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2002 Dodge Ram

Tiny
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  • 2002 DODGE RAM
Engine Performance problem
2002 Dodge Ram V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic

what does the trouble code P 0171 mean?
Sunday, March 29th, 2009 AT 9:24 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
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Hello,

Here is the code def.

P0171 System too Lean (Bank 1)

How is your vehicle running?

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Sunday, March 29th, 2009 AT 9:36 PM
Tiny
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If you vehicle running fine then you have either a exhaust leak or a bad O2 Sensor.

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Sunday, March 29th, 2009 AT 9:41 PM
Tiny
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My truck runs funny. It is idling low and it cuts out here and there and it sounds like it is misfiring. I replaced the plugs today. Almost all of them were black as black. But it is still running the same. It is definitely running rich but I do not know how to fix it.
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Sunday, March 29th, 2009 AT 9:45 PM
Tiny
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It runs like crap and is puffin black smoke
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Sunday, March 29th, 2009 AT 9:45 PM
Tiny
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Check for broken or dilapidated vacuum hoses on and around the engine, your car's engine is designed to run on a system that can hold vacuum. Vacuum hose are typically connected to the engine intake manifold and will supply engine vacuum to various accessories like power brakes. Some cars are designed with a larger vacuum transfer hose like Ford that connects the intake manifold to the IAC (idle air control) motor. A broken or dilapidated vacuum line or air intake boot can cause the engine to lose vacuum which will allow the engine to run rough and die. Inspect all engine and accessory vacuum lines to look for missing, torn or dilapidated lines and replace as needed. Also have a helper rest their foot on the gas pedal just enough to keep the engine running. Check the engine when it is running to listen for any whistling noise coming from the engine that is not usually present. Follow the noise and inspect vacuum lines in that area. Also, when the engine is running it will pull inward a broken or weak piece of the hose to create a larger vacuum leak. Check the integrity of all vacuum hoses at each end of the hose. Typically this is where a vacuum hose fails.

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Sunday, March 29th, 2009 AT 9:52 PM
Tiny
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Iv already checked all of that.

The engine runs, it doesnt die at idle it just runs realy ruff. And it spits and sputters and puffs black smoke like its running realy rich. I cant figure out why it would code as lean.
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Sunday, March 29th, 2009 AT 10:03 PM
Tiny
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Ok, let my get more info from you as to what all you have done to try and fix your vehicle or find the cause of your problem.

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Sunday, March 29th, 2009 AT 10:09 PM
Tiny
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I think I figured it out. Im prety sure its the o2 sensor is bad.
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Monday, March 30th, 2009 AT 12:46 AM
Tiny
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Well let me know. As I stated in a post above if it was running fine it could be an Exhaust Leak or a Bad O2 Sensor.

But, if it is running rough there is another problem. I haven't come across a vehicle that ran bad and changing an O2 sensor fixed the problem.

I hope that it does though.

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Monday, March 30th, 2009 AT 4:57 PM
Tiny
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It was not the O2 sensor. When we unplugged the idle air control motor, it ran how it is supposed to. Therefore, I suspect that is what needs to be replaced. This was a hard one to figure out because it never ran the code for it. The idle air control motor is real hard to push in and it does not come out like it should. I think it is broken but the motor is actually fine therefore tricking the computer into thinking it is still working correctly and causing the truck to throw alternate codes which are not the real problem. Computerized vehicles are tricky tricky tricky. Anyways, I have to wait on the part and if that ends up not fixing the problem, I will let you know. Thanks for all your help.
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Monday, March 30th, 2009 AT 9:18 PM
Tiny
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OMG! Well, that did not fix it either. It needed to be replaced anyways because it was broken but it didn't fix the problem. So, 02 is out and idle air control is out. I am making out a list of possibles: fuel injector pressure regulator, fuel injector o rings, fuel shut-off relay, fuel pump relay, o2 sensor heat relay. Those are what I have so far. Do any of those seem to fit better or do you have a different idea? I just figured I would go down the list and replace stuff until it runs right. I was thinking of starting with the o rings since they are cheapest. What do you think?
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Wednesday, April 1st, 2009 AT 1:28 PM
Tiny
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We changed out the map sensor also. Still not fixed. Do you know anything about the EVAP canister purge solenoid?
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Thursday, April 2nd, 2009 AT 2:33 PM
Tiny
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Well it could be the Fuel Pressure regulator, were you able to test fuel pressure and regulator?

It wouldn't be the Injector O-Rings if it were you would have fuel leaking at the injectors and a strong smell of gas under hood.

It wouldn't be the Fuel pump relay or shut off relay because if they were bad your vehicle wouldn't run.

The heated O2 relay wouldn't make it run rough.

Check out the link below and go through the proceedures the best you can.

https://www.2carpros.com/first_things/why_does_my_engine_run_rough.htm

Also I will need more info on your vehicle....

Is it a 1500,2500 0r 3500 and also the engine size in Liters 4.7 , 5.2 or 5.9 ...

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Thursday, April 2nd, 2009 AT 8:37 PM
Tiny
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It is a 1500 4.7 2wd. It is running rich and there is a smell of fuel under hood but it doesn't really smell like raw fuel. Black smoke from under hood and out of exhaust. I have changed the o2 sensor, the idle air control motor, and I bought the crankshaft position sensor also. I am wondering if it could be the EVAP canister solenoid. I am trying to eliminate all possibilities. You have done that for some I was pondering on. If the ckp doesn't work, I will definitely need more input on this problem. Thanks
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Thursday, April 2nd, 2009 AT 10:26 PM
Tiny
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It was not that either. It only starts acting up after the o2 sensor reaches about 600 degrees. The oil kinda has a yellowish tint to it. I think it is the head gasket. What do you think?
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Friday, April 3rd, 2009 AT 12:14 PM
Tiny
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Possibly, It could also be the Intake Gasket. Most if the time with a head gasket you get white smoke or excessive steam coming from exhaust if the gasket is blown between the cylinder and the coolant jacket.

An intake gasket would normally put coolant into the oil and could also create the smoke or steam from exhaust.

A compression test would help determine which one.

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Friday, April 3rd, 2009 AT 12:58 PM

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