Results 1 to 15 of 17

Thread: How to fix the lean condition CEL codes on a supercharged VX?

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    Member Since
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Former owner of Supercharged #0604, now in withdrawal
    Posts
    1,484
    Thanked: 0

    How to fix the lean condition CEL codes on a supercharged VX?

    I need to tap into the collective wisdom a little more directly than searching the forums. I found several references to these problems over the years, then posts claiming they fixed the problem by doing this or that, then more posts 2 weeks later saying the problem is back, so my forum research has been inconclusive. Plus, it isn't too clear which posters had a supercharger and which did not.

    So, here are the relevant facts of the case...

    1) I installed a supercharger last summer, along with a free-flowing exhaust. Whoo-hooo!! What fun! The bigger exhaust (2.5" from the cats back) helped as much as the S/C, by the way... it definitely improved torque off the line, whereas the S/C only helps the high end of the rev range.

    2) Starting this winter, I have been getting check-engine lights fairly often. They are codes P0101 (MAF System Performance) and P0171/P0174 (Fuel Trim System Lean Bank 1/2). They keep coming back over and over, sometimes at idle when I start the engine, sometimes after being on the road for a while - there doesn't seem to be any pattern to it.

    3) Sometimes the CELs are accompanied by an intermittent "stutter" of the throttle, and sometimes not. What I mean by that is that you hit the gas pedal partially, and instead of getting power, the engine kind of bogs down for a second or two, then the power kicks in. It is similar to the way the engine behaves when you are running out of gas.

    4) The MAF code may be triggered by an out-of-spec reading on the MAF or the manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor, or from air/vacuum leaks in the intake. I replaced the MAF with an Autozone rebuild, but that didn't help at all. My mechanic tested the MAF and found that it was reading out of spec, but that doesn't mean much since the MAF that cured my 928 tested out of spec, too. Nevertheless, I will bring it back to Autozone and replace it. He checked for air/vacuum leaks but didn't find one. I have not checked the MAP sensor in any way.

    5) My mechanic found that the throttle position sensor wire harness was loose, so he tightened/reattached it about 3 weeks ago. Since then, I keep getting the lean codes (P0171 & P0174), but not the MAF code (so far).

    My mechanic and I are not sure what to try next. He keeps thinking in terms of the S/C kit is maybe not engineered right and these problems are part of that. I disagree, because I ran it with the S/C on there for about 6 months before I had any problems at all. I am suspicious of the fuel delivery system, and want to replace the fuel filter and fuel pressure regulator next. But before we start chasing our tails in a circle, I want to know if anyone here can provide some more conclusive advice.

    So with all of that in mind, have you had this problem with your VX? Is it supercharged? How did you finally fix it?

    Thanks in advance!

  2. #2
    Member Since
    Jun 2004
    Location
    99 Astral Silver VX #1872 + 99 Ironman WIP
    Posts
    10,613
    Thanked: 1
    Had the exact same symptoms...thought it was due to cracked intake manifold gaskets, so I replaced them. Even though they were cracked & needed replacing, on the first test drive the cel came on & the same codes appeared.

    In desperation, I emailed Jerry Lemond, who was gracious enough to reply quickly. He indicated that there was un-metered air entering the system somewhere (vacuum leak) OR the little sensor wires in the MAF might be crudded up with K&N filter oil residue.

    After replacing all my cool lookin', but poor sealing, stainless braid vac & brake booster hoses with rubber, I bought a can of MAF cleaner & de-crudded the sensor wires.

    Result...cel free for over a year.
    Last edited by Ldub : 04/25/2008 at 10:00 PM

  3. #3
    Member Since
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Former owner of Supercharged #0604, now in withdrawal
    Posts
    1,484
    Thanked: 0
    Thanks for the tips Ldub!

    I just went down to Autozone to trade in the MAF and, while they had one waiting for me, their comuter system was out and they couldn't process the return, so I have to go back tomorrow (to pick up the second front brake rotor they didn't have on the shelf).

    If that doesn't do the trick I'll have my mechanic check all of the hoses again.

    Has anyone ever found an adjustable fuel pressure regulator for the VX?

  4. #4
    Member Since
    Jun 2004
    Location
    99 Astral Silver VX #1872 + 99 Ironman WIP
    Posts
    10,613
    Thanked: 1
    Quote Originally Posted by VehiGAZ View Post
    Thanks for the tips Ldub!

    I just went down to Autozone to trade in the MAF and, while they had one waiting for me, their comuter system was out and they couldn't process the return, so I have to go back tomorrow (to pick up the second front brake rotor they didn't have on the shelf).

    If that doesn't do the trick I'll have my mechanic check all of the hoses again.

    Has anyone ever found an adjustable fuel pressure regulator for the VX?
    IIRC, CYRK is the only one that I can think of who was experimenting.

  5. #5
    Member Since
    Jun 2002
    Location
    2001 Ebony S/C #1304
    Posts
    3,647
    Thanked: 10
    I know Cyrk ended up having to go with a custom fuel management. I would fire him a PM and see what he did. Sounds similar.

    Though it sounds peculiar that a wiggle of the wiring brought about a CEL. That at least sounds easy enough to remedy with some splicing. God knows, the re-wiring during S/C install was a tedious POS.

    I get engine studder occasionally in my VX, but it's only when I have it running, turn it off long enough to run into a store or something, and then start it back up. Only happens on restart. I rev it up to about 2k rpms for about 20 secs and it purrs on its own again. I am sure that is fuel related. I still have yet to replace my fuel filter so it may have somehting to do with it (I am hoping).

    Good luck.
    Gary Noonan
    '01 S/C VX / '18 Forester XT

  6. #6
    Member Since
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Former owner of Supercharged #0604, now in withdrawal
    Posts
    1,484
    Thanked: 0
    Gary, that's not quite what happened - he didn't get a CEL from touching the loose TPS wiring - it stalled when he did. Prior to that, I was getting CELs almost daily, but since he tightened up thew wiring, I am only getting them once a week or so, and it has (so far) only been the lean condition codes.

    The replacement MAF goes in next. Then comes the new fuel filter.

  7. #7
    Member Since
    Mar 2009
    Location
    1999 black vx 0179
    Posts
    89
    Thanked: 0
    fixed my own drunken late night workin on the VX problem missed the groves on the mass air sensor and intake hose both sides

Similar Threads

  1. Code Reader - Lean System?
    By wekilled in forum VX Talk...
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 01/26/2008, 11:46 PM
  2. #580 is now SUPERCHARGED!
    By johnnyapollo in forum VX Modifications...
    Replies: 31
    Last Post: 08/13/2007, 09:04 AM
  3. Lean/rich gauge question
    By Ruflyf in forum VX Talk...
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 11/25/2006, 09:20 AM
  4. P1171 Fuel System Lean During Acceleration
    By olsonjus in forum VX Troubleshooting...
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 02/15/2005, 08:11 AM
  5. Running Lean. Need Advice.
    By Cline in forum VX Troubleshooting...
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 04/21/2004, 07:44 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
$lv_vb_eventforums_eventdetails