifold. It should be checked for leaks/cracking and also operation of check valve in the hose. The check valve should flow only one way.
Possible Solutions
It should be stated right off the bat that the most common problem associated with this code is the MAF sensor or air mass meter. This is especially the case with Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen and other European cars. At time of writing, you don’t normally see this code with American-made cars, and minimally with Asian, and, to be honest, I have no idea why. It appears to me that the PCM (powertrain control module) logic used by some European car manufacturers to set a P0173 Chevrolet (or P0173 Chevrolet) fault code simply isn’t used by American vehicle manufacturers. It is more common to see P0171 Chevrolet, 0174, 0172, 0175 codes set with regard to fuel trim malfunctions on American cars. There is very little information on the setting conditions for a P0173 Chevrolet, or P0173 Chevrolet, but what information that is available almost seems to be a redundancy of the P0171 Chevrolet,4,2 & 5 setting conditions. I’m sure there’s a reason for it, but I can’t get anyone to tell me what that is. The similarities between them may be why we don’t see this code surface on domestic vehicles very often. It’s simply unnecessary. So, simply put, if you have a P0173 Chevrolet, your PCM noticed that the fuel trims reached their rich correction limit. Basically it’s adding fuel to try to compensate for a lean condition, real or perceived. If you have this code and access to a scan tool, observe the MAF sensor reading in grams/sec. The reading will be different for different automobiles, so get a good spec. I’m going to stick with what would be normal for a Mercedes (1.8L), since they have the bulk of the trouble. Expect to see at idle 3.5-5 g/s (ideally). At 2500 RPMs with no load it should be between 9 and 12 g/s. On road test, at WOT (wide open throttle) it should be 90 g/s or well above. If it’s not in specs, replace it. Be careful of Ebay MAFs. Often they don’t work according to OE specifications. If the MAF checks out and there is no oil intrusion at the connector, check fuel pressure and ensure that there are no leaks at the regulator internally or externally. Check all vacuum hoses and confirm none are cracked, disconnected or missing. Make sure there are no vacuum leaks at the intake manifold gaskets or tears in the air supply hose. If the engine is turbo charged, be sure the hoses are in good condition and have no leaks. Leaking turbo pressure hoses could cause a rich condition. Inspect the condition of crankcase vent hose under intake manifold and operation of check valve in the hose. (In the “What are the causes?” section) If there doesn’t appear to be any problems with the fuel pressure, MAF or vacuum hoses, then inspect the O2 sensor connectors for oil intrusion. A bad O2 sensor could cause a P0170 Chevrolet, or P0173 Chevrolet. Repair cause of oil leak and replace oil-fouled O2 sensor. Article written by Dale Toalston
The OBD2 Code Information Be Applicable For Chevrolet
2013 Chevrolet Traverse2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer2013 Chevrolet Spark2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS2013 Chevrolet Onix2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO2013 Chevrolet Malibu2013 Chevrolet Cruze Station Wagon2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible2013 Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Edition2013 Chevrolet Camaro 1LE2012 Chevrolet Tru 140S Concept2012 Chevrolet Sonic Sedan2012 Chevrolet Sonic2012 Chevrolet Silverado2012 Chevrolet Orlando2012 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback2012 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Centennial Edition2012 Chevrolet Corvette Daytona Racecar2012 Chevrolet Colorado2012 Chevrolet Code 130R Concept2012 Chevrolet Captiva2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL12012 Chevrolet Camaro EU Version2012 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible EU Version2012 Chevrolet Camaro COPO Convertible2012 Chevrolet Camaro COPO2012 Chevrolet Camaro 67 Hot Wheels Concept2012 Chevrolet Camaro 45th Anniversary Edition2012 Chevrolet Aveo Sedan2011 Chevrolet Volt2011 Chevrolet TrailBlazer Concept2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD2011 Chevrolet Sail2011 Chevrolet Miray Concept2011 Chevrolet Cruze2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition2011 Chevrolet Colorado Rally Concept2011 Chevrolet Colorado Concept2011 Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible Indy 500 Pace Car2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Neiman Marcus2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible2011 Chevrolet Aveo2010 Chevrolet Volt MPV5 Concept2010 Chevrolet Spark2010 Chevrolet Equinox2010 Chevrolet Corvette Z06X Concept2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport2010 Chevrolet Camaro Transformers2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Indy 500 Pace Car2010 Chevrolet Camaro SSX Concept2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS2010 Chevrolet Camaro Red Flash Concept2010 Chevrolet Camaro2010 Chevrolet Aveo RS Concept2010 Chevrolet Agile2009 Chevrolet Traverse2009 Chevrolet Stingray Concept2009 Chevrolet Cruze WTCC2009 Chevrolet Cruze2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR12009 Chevrolet Corvette GT12009 Chevrolet Aveo52008 Chevrolet Orlando Concept2008 Chevrolet Matiz2008 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ2008 Chevrolet Malibu LT2008 Chevrolet Lumina SS2008 Chevrolet HHR SS2008 Chevrolet GPiX Concept2008 Chevrolet Equinox Sport2008 Chevrolet Corvette2008 Chevrolet Captiva Sport2008 Chevrolet Camaro LS7 Concept2008 Chevrolet Camaro GS Racecar Concept2008 Chevrolet Camaro Black Concept2008 Chevrolet Aveo2007 Chevrolet Volt Concept2007 Chevrolet Trax Concept2007 Chevrolet Tahoe2007 Chevrolet Suburban LTZ2007 Chevrolet Silverado Regular Cab2007 Chevrolet Silverado Extended Cab2007 Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab2007 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD LTZ Crew Cab2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD LTZ Extended Cab2007 Chevrolet Jay Lenos Corvette C6RS E852007 Chevrolet HHR Panel2007 Chevrolet Groove Concept2007 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Concept2007 Chevrolet Beat Concept2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LTZ2007 Chevrolet 34 Coupe E85 Concept2006 Chevrolet WTCC Ultra Concept2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS2006 Chevrolet Silverado Z71 Extended Cab2006 Chevrolet Silverado Intimidator SS2006 Chevrolet Silverado Hydrogen Military Vehicle2006 Chevrolet Sequel Concept2006 Chevrolet Nubira Station Wagon WTCC R2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS2006 Chevrolet Malibu SS2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS2006 Chevrolet Kodiak C45002006 Chevrolet Impala SS2006 Chevrolet Impala2006 Chevrolet HHR LT2006 Chevrolet Epica2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Daytona 500 Pace Car2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z062006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS2006 Chevrolet Cobalt LT2006 Chevrolet Celta2006 Chevrolet Captiva2006 Chevrolet Camaro Concept2006 Chevrolet Aveo Sedan2005 Chevrolet West Coast Customs HHR2005 Chevrolet Uplander2005 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid2005 Chevrolet Kodiak2005 Chevrolet Equinox2005 Chevrolet Corvette C6R Race Car2005 Chevrolet Corvette C62005 Chevrolet Corvette2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Sedan2005 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged Coupe2005 Chevrolet Cobalt SS2005 Chevrolet Cobalt2005 Chevrolet Cavalier Xtreme2005 Chevrolet Astra GSi 2.0 16V2005 Chevrolet Astra 2.0 Flexpower Elite2005 Chevrolet Astra 2.0 Flexpower Elegance2005 Chevrolet Astra 2.0 Flexpower Comfort2004 Chevrolet Tracker Turbo2004 Chevrolet Silverado2004 Chevrolet SOCAL SSR Bonneville Salt Flats2004 Chevrolet S3X Concept2004 Chevrolet Nomad Concept2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS2004 Chevrolet Matiz M3X Concept2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx2004 Chevrolet Malibu2004 Chevrolet Lumina SS2004 Chevrolet Impala SS2004 Chevrolet Express2004 Chevrolet Electric S-10 Concept2004 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Commemorative Edition2004 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab2004 Chevrolet Colorado LS Z71 Extended Cab2004 Chevrolet Colorado LS Z71 Crew Cab2004 Chevrolet Colorado LS Regular Cab2004 Chevrolet Colorado LS Extended Cab2004 Chevrolet Colorado LS Crew Cab2004 Chevrolet Colorado Extended Cab2004 Chevrolet Colorado Cruz2004 Chevrolet Cheyenne Concept2004 Chevrolet Aveo LS 5 Door2004 Chevrolet Aveo LS 4 Door
Note:
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