Código de avería P0164: This code is a generic powertrain code. It is considered generic because it applies to all makes and models of vehicles (1996-newer), although specific repair steps may be slightly different depending on the model. The catalytic converter is used to lower harmful emissions. To ensure proper operation, there is an O2 (oxygen) sensor located behind the catalyst that monitors the oxygen content of the exhaust after the cat. The PCM (Powertrain Control Module) then compares the post-cat reading to the pre-cat readings to determine if the catalyst is working properly. A P0164 refers to a fault at the post-cat O2 sensor, indicating that the signal voltage is too high. The O2 sensor is a four wire sensor. Two wires are dedicated to the heating element and two wires are dedicated to the sensor. The heating element should have battery voltage on one wire with key on engine off and ground should be present on the other. The PCM supplies a reference voltage to the O2 sensor which the sensor varies according to oxygen content in the exhaust. It is capable of varying between approximately 0.1 and 0.9 volts. This variance in the voltage is monitored by the PCM. The PCM also supplies a ground to the sensor. P0164 means that the voltage was too high on the signal circuit. Bank 2 is the side of the engine that doesn’t contain cylinder #1.
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Código de avería P0176: This generic powertrain diagnostic trouble code (DTC) typically applies to all OBD-II equipped vehicles including but not limited to Ford, BMW, Chevy, Pontiac, Mazda, VW, Honda, Scion, Land Rover, etc. There are four trouble codes commonly associated with fuel composition sensor circuit malfunctions. This circuit is also referred to as the as the flex fuel sensor circuit and the OBDII codes that are triggered by the Engine Control Module (ECM) when this circuit malfunctions are P0176, P0177, P0178 and P0179. The fuel composition sensor circuit monitors the amount of ethanol in the gasoline on a flex fuel engine. The amount of ethanol can very every time you fill up the tank requiring appropriate adjustments for optimal performance and fuel economy. The fuel composition sensor circuit sends a signal to the ECM based on the ethanol level. The ECM adjusts the ignition timing and fuel injector pulse width accordingly to burn the fuel more efficiently. The end result is improved performance, reduced pollution and increased fuel economy. Code P0176 is set when the ECM detects any malfunction within the fuel composition sensor circuit. Trouble code P0176 is triggered by the ECM when it receives a signal that is abnormal or out of range. This code identifies various malfunctions within the circuit and the issue may be physical, mechanical or electrical. In most circumstances the presence of a P0178 or P0179 is a very good indication that the problem is electrical in nature.
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Código de avería P0170: This diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is a generic powertrain code, which means that it applies to OBD-II equipped vehicles. Although generic, the specific repair steps may vary depending on make/model. 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 P0170 surface along with misfire codes or other fuel trim codes. P0170 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 P0170, indicating a problem or malfunction in the fuel trims. It may also have a P0173 referring to the same malfunction but on bank two.
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Código de avería P0162: This diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is a generic powertrain code, which means that it applies to OBD-II equipped vehicles. Although generic, the specific repair steps may vary depending on make/model. The O2 (oxygen) sensors measure oxygen content in the exhaust, whether rich or lean. The PCM (powertrain control module) then uses this information to regulate fuel injector pulse in order to keep the proper air:fuel ratio. The O2 sensors are very important for the proper operation of the engine. Fouled or faulty O2 sensors can cause the PCM to add or take away fuel based on the faulty O2 sensor data which can cause a false lean or rich condition. A P0162 code refers to the Bank 2,3 O2 sensor, or the third sensor downstream (post-cat) on Bank 2. It is a four wire sensor. The PCM supplies a ground circuit and a reference voltage circuit of about 0.5 volts or half a volt. Also for the O2 sensor heater element there is a battery voltage supply wire (usually from the power distribution center) and another ground circuit for that. The O2 sensor heater allows the O2 sensor to warm up faster, thus achieving closed loop in less time than it would normally take for the exhaust to warm the sensor up to operating temperature. This creates less exhaust emissions at cold startup. The O2 sensor varies the supplied reference voltage based on oxygen content in the exhaust. It is capable of varying from about 0.1 to 0.9 volts, 0.1 V indicating lean exhaust and 0.9 V indicating rich exhaust. This P0162 code indicates that the Bank 2, 3 O2 sensor is stuck low for too long or is inactive.
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Código de avería P0163: This diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is a generic powertrain code, which means that it applies to OBD-II equipped vehicles. Although generic, the specific repair steps may vary depending on make/model. This code refers to a fault in one of the post-catalyst O2 sensors on Bank 2. This oxygen sensor is used for a specific purpose. This is it in a nutshell: The Catalytic Converter is used to help control emissions, to "clean up" the exhaust gasses. The PCM (Powertrain Control Module) uses the signal from post catalyst heated oxygen sensors to monitor the catalyst’s efficiency by comparing it to the O2 sensors in front of the catalyst. If the PCM sees little or no difference between the exhaust quality in post- and pre- catalyst sensors then it knows that the catalyst is not working properly. To over simplify: a post-cat sensor’s main job is to monitor catalyst efficiency, not control fuel management. If you have a P0163, that doesn’t mean your catalyst is bad (in fact, it usually never does). This code basically means that the Bank 2, Sensor 3 (or third o2 sensor back on bank 2) signal voltage is below what is considered normal for that sensor. It’s a four wire sensor being supplied a 0.5 volt reference voltage on the signal wire and a ground, as well as a power and ground circuit for the o2 sensor heater element. Changes in oxygen content cause resistance changes inside the sensor. This changing resistance affects the 0.5 volts on the signal/reference circuit. A heated o2 sensor is capable of switching between 0.1 volts and 0.9 volts with 0.1 volts indicating lean and 0.9 volts indicating rich. However, a properly working post-catalyst sensor will exhibit small changes at a slower rate than front (pre-catalyst) O2 sensors. It may switch slightly above and below 0.45 volts at the rate of about 1 switch per second or less. The PCM monitors this signal change to determine if the catalyst is working properly. If the PCM determines that the Bank 2,3 O2 sensor signal voltage is below a certain threshold for too long, P0163 will set.
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Código de avería P0174: This diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is a generic powertrain code, which means that it applies to OBD-II equipped vehicles. Brands of vehicles affected include but are not limited to Ford, Lexus, Chevy, BMW, Toyota, Jaguar, Acura, Volvo, Nissan, etc. Although generic, the specific repair steps may vary depending on make/model/engine. Anecdotally this code seems more common in Ford & Chevy vehicles. Every vehicle has a PCM or ECM (powertrain / engine control module). It’s basically the "brain" or main computer of the vehicle, it’s job is to monitor a variety of sensor readings and use that information to run the engine in the most efficient operation given the current conditions.
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Código de avería P0177: This is a generic powertrain diagnostic trouble code (DTC) applicable to all OBD-II compatible vehicles. Specific repair steps can vary from make/model. This trouble code that is specific to flex fuel vehicles. The fuel composition sensor is also known as a flex fuel sensor (FFS) and measures the percentage of ethanol present in the fuel being supplied to the engine. The powertrain control module (PCM) uses FFS information to calculate the correct air/fuel mixture and ignition timing for the best possible performance and fuel economy under all operating conditions. The FFS produces a frequency (hz) signal that is a direct reflection of the percentage of methanol in the fuel. The higher the percentage of methanol, the higher the frequency. If the PCM receives signals from the FFS that are not within a specific range it will illuminate the check engine light and set DTC P0177. Related fuel composition sensor circuit trouble codes include: P0176 Fuel Composition Sensor Circuit Malfunction P0178 Fuel Composition Sensor Circuit Low Input P0179 Fuel Composition Sensor Circuit High Input
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Código de avería P0166: This code is a generic powertrain code. It is considered generic because it applies to all makes and models of vehicles (1996-newer), although specific repair steps may be slightly different depending on the model. The catalytic converter is used to control emissions. The O2 (oxygen) sensor on bank 2, position 3 is aft of the converter and monitors the catalyst efficiency. The PCM (Powertrain Control Module) does this by comparing the post-cat o2 sensor to the pre-cat o2 sensors. The o2 sensor is a four wire sensor. The PCM supplies a reference to the sensor of about half a volt and also supplies a sensor ground and 12 volts for the heater element. The fourth wire is a ground for the heater element (the heater in the sensor helps the sensor to warm up faster which allows the engine to reach closed loop sooner). The sensor varies the supplied reference voltage based on oxygen content of the exhaust. Oxygen sensors are capable of varying between 0.1 volts to 0.9 volts. Lean exhaust produces low voltage and causes the supplied 0.45 volts to drop. Rich exhaust produces high voltage and causes the supplied 0.45 voltage to increase. Pre-catalyst o2 sensors switch between low and high voltage rapidly. However a post-cat o2 sensor may switch much slower & not vary as much (this is normal). If the sensor doesn’t respond as it should or there are too few switches in a given time period, P0166 may set. Bank 2 is the side of the engine that does not contain cylinder #1.
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Código de avería P015C: This diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is a generic powertrain code, which means that it applies to OBD-II equipped vehicles (GMC, Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, Chrysler, VW, Toyota, Honda, etc.). Although generic, the specific repair steps may vary depending on make/model. When an OBD-II equipped vehicle has a stored P015C code, it means that the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected a delayed response time from the upstream (first one after the exhaust leaves the engine, in front of catalytic converter) oxygen (O2) sensor or circuit for engine bank two. Bank 2 specifies the bank of the engine which does not contain the #1 cylinder. Automotive O2 / oxygen sensors are constructed using a zirconium dioxide sensing element which is protected by a specially designed, vented, steel housing. Platinum electrodes are used to attach the sensing element to wire leads in the O2 sensor wiring harness which is connected to the PCM through the controller area network (CAN). The PCM is supplied with an electrical signal according to the percentage of oxygen particles in the engine exhaust compared to the oxygen content of ambient air. Exhaust gases are pushed into the exhaust manifold(s) and down pipe(s) where they flow over/through the upstream O2 sensor. Exhaust flows through the O2 sensor vent holes (in the steel housing) and across the sensing element and ambient air is drawn through the wire lead cavities where it is trapped in a small chamber in the center of the sensor. The trapped ambient air (in the chamber) is heated by the exhaust, forcing the oxygen ions to produce (energy) voltage. Deviations between the concentration of oxygen molecules in ambient air (drawn into the center cavity of the O2 sensor) and the concentration of oxygen ions in the spent exhaust gases, cause the heated oxygen ions inside the O2 sensor to jump between platinum layers very rapidly and repetitiously. Fluctuations in voltage occur as the rushing oxygen ions jump between the layers of the platinum electrodes. These variations in voltage are identified by the PCM as changes in exhaust oxygen concentration which indicate that the engine is either running lean (too little fuel) or rich (too much fuel). When more oxygen is present in the exhaust (lean condition), the voltage signal from the O2 sensor is low and is higher when less oxygen is present in the exhaust (rich condition). This data is used by the PCM primarily to calculate fuel delivery and ignition timing strategy but also to monitor catalytic converter efficiency. If the O2 sensor in question fails to cycle as rapidly and/or regularly as expected, over a set period of time and under certain predetermined circumstances, a P015C code will be stored and a malfunction indicator lamp may be illuminated. Other oxygen sensor delayed response trouble codes include: P013E O2 Sensor Delayed Response – Rich to Lean (Bank 1 Sensor 2) P013F O2 Sensor Delayed Response – Lean to Rich (Bank 1 Sensor 2) P014A O2 Sensor Delayed Response – Rich to Lean (Bank 2 Sensor 2) P014B O2 Sensor Delayed Response – Lean to Rich (Bank 2 Sensor 2) P015A O2 Sensor Delayed Response – Rich to Lean (Bank 1 Sensor 1) P015B O2 Sensor Delayed Response – Lean to Rich (Bank 1 Sensor 1) P015D O2 Sensor Delayed Response – Lean to Rich (Bank 2 Sensor 1)
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Código de avería P0173: This diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is a generic powertrain code, which means that it applies to OBD-II equipped vehicles. Although generic, the specific repair steps may vary depending on make/model. 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 surface along with misfire codes or other fuel trim codes. P0173 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, indicating a problem or malfunction in the fuel trims. It may also have a P0170 referring to the same malfunction but on bank one.
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