2000 Chrysler Town & Country Van OBII code p0171, prevoius owner state oxygen sensor replaced stalls & backfires looses power. had to tow it day it was bought, 2 days ago. help thanks Pam
30 Answers
I would suggest taking it to a shop for repair. This can be a difficult code to work on...P0171 CHRYSLER - Fuel System 1/1 Lean...Possible causes; Intake air leaks, Faulty front heated oxygen sensor, Ignition misfiring, Faulty fuel injectors, Exhaust gas leaks, Incorrect fuel pressure, Lack of fuel, Faulty Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor, Incorrect Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) hose connection...If the P0171 is combined with the P0174 code, it's very likely that the problem is caused by an intake leak. If there are no intake leaks, the next step is to replaced the air filter and clean the air flow meter. If the problem persist the front oxygen (O2) sensor may need to be replaced.
Rowefast, I read so many comments on horror stories on stalling & dying, losing power on the Town & Country I'm freaking out. Most were 2008& 2010 models but seemed problematic in general, auto store said no MAF on Chrysler. was leaning toward clean throttle body &replace O2 sensor after reading about issues I'm scared. never bought a vehicle that didn't make it home.
Your just going to be throwing money at it if you don't know how to diagnose the problem. Your best bet is to have a shop look at it.
the Chrysler 2000 Town & Country that was sputtering stalling OBII code po171 measured fuel pressure of 10 does sound more like fuel pump not oxygen sensor any opinions ?
At 10 lbs fuel pressure means the fuel pump needs to be replaced.
Rowefast he put in fuel pump & filter it wont start not getting fuel checking line to see if fuel is pumping. grrrrr I read on forum some people after unhooking battery car wouldn't start, suggestions anyone?
You shouldn't have had a problem disconnecting the battery on this one, basically that is from 2005 on up. Check that there is power back there, possible ground wire not making a connection. The pump should run with the key in the on position. Thats when you would have to check for power also.
Rowefast thanks for advice he said getting fuel no spark, tried turning smelling like flooding out, fumes all up in shop leaving it to air out. he said hes ready to break things. who we just bought it from found mechanics last invoice, replaced plugs, wires, fluids, oxygen sensor, cleaned fuel injectors, alternator, EGR, breather hose. last code was po404 adviced fuel pump failing . he did not know fuel pump issue when given to him, was hoping that was issue, I also read some fuel filters aftermarket can leak but doesn't match no spark now.
Should do a fuel bleed down test once you get the fuel pump to turn on, check the relay also.
Rowefast he had no gas, then jacked up one side & where the fuel rails were ragged off started spuming gas akk over engine and everywhere that's where he stopped. I will go turn over key so he can do bleed down tomorrow. Is that what you meant by bleed down. buy a new van to replace dead one and now for 7 days no van. so upset, thanks
Lol, It is a Chrysler...but it sounds like you found were the problems are.
Rowefast are Chrysler problematic? anything else you think of if it doesn't start tomorrow? does the PCM have to be reset. Should he do OBII again or does it need to start to test? The other van was a Chevy Astro over 400,000 passenger door doesn't open, driver door rigged with wire to open, windshield trashed, didn't pass emission got 99999 bad as it gets still runs but cant get tabs so time to retire it. I said Chevy should use it in a commercial and give us another used van. LOL scared for tomorrow.
Your vehicles are at a point that they lived their life and require continuous care to keep them going. An Astro with 400,000 miles and the Chrysler that is 17 years old? Your bound to have problems. I like the Chevy commercial idea...LOL.
Rowefast did bleed down did check for antitheft , on the fuel rail it spit gas then nothing. ignition was turned but not in start up. he just hooked up fuel pressure tester again at 48 trying to see maybe bad fuel pump, so seems like still not getting spark. suggestions anyone?
It is a fuel bleed down test to perform, with the key off and the fuel pressure built up on the fuel pressure gauge, you turn the key off and let it sit to see if the fuel pressure drops on the fuel pressure gauge.
Rowefast the fuel rail held pressure on tester at 49 after 20min down to 35. still no spark
Ok, so now there is no problem with the fuel delivery system. How do we go from a po171 code to no spark now? Can you get your money back for this thing? Should have test drove this for awhile. Anyway, on the original problem of this backfiring and no spark now, did you have the vehicle scanned for any trouble codes? At this point it is the crankshaft sensor that usually goes, there is a way to test it, look on line to see how on you tube, and the coil pack would need to be checked out, an auto parts store can test this for you.
Rowefast the only code was po171 we are thinking the how did it have spark now fix fuel delivery and no spark. we did test drive. talked to mechanic last did work fuel pressure was 20 we got 10 so fuel pump was not working right, maybe we should have towed back to seller instead of thinking if just fuel pump & compensated for it we would do it, was going to shop to retest OBII to see if codes come up if need to clear old code. does pcm have to be reset? next check was crankshaft sensor & coil ignition. we got antitheft to read alarm set. we thought it might have gone in shut down messing with back latch and removing battery and throttle body. I have nuclear test on my heart tomorrow good timing blood pressure off the hookheart rate 130 ohand no vehicle. grrrr please let it start today, thanks
Rowefast I talked to shop the van was serviced last, they looked up invoice & confirmed items fixed. he tried OBII no reading but it hasn't started so how can it kick a code, he was trying to remove crank positioner sensor but had grieve with electrical connection & quit for the day. I'll look up that tonight, oh it does have spark just wont start.
Rowefast what is the difference in symptoms of Crankshaft position sensor & Camshaft sensor you have mentioned both, I read crankshaft common failure
They work together to correlate the timing of the engine. Both would cause a no start condition, but usually show up in a trouble code, but you have messed with this so much, its hard saying.
cant get codes because wont start only cranks he was going to test by volts to sensors today. I have doctor crap all morning
Rowefast crankshaft sensor did not correct problem. The rpms on dash don't register I saw video on what that could indicate now cant find it. He wants to try camshaft sensor removed yesterday so now cardboard spacer is gone so cant reinstall. I have convinced him to check voltage on other sensors that are easy access. He also hosed engine off before new fuel pump. he said all relays and such were dry out. another guy said it steamed heavy after bringing inside it has been cold & humid every day. moisture cause a no start problem. also read issues with wiring harness under dash.
Rowefast It finally started this is white steaming smoke coming from exhaust running rough, smoke not the same as blown head more steamy any ideas?
What does the exhaust smell like? Does it have a sweet smell to it?
Doesn't smell like coolant nor is it oily, just a lot of white smoke from tail pipe. going to warm it up real good recheck this morning . pressure on head checked out fine. would intake manifold gasket cause moisture to cylinder?
Hello, good to hear it runs, now to get it right. So no on the moister question, just from sitting and having a problem starting. Like you say get it warmed up, it's just clearing stuff out of everything. But when you get it fired up next time take some spray carburetor cleaner and spray the intake gasket and the throttle body base gasket to check for vacuum leaks. You would notice a difference in the rpm's of the engine.
