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.
codigo-p0163
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.
codigo-p0164
Código de avería P0165: This diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is a generic powertrain code, which means that it applies to all 1996-newer vehicles (Mitsubishi, Nissan, Volkswagen, Inifiniti, etc.). Although generic, the specific repair steps may vary depending on make/model. If your OBD-II equipped vehicle has a stored P0165 code, it means that the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected a slow response time from a downstream (or post catalytic converter) oxygen (O2) sensor or circuit. Bank 2 denotes the bank of the engine that does not contain the number one cylinder and Sensor 3 indicates that the malfunction is related to the downstream sensor in a system equipped with only three sensors (as opposed to a four-sensor system). O2 sensors are constructed using a zirconium dioxide sensing element which is protected by a vented steel housing. The sensing element is connected to wire leads in the O2 sensor wiring harness using platinum electrodes. The PCM is connected to the O2 sensor wiring harness using the controller area network (CAN). The PCM is supplied with data, pertaining to the percentage of oxygen particles in the engine exhaust as compared to the oxygen content of ambient air, by the O2 sensor. Exhaust gases are pushed into the exhaust pipe and through the catalytic converter; afterward, they pass over the downstream O2 sensor. As exhaust flows through vent holes (in the steel housing) and across the sensing element, ambient air is drawn through the wire lead cavities and into a small chamber in the middle of the sensor. The ambient air (in the chamber) is heated by the exhaust, forcing the oxygen ions to produce (energy) voltage. Deviations between the number of oxygen molecules in ambient air (drawn into the O2 sensor) and the concentration of oxygen ions in the spent exhaust gases cause the voltage to change. These changes cause the oxygen ions inside the O2 sensor to jump between platinum layers very rapidly and repetitiously. Voltage variations occur as the rushing oxygen ions jump between platinum layers. The PCM identifies these variations in voltage as changes in exhaust oxygen concentration. These changes indicate that the engine is either running lean (too little fuel) or rich (too much fuel). The voltage signal from the O2 sensor is low when more oxygen is present in the exhaust (lean condition) and high when less oxygen is present in the exhaust (rich condition). This data is used by the PCM primarily to monitor catalytic converter efficiency. If the downstream O2 sensor circuit fails to cycle as expected, over a set period of time and under certain programmed circumstances, a P0165 code will be stored and a malfunction indicator lamp may be illuminated.
codigo-p0165
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.
codigo-p0166
Código de avería P0167: 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. O2 (Oxygen) sensors contain a heating element that allows the sensor to reach operating temperature quickly. This lowers emissions since it allows the engine to reach closed loop faster and also allows the engine to stay in closed loop at idle. The heater circuit is supplied a 12 V battery feed from the PCM or ignition circuit (depending on model) and a ground. The PCM (powertrain control module) monitors how long it takes for the sensors to become active after engine start-up. If it takes too long for the o2 sensors to reach operating temperature, this P0167 can set. Bank 2 is the side of the engine that does not contain cylinder #1.
codigo-p0167
Código de avería P0169: This diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is a generic powertrain code, which means that it applies to OBD-II equipped vehicles (Dodge, Ram, Ford, GMC, Chevrolet, VW, Toyota, etc.). Although generic, the specific repair steps may vary depending on make/model. A stored code P0169, means that the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected a voltage signal from the fuel composition sensor/fuel temperature sensor that indicates an abnormally high level of contaminants or ethanol in the fuel supply. Since flex fuel vehicles can function normally even with high concentrations of ethanol, unacceptable levels of ethanol would likely exceed eighty-five-percent. The fuel composition sensor is usually integrated into a single housing with the fuel temperature sensor. Although it resembles a fuel filter, it is a small computerized device designed to provide the PCM with an accurate fuel composition and fuel temperature analysis. As fuel passes through the inline sensor, it is electronically analyzed to determine the degree of ethanol, water, and unknown contaminants (non-fuel) found therein. The fuel composition sensor not only analyzes fuel composition but also fuel temperature. The information is input to the PCM as an electrical signal that reflects not only what contaminants are present (and to what degree the fuel has been contaminated) but also the temperature of the fuel. Fuel contamination is analyzed, according to the ratio of contaminants to fuel. This generates a voltage signature in the fuel composition/temperature sensor which is input to the PCM as square waveforms of voltage. Waveform patterns vary in frequency contingent to the degree of contamination found in the fuel. The closer the waveform frequency, the greater the degree of fuel contamination; this constitutes the vertical portion of the waveform. The fuel composition sensor analyzes the amount of ethanol present in fuel independently of other contaminants. If the PCM detects an input signal from the fuel composition sensor that indicates that fuel contamination exceeds a programmed limit, a P0169 code will be stored and a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) may be illuminated. Multiple ignition cycles (with a failure) may be required for MIL illumination on some vehicles.
codigo-p0169
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.
codigo-p0170
Código de avería P0171: This diagnostic trouble code (DTC) 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. So this engine code article applies to Toyota, Chevrolet, Ford, Nissan, Honda, GMC, Dodge, etc. Basically this means that an oxygen sensor in bank 1 has detected a lean condition (too much oxygen in the exhaust). On V6/V8/V10 engines, Bank 1 is the side of the engine that has cylinder #1. The P0171 is one of the more common trouble codes.
codigo-p0171
Código de avería P0172: 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. Basically this means that an oxygen sensor in bank 1 detected a rich condition (too little oxygen in the exhaust). On V6/V8/V10 engines, Bank 1 is the side of the engine that has cylinder #1. Note: This DTC is very similar to P0175, and in fact your vehicle may show both codes at the same time.
codigo-p0172
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.
codigo-p0173