Codes 1171, 0137, 0157 SOLVED

[Hotsauce]

I've been triggering these codes, and setting the CEL ever since I installed the supercharger. In the past, its been that the nut for the EGR had come loose. These codes are for low O2 voltage, and low MAS readings.

This past week the codes have been coming on more and more frequently, today coming on every time I gave it more than half throttle. The engine had no power, and felt like the ECU was pulling timing. I travel with a 22mm open end wrench to constantly tighten the nut, but this wasn't the solution.

These codes imply a lean condition. This had to be a leak somewhere after the MAS, and before the supercharger. The engine was taking in extra unmetered air, and not getting the fuel it needed for it.

When I arrived home today I pulled the intake, and found the cause. The intake air sensor was loose in the intake elbow.

The reason for this is the location of the sensor. The sensor needs to be moved back slightly to take the strain off of the harness. As it is now the harness needs to be unwouond back to even plug this sensor in at all.

I will be making a complete new intake these holiday weekends, and will post completed pics, and material sources.

John C.

[Hotsauce]

ARRRRGH! its back! The codes have returned.

OK, so today I replaced the fuel filter, pcv, and all the vac hoses.

I went out for a blast, and hit the codes again. I ordered a new air meter, and have my fingers crossed.

John C.

[Dallas4u]

This is just a guess... and it may be TOTALLY off the mark, but something like this happened to me when I went to pick my VX up after having the SC installed (the first time), no check engine light or anything.

They told me the VX was ready, and we took it for a test drive. I noticed right away that it wasn't getting much more power (nothing like I thought it should). As we took an off ramp and were coming to a light, the engine began idling strangely, reving then backing down. Even with the brake pedal depressed it was hard to keep from bumping the car in front of me. We went back to the shop.

After about an hour of fiddling, they told me it was ready. They said they had forgotten to put a plug on a hole on the SC. I guess some sort of vaccum plug. We went for the test ride, and I haven't had a problem since.

Today I was changing my oil and looked at the SC a bit. I felt around, behind the throttle and cruise control cable, and I felt a small nipple :) tube with a cap on it. I'm not sure if this is the one that had the missing cap, but it would be an easy fix if this was your problem!

[Hotsauce]

I've pretty much eliminated the idea thats its a vac leak. I took my propane torch, and carefully sprayed the entire intake with gas. Normally if there is any vac leak you would detect a change in idle from this.

I opened the MAS, its a 3 hotwire setup. one of the filiments is slightly discolored, maybe some imputiry burned into it? I tried cleaning it with brake cleaner, but no changes.

My next thoought if this new MAS doesn't solve the problem is fuel pressure. I'm sure i can solve this by upping the pressure, but I didn't want to have to mess with that.

John C.

[VXtreme]

Let me know if you have come up with the solution to this problem. My VX has been triggering the same codes since I put the supercharger on, just not as frequently as you are. I replaced the MAS when I got a low reading on the MAS. Seemed to be OK for a while and the other day it set off another code. I have noticed a strong catalytic converter smell when I drive at highway speeds, about 65 - 80 MPH. This is also when the code seems to go off. The car will hesitate under accelleration and idle roughly. I am pulling my hair out trying to figure this one out. I have checked all vacuum lines and ther appears to no vacuum leak. I would appreciate any help or suggestions you come up with.

[Randy]

How do you guys get the code #'s without a code analyzer? I have a check engine light and would like to get some direction on where it might be coming from.

Randy

[VXtreme]

I have a buddy at the local Isuzu dealer, that helped me install the supercharger. He's a great guy and an Isuzu certified master elite mechanic. I just take it to him and he hooks up the analyzer (at no charge to me) when I get a check engine light. We can then read the codes. Maybe you should try making a friend at your dealer.

[Anita]

Originally posted by Randy
How do you guys get the code #'s without a code analyzer? I have a check engine light and would like to get some direction on where it might be coming from.

Randy

Go to an Autozone.

[Randy]

We have AutoZone's here, but they are just parts stores. There is no built-in auto shop. Do they have a designated code breaker that rushes outside with the majic wand?

[vx queen]

I get the codes with a metal colander and tin foil.....

[Hotsauce]

http://www.actron.com/cp9135.jpg

Thats what I use. I think I paid about $130 new. It will work on anything 1996 or newer.


John C.

[Daver]

Originally posted by Randy
We have AutoZone's here, but they are just parts stores. There is no built-in auto shop. Do they have a designated code breaker that rushes outside with the majic wand?

Actually, yes, they probably do.

Even the Autozone parts-only stores around me have their nifty little carts for battery/electrical diagnostics. It's a good bet they all have code scanners too.

-Daver

[Dylan19]

I had been experiencing a rough idle, as well as an extremely high idle once stopped. When i would come to a complete stop my engine would be going between 1500, and 2500 RPMS. I had also been experiencing the lack of power, it was like it wasnt getting any gas and would start to stall. I finally replaced my Idle Air Control Valve and have had great success. The steps that led up to this simple fix were, Intake Gaskets, Timing Belt, Valve Adjustment, and cleaning the throttle body. So far everything is back to normal.

[Hotsauce]

New air meter....no change. I'm taking one of the fuel rail banjo bolts in to work, and tapping it 1/8" ips to install fuel pressure gauge.

Anyone know what idle pressure should read?

John C.

[warr`s auto]

your fuel psi at idle should run 30psi to 35psi , how many miles is on your truck and how long has the sc been on . as the boost psi runs up it bring up the fuel psi to add more fuel ( higher then stock witch puts more load on the pump ) if your pump is week it will run fine as long as you are not under boost and will lean out as the psi goes up ! this can burn a piston ! you need to get it checked !!!!! you may wont to ask Tone if he can find out from Alpine Developments what the fuel psi should be under boost ( 45psi at 1psi of boost ,50psi at 2psi of boost ??? ) so you can check it yourself
hope this helps :wave:

[nater]

Have you tried replacing the intake manifold gaskets? I had to do this to my 00 Trooper (Nat. Asp.). It had problems similar to what you describe until I replaced them myself. No dealer had been able to find the problem; symptoms (since brand new!) included surging, stalling (that's right)! Rough idle, no power when cold. Anyway, the thermostat went out, and since it's under the intake, it was easiest to remove the intake manifold and I replaced the gaskets while I was in there.

The guys at St. Charles Isuzu says the problem is notorious on all 3.2 and 3.5's.

Keep in mind in order to install the supercharger, four of the bolts holding the intake gaskets tight need to be removed and reinstalled. The actual installation of the supercharger may have caused the gaskets to leak.

Nate

[Hotsauce]

Thabnks for your idea. I thought about that, and may replace it just to rule it out, but heres why I think its not that:

That would be sealing pressurised air. a leak there would cause a loss of air outward, and so a rich mxture. My problem is lean.

John C.

[nater]

Hmmm... Codes 1171, 0137, 0157 DO NOT indicate the air flow sensors. They are lean condition, low voltage O2 sensor bank1, and low voltage O2 sensor bank 2. Obviously, a malfuntioning or misfed MAP or MAF sensor could cause a problem, but these codes are specific to a lean condition explicitly. I think 0137 and 0157 are side affects and 1171 is your "real" code.

Okay, so it's lean. That's either not enough fuel or too much air. Can you tell if the condition occurs under boost or under vacuum? Maybe you want to buy a boost gauge for the A-pillar- it will look cool and could help diagnose this issue. This one should work well:

http://www.brandsport.com/trd-00602-83100-002.html

An intake leak could cause lean under vacuum, rich under boost. It is also possible that the gasket leaks under vacuum and seals under pressure, and could explain your lean condition.

However, I would look toward low fuel pressure at this point. Perhaps something went wrong during installation of the S/C kit. Check out the fuel pressure regulator to make sure everything is okay... you can also put a gauge on the fuel line to measure the pressure.

A scan tool that feeds live sensor data could tell you rich or lean in real time; combined with a boost gauge you could determine if the lean condition occurs under vacuum or boost. If it's under boost, it's likely a fuel delivery problem (like low fuel pressure).

One more thing makes me think it's fuel pressure: I'm pretty sure the VX has a MAP sensor in addition to the MAF sensor. If there was a discrepency between the readings, there would likely be a seperate, specific code. To find the MAP sensor, go to step 8 of Tone Monday's install instructions.

http://www.tonemonday.com/Storage/isuzu_sc_install.pdf

IT IS MISLABELED as the MAF sensor. That is the MAP sensor.
Incidentally, the other sensor is also mislabeled, it's the Ion Sensing module.

Anyway, I hope this helps.

Nate

[Hotsauce]

Damn, I'm looking at the pictures of the fuel reg.

I just checked the stock rail, that little O ring is still down in there, and was not transfered to the new regulator body.

I have the SC fuel rail and reg off the engine and apart now, the new reg body doesn't have a recess for that little O ring like the original one did. Should I just stretch over the bottom nipple on the regulator insert?

Obviously this seals the return line, and is what(should) hold pressure in the rail.

John C.

[nater]

John, I wish I could see precisely what you are working on...

Does it look like:

-This is where the seal goes?
-This won't distort the seal severely?
-The seal will stay put?

If these are all correct, I would try it. Be careful, this seal is not available as a part from Isuzu.

If you want, post some pictures of exactly what you are working on.

Nate

[Tone]

There is a place in the bottom of the new reg housing for the small oring - it is below the screen. Pics are in the install manual for the SC which can be downloaded on my site.

To increase the fuel pressure, turn the security torx screw clockwise.

[Hotsauce]

Tone: Yes, I see the recess, but its soo small in diameter that to put the ring in it has to be kinked. The ring is not swollen, and fits the stock reg housing perfectly still. there is considerable difference between these holes.

I have a gauge mounted now, Itapped the manjo bolt for 1/8" ips. I am seeing 38 psi at idle vac, and pressure rising with boost applied with mityvac. This suprises me with the seal not in there.

I'm making myself crazy over this. I'm thinking of chopping the reg off the stock rail, ans plaicing it to the new rail to see what happens, or going to a quality aftermatker reg.


John C.

[nater]

John, I'm anxious to see a resolution to your problem. Do your O-rings look like the photo in Tone's instructions?

Tone, any insight on what could be wrong?

Nate

[Hotsauce]

Yes, it looks exactly like his instructions. Those are not the same instructions that came with my SC BTW. I almost remember it saying not to use the small O ring... I wish I could find them.

The code almost only comes up on long pulls at steady throttle position. This makes me think the ECU is doing a lookup, and moving a point on the long term fuel trim. It runs off the table, and sets the CEL.

I ordered intake gaskets today, I guess I have to swap them to eliminate that , since they are known to fail often on our engine.

If that doesn't do it, I'm gonna mount my EGT and wideband, and add fuel pressure till its happy.

John C.

[nater]

John:

Okay, here's an easy one:
Did you try taking the belt off of the supercharger?
(Does it still set the codes?)

Also, for the intake gaskets, I recommend a dressing (top and bottom) before you install them; I used this one:

http://www.permatex.com/products/prodidx.asp?automotive=yes&f_call=get_item&item_no=80696

Especially since these gaskets are known to fail AND you are now putting boost pressure on the gaskets in addition to vacuum. Also, if you've ever wanted to replace the thermostat, now is the time. The intake has to come off to change it.

Good Luck! Keep us posted.

Nate

[Tone]

No, no, no - intake gaskets go on dry as they have their own sealing surfaces. The problem with them leaking is related to the plastic cracking below the sealing surfaces.

[Hotsauce]

ITS FIXED!!!

W'hoo

This weekned, despite the cold I removed the supercharger to replace all the gaskets.. I didn't think it could be the intake gaskets, because I was only getting codes at WOT, and leaks of pressurised metered air should cause pig rich condition. I did it anyway, just to eliminate this failure prone posability.

As it turned out the intake gaskets WERE bad, but for some reason I was reading good vacuum at idle. I guess I don't fully understand the logic of how the fuel and fault tables work. I was unable to find this leak spraying propane and carb cleaner on everything.

Another thing wrong I noticed as I was taking the supercharger off. there were 2 loose bolts that could be causing a leak. The bolt behind the lower manifold that holds the fuel line bracket to the manifold, and the bolt that holds the EGR block bracket to the manifold both were loose. These bolt holes are through holes into the casting of the manifold, so any looseness is a vacuum leak. A much better design would have been to have them be blind holes.

I also shattered the upper fan shroud by leaning on it in the extreme cold.


I replaced all the injector O rings. 3 had a nick on them. St Charles was unable to correctly supply them, mailing me one O ring($18) instead of the whole set. The correct part # is: 8-17113-400-0 I was able to order them online from:

www.thepartsbin.com

The first time I hit the gas it was a changed beast. Its back!! I hope this saga helps anyone else having similar probles.

Thanks to everyone who either helped, or tried to help.

John C.

[nater]

John, that is spectacular. I went back and looked at my old ones to see if I could find cracks... maybe I don't know where to look (Tone, is it a hairline crack?) Anyway, when I took out the old ones I didn't show them a lot of respect, so it's hard to say whether they were damaged or bad...

Anyway GLAD it fixed your problem. It's about time for me to get a supercharger...

Nate

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

I had the same problem discussed here and scanned the very same codes:

I checked for unmetered air via loose connections, examined EGR for leaks, replaced air temperature sensor grommet, replaced Throttle Body Gasket with new one, and replaced fuel filter. I also reinstalled the factory airbox/filter to eliminate any possible issues with my carbon fiber cold air intake/cone filter.

so I then attacked it by going right for the jugular and pulled off the SC and replaced the intake gaskets myself even though they were replaced earlier (about 1 yr ago) when SC was first installed by my dealer for $720.00

After removing gaskets I saw nothing wrong with them but installed new ones just the same. I did find some cut 'o'-rings on some of the injectors and replaced them with new ones (used plenty of lube and TLC!). I found 1 "cracked" fuel injector where the plastic outer shell or shroud (kind of resembles a spark plug boot) seats against injector hole in intake. I really thought this was the culpret! Replaced with new fuel injector ($125 w/tax)

After resetting ECM and test driving the problem still existed and seemed to be happening more frequently and I began noticing lack of power and it stalled once. Check engine light would come on at either steady highway speed or when going up a hill and putting foot into it. GRRRRRRR.

I finally decided I'd change the MAF Sensor and if that didn't do anything I'd proceed to the O2 sensors next. Well, a few minutes work changing the MAF sensor fixed the problem! I got a rebuilt O.E.M. MAF from Advance Auto for $98 plus $35 core charge. Kind of wish I'd started there first:rolleyes: ;but, the cut o-rings and cracked injector probably would have caused problems down the road!

At any rate....I'm surprised I never got a code referring to the MAF system...just the three codes listed in this thread which is why I didn't swap it out earlier!

[newthings]

Your experiences sound all too familiar.

Hotsauce observed:
Another thing wrong I noticed as I was taking the supercharger off. There were 2 loose bolts that could be causing a leak. The bolt behind the lower manifold that holds the fuel line bracket to the manifold, and the bolt that holds the EGR block bracket to the manifold both were loose. These bolt holes are through holes into the casting of the manifold, so any looseness is a vacuum leak. A much better design would have been to have them be blind holes.

Newthings observed the same thing:
I have codes of P0171 and P0174, which are FUEL TRIM SYSTEM LEAN BANK ONE AND BANK TWO, respectively.

As to the solution to my idle problem--
The EGR valve sits on an aluminum block which is attached in two places: A metal vacuum tube coming from the back of the intake plenum and a flat metal bracket which bolts to the S/C intake manifold. A 1 1/8" spacer is between the bracket and the manifold. A bolt goes down the center of the spacer.
The bolthole in the intake manifold goes clear through into the air path.
So, if the bolt falls up (!) and out of the bracket you have a 1/8" air leak and everything looks fine. My searching with starter fluid spray produced inconsistent results since I was squirting in the wrong places. I pulled off the EGR and replaced the gasket. When putting the valve back on, the spacer fell over. A search for it's home revealed the hole.

Problem soon returns:
Another 2 hr. trip to the Isuzu shop finely got results. They felt it was the intake gasket in the front area. Hmm, the codes say lean in both banks. Both gasket leaking? So off came the S/C and manifold. New gaskets and the same problem returns. Then the search goes to the back on the S/C chamber in the back next to the firewall. Another drilled through threaded hole holds on a bracket for the fuel line. The bolt is loose and inaccessible. Off comes the S/C again and the bolt is fixed in place with LockTite. Problem solved, at last. Two different bolt leaks and two different fuel line leaks in a few months has been a nasty exercise.

There is nothing like the sense of relief when a chronic problem is fixed.
Roy