Opel Corsa error codes: decoding and diagnostics

What does code P0170 mean?

OBD II error code P0170 is defined as “Fuel trim fault (block 1).” It is installed in two cases:

1. when the engine control unit (ECU) has difficulty managing/maintaining an ideal air-fuel mixture;
2. when the ECU receives such a request from the oxygen sensor (OS) to adjust the fuel, which exceeds the controller's ability to adjust the fuel in accordance with the required level of adjustment for a certain period of time.

Bank 1 refers to the cylinder block that contains cylinder #1.

Air-fuel mixture (FA) control is an action taken by the ECU to maintain an ideal fuel mixture during normal engine operation.

As engine speed/load changes, the rear oxygen sensor (No. 2) continuously requests changes to the air/fuel mixture to maintain maximum engine efficiency. Fuel trim requests can be either negative or positive.

A negative trim is an adjustment to make the air-fuel mixture leaner, and a positive trim is an adjustment to make the fuel assembly richer.

Trouble P0170 refers to a condition in which long-term fuel trim requests cannot be satisfied. This means that the requested value exceeds the ECU's ability to regulate fuel by more than 25%. The code will be saved and the CHECK ENGINE indicator will light up.

A difference of less than 25% is called a short-term fuel trim request and is much less important for efficient engine operation. This way, these requests are much less likely to cause an error code to be stored.

It is worth noting that the P0170 code is rarely found on American or Japanese-made vehicles. The cars that suffer the most from this error are of European origin, particularly BMW, Audi, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz, which are famous for their high oil consumption. On these cars, the root cause of the P0170 code can almost always be found in the mass air flow sensor.

The image below shows how pulse width, which is the amount of time (in milliseconds) an injector remains open to inject fuel, is adapted to compensate for a lean or rich mixture.

The injector pulse width increases to the right (red) to inject more fuel and decreases to the left (yellow) to inject less fuel. The information on which this adaptation is carried out is taken from the post-catalytic oxygen sensor (No. 2).

Symptoms of error P0170

Symptoms of P0170 on used vehicles can vary greatly. Please note that not all symptoms will be present in all cases. Also keep in mind that the severity of one or more symptoms may vary from vehicle to vehicle.

• In some cases, there may be no symptoms other than a stored trouble code and check engine light.
• Increased fuel consumption, which can range from slight and barely noticeable to significant.
• In some cases, starting up may be difficult.
• Possible misfires, rough idling and poor acceleration on Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW and VW models.
• In extreme cases, black smoke may come from the muffler.
• The car jerks when accelerating.
• In some cases, the engine may stall immediately after starting.

Almost all of the above symptoms can lead to possible engine and/or catalytic converter damage if the problem is not corrected.

New body

Perhaps someone will think that the Renault Duster 2021 is an updated predecessor. No, video test drives easily prove that not only the outer panels are new, but the entire body in general. Although the style is certainly preserved. That was the idea.

Start of sales in Russia and competitors

Sales start of Renault Duster 2021 is expected to actually appear next year. When specifically - a dark forest. The representative office is still silent on this topic. Although, who knows, maybe it will be limited to a modest restyling, like the Creta.

Among the rivals:

• just the same Hyundai Creta. Now it costs from 972,000 rubles. The “base” also does not have air conditioning, just like the Duster;
• Chevrolet Niva, on the contrary, is noticeably cheaper – from 686,000.

Read also: Renault Duster 2020

More car news:

The latest auto news: Yandex.Zen.news-avto.com

Conclusion

The current Renault Duster has firmly occupied its niche. This is a typical villager who is not afraid of any work. Yes, it does not have crazy cross-country ability. But it is simple in design and the price is low.

In 2021, a completely new model is finally expected, photos of which (albeit for other markets) are already showing off on the Internet. Will the heir turn into a dude and a city dude? It seems not, otherwise it will compete with Captur and Arcana. But the price, of course, will rise. Details will be available when it is released in Russia.

Video review of Renault Duster 2021

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Causes of error P0170

The most common cause of the P0170 code on European cars is related to the mass air flow sensor (MAF) due to excess oil in the intake tract. Other possible causes may include the following, but note that not all of these will necessarily be present.

• Oil contamination of the MAF sensor element. In these cases, the root cause of the oil contamination must be addressed before attempting to diagnose P0170.
• Oil contamination of oxygen sensors.
• Use of fuel and oil additives containing silicone-based compounds. The combustion of these compounds forms deposits on the oxygen sensors, which prevents them from operating efficiently.
• The manifold absolute pressure sensor is faulty.
• Low quality MAF on the secondary market.
• Faulty oxygen sensors.
• Burnout, short circuit, damage or corrosion of wiring and connectors.
• An air leak that allows unaccounted air to enter the engine.
• Serious exhaust gas leaks that can distort the oxygen sensors' reference air.
• High fuel pressure caused by a faulty fuel pressure regulator.
• Low fuel pressure caused by blockages in the fuel system or a faulty fuel pressure regulator and pump.
• Uncorrected error codes for crankshaft and camshaft position sensors. These errors must be resolved before diagnosing the P0170 code.
• The catalytic converter is clogged or damaged.
• ECU failure. Please note that this is a rare case. The fault should be looked for elsewhere before replacing any controller.

What errors can you find on the Opel panel?

First of all, let's figure out how to display the necessary numbers on the display.

For cars with a manual (and robotic) transmission, the following is relevant:

• Depress the gas and brake pedals at the same time;
• After a few seconds, insert the key and turn on the ignition without starting the car or releasing the pedal;

In the case of an automatic transmission, we do this:

• Turn on the ignition;
• Press the brake pedal using medium force and hold it there;
• Set the gearbox selector to “Drive”;
• Turn the key to turn off the ignition and release the pedal;
• Press both pedals simultaneously without changing the pressing force;
• Turn on the ignition.

After this, a numerical value will appear on the panel - the Opel error number, relevant for Astra H and G, Omega, Zafira, Vectra, Frontera and a little more than half a dozen other models.

The numbers will tell you about the breakdown:

• General nature;
• Crankshaft and camshaft controllers;
• Lambda probes;
• Engine and ABS sensors;
• Electricians;
• Engine.

There are more than a thousand different errors that an Opel panel can tell you about and, of course, it is not possible to remember them all. Therefore, it will be enough to understand the designation of each number; based on this, it will not be difficult to create an overall picture.

How to resolve error code P0170?

Code P0170 rarely occurs without other fuel system related errors. Due to the number of possible causes of P0170, it is recommended that all other codes be diagnosed and corrected before attempting to resolve P0170. This is necessary to avoid misdiagnosis.

Diagnosing the P0170 code requires that the engine be in perfect operating condition. So that there are no misfires, fuel pressure, vacuum system or errors and problems with air / fuel metering. Many of these codes are caused by problems that directly affect fuel combustion, which can result in a P0170 code.

To diagnose the P0170 code, in addition to a suitable OBD2 scanner, you will need a repair manual, a good quality digital multimeter and a special pressure gauge. It is also recommended to recheck the system after each step in the repair process.

Step 1

Write down all available codes, as well as all available freeze frame data. This information may be useful if an intermittent fault is later diagnosed.

If the car is of European manufacture, you can save a lot of time by starting the diagnostic procedure, inspecting and cleaning the sensing element of the mass air flow sensor with a suitable solvent.

High oil consumption can cause an oil film to form on the measuring element, resulting in inaccurate readings, and in many cases simply cleaning the element will correct this error.

Step 2

Check the operation of the mass air flow sensor with an OBD2 scanner. The MAF sensor signal voltage should increase smoothly to approximately 5 volts as engine speed increases with the throttle wide open and decrease smoothly to approximately 0.1 volt as engine speed decreases.

Please note that the throttle should NEVER be opened fully while the engine is running, as over-turning can cause serious engine damage.

If the code persists after cleaning the air flow sensor, carefully inspect all associated wiring. Refer to your repair manual to determine the location, color coding, assignment, and routing of all wires in the circuit. Look for damaged, burnt, broken, shorted or corroded wiring and connectors. Repair as necessary.

If all electrical measurements are within manufacturer specifications, replace the MAF with an original part and retest the system to ensure that the MAF and its control circuitry are operating within specifications.

Please note that aftermarket air flow sensors are the primary cause of P0170 and many other related codes. Therefore, if possible, avoid using non-original spare parts.

Step 3

Find your vehicle's repair manual and check the post-catalyst oxygen sensor input voltage, resistance, and reference voltage.

Disconnect the DC circuit from the control unit to avoid damage to the ECU. Measure resistance, reference voltage, open and short circuit of the sensor control circuit. Compare the values ​​obtained with those specified in the manual, and make appropriate repairs if any discrepancies are found.

The No. 2 oxygen sensor is itself part of the circuit, so be sure to check its resistance. Pay special attention to the sensor heater control circuit at this point.

The heating element plays a critical role in the overall performance of the sensor, and a faulty heating element or its control circuit can lead to extremely inaccurate readings, especially when the sensor is still cold.

The input of the heater circuit is usually equal to the battery voltage. Don't miss this measurement on the sensor connector.

Step 4

If all electrical parameters, including the resistance of the sensor itself, are within manufacturer specifications, or after repair (including replacing the sensor if necessary), you need to clear the fault and drive the vehicle to see if P0170 returns.

If your scanner can read data in real time, make it monitor only the #2 oxygen sensor.

At a constant engine speed, the displayed value will be somewhere in the middle point between lean and rich operating conditions. Changes in engine speed/load will cause variations to either side of this point as the ECU regulates fuel delivery.

Large movements of the throttle should cause large changes in the displayed reading. However, the reading should immediately return to a lean state as the throttle opening decreases.

These changes are known as negative and positive fuel trim. In a system where everything works as designed, these changes will happen constantly. However, it is possible that these changes will not occur even if the sensor's electrical side and control circuitry are in working order.

Step 5

If the error persists but all electrical values ​​are within manufacturer specifications, the fuel pressure is likely out of specification.

Even a slight deviation in pressure can lead to constant enrichment or depletion of fuel.

Fuel pressure problems rarely cause the warning light to come on or a trouble code to be stored. This happens especially often on older cars.

Check your vehicle's repair manual for the optimal fuel pressure range. Check the actual system pressure using a special fuel pressure gauge.

There are many possible reasons why fuel rail pressure may be too high or too low. But don't automatically assume that the fuel pump is bad. Visually inspect the entire fuel system. Check for damaged, kinked, pinched or otherwise faulty fuel lines that may restrict fuel flow. The volume of fuel supplied to the engine is as important as the pressure.

If you find damage to the fuel lines, it is better not to repair it, but replace the entire line with an original spare part. This will avoid future problems with leaks in the system. Also be sure to check the condition of the fuel filter. Replace it if there are signs of blockage or contamination.

Step 6

If all fuel lines are good, check the fuel pressure regulator, which may be located either on the fuel rail or in the fuel tank as part of the pump. Replace the fuel pressure regulator if the readings obtained do not meet manufacturer specifications.

Fuel pressure control

Clear any error codes and recheck the fuel pressure after the repair has been made to ensure the fuel pressure is within the specified range.

Drive your car with the scanner connected. Pay special attention to the operation of the post-catalytic oxygen sensor and how it senses changes in fuel trim.

If the code does not return immediately after completing a few driving cycles, it is safe to assume that the problem has been resolved.

However, if the error returns, the catalytic converter is likely faulty. It may become clogged or damaged due to prolonged exposure to P0170.

The conclusion that the catalytic converter is faulty must be weighed against the certainty that:

• The mass air flow sensor and its control circuit work as expected,
• oxygen sensor No. 2 is not damaged and that its control circuit is fully operational,
• the fuel pressure is within the operating range and that there are no leaks or faulty fuel injectors,
• no air leaks that can affect the air/fuel ratio,
• no misfires,
• there are no serious exhaust gas leaks that could contaminate the oxygen sensor test air,
• and that there is no excess oil in the intake tract, as often happens with European turbocharged engines.

Please note that replacing a catalytic converter can be extremely expensive (up to $1,000) and that all other options should be explored to correct the problem before mistakenly replacing the catalyst.

Step 7

If, despite your best efforts to resolve the issue, the code persists or returns sporadically, it is likely that an intermittent error is occurring.

Random or intermittent causes of the P0170 code can be extremely difficult to troubleshoot due to the relatively large number of causes. In some cases, the problem may need to get significantly worse before accurate and definitive repairs can be made.

Car diagnostics

If you decide to decipher the error codes of your Renault, be it Logan, Megan or even Premium, then you will need to first make a diagnosis. There are several ways to do this:

• A trip to the service station. Specialists will carry out diagnostics using equipment, in particular a scanner, and provide you with error codes present in the system of your car. This procedure costs on average 1 thousand rubles (500 hryvnia) and more.
• Diagnostics using a computer. To do this, you will need a special scanner, which costs 5 thousand rubles (2,500 hryvnia) on average and more. The procedure is not cheap and is more suitable for those who like to “dig” into technology.
• New on-board computer. Just in case you are not satisfied with the native BC installed at the factory. You can purchase a more functional one that will alert you not only about errors, but even about fuel consumption.
• Connect your smartphone to the on-board computer. Having a functional phone, you can connect it to the OBD-2 connector and start deciphering codes directly from your gadget. For this you will need a Bluetooth adapter. The asking price is up to 1,000 rubles (500 hryvnia).

Let's look at the Renault diagnostic process using the ELM327 adapter as an example.

1. First, find the OBD diagnostic connector, which is located in the glove compartment of the car on the right side.
2. Then insert the purchased adapter into the diagnostic connector and place your mobile device next to it. By the way, you can use not only a phone, but also a tablet computer. Download and install the necessary software on it in advance. Depending on the phone model, the names of the programs may differ. In practice, most domestic car enthusiasts diagnose their Renaults using the Torque program. It can be easily found and downloaded on the Internet.
3. Turn the key in the ignition and start your car.
4. Next, turn on your phone's Bluetooth feature and launch the software you decide to use for diagnostics.
5. Wait a few minutes for your phone to begin syncing with the adapter you inserted into the diagnostic socket. When the utility connects to the ELM327, the phone screen will show the parameters of your car's engine in working condition.
6. To understand why the Check Engine light comes on on your car’s dashboard, go to the appropriate section in the program window. Then the utility will begin to read combinations of faults from the memory of the on-board computer. If the software has detected at least one failure, a combination of letters and numbers with an explanation will be displayed on the mobile phone screen. Only by deciphering the code will you be able to replace a non-working component.

Recommended Tools to Fix P0170

There are several important tools that will help you fix the P0170 trouble code. These tools include:

• Car charger.
• Multimeter.
• OBD-II scanner.
• Pressure gauge.
• Electrical contact cleaner.

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