ok, i have a 96 accord lx. it has 145k on it, when i got the car the same day CEL comes on, and it is the code p0171 too lean bank 1, i have read so many forums on how to get ride of this code, and tride some of them.

since i have had it i have put new plugs, wires, cap and rotor, this made it run a little better. before this the car would shake like crazy when i begain to start moving and if i would shift into second it would die down until i put it back into neutral. when i start moving i would have to let it rev to about 3000 rpm and then it would be ok, to shift

i then replaced the fuel cap, this did nothing

the fuel filter was the next thing changed, this made the light go out for about 3 days, then the same code.

i got a aftermarket air intake on then and once again the light went out but for a few weeks then came back again!

i did read a forum that said the mass air sensor could be to blame for this code but there is no mass air sensor on a 96 accord, only a map sensor and a tp sensor on the t body.

i dont know where to go from here and i need input from some ppl please!!

 

Just a guess, but maybe it's a faulty, and or, clogged fuel injector?
There are many more knowledgeable people around here so take that as my 2cents. hope you figure it out man.
my main reason for thinking that a fuel injector may be your problem
1. changing the fuel filter=more fuel=made the light go away
2. too lean=not enough fuel

 

i dont know if this makes a difference but i have used a bunch of injector cleaner and i didnt really see a difference in the way it runs, i also us plus gas guessing more fuel would get to the engine.

 

O2 sensor? just a thought and if you can check the fuel pressuer at the rail should be between 35 - 45 i believe. does it seem like it has a loss of power?

 

you are looking @ the wrong side. You should be looking for the air side not the fuel side. well i might be wrong there but can u tell me if your car's idle goes up and down. if it does u are looking for an air leak/vacuum leak


tools needed (eyes + carb cleaner+ ear= good technician)

places for vacuum leaks

intake manifold hoses, brake booster hose, back of injectors, manifold gasket or either your exhaust manifold has a crack which lets air in.

 

its possible that you have a missfire too.

 

Cruzaleks got some good advice there. It very well could be a vacum leak or come other crack or flaw thats causing too much air to enter. Keep us posted I'm curious to see what the problem is.

 

ok, i thought it could be the o2 sensor, so i changed it and it didnt even make the light go off. i have had miss fires and when i press hard on my gas prolly about half way or more the car sounds like it is just miss fireing over and over again, until i let up on the pedel then it runs fine.

another thing i was worried about was that the kid who had the car before me put a ai/ fuel guage in the car and when he did he cut one of the wires that connect to the o2 sensor. i took it off cleaned it and taped it upbut im not sure it it could still be a problem??

 

As long as you got a good contact restored on that O2 wire and taped it back up securely it should be fine. But if your missfiring that badly I'm curious why a missfire code hasn't popped up. 'Cause the way you described it, it sounds like a pretty bad missfire. Maybe cruzaleks's got some more wisdom nuggets up his sleeve. I've read a few of his posts and he definitely knows a thing or two about cars. I suspect he may be a mechanic.
Again good luck on tracking down and solving the problem.

Also, you need to track down and isolate the specific problem for your code and remedy that first. Your O2 sensor is primarily used for emissions purposes. I may be completely wrong, but, I don't believe that a faulty O2 sensor would throw that code. Many people here would say stop throwing parts at your car and get a specific diagnosis. Anyway I feel your pain man you just want it to run right and there's nothing wrong with that, but, don't just throw away money on parts that don't need replacing.
Best of luck man.

 

now that changes everything. You mentioned your cars feels like its misfiring @ 50% throttle? this could be a cause of your car running out of fuel which leads to a weak fuel pump so maybe a good idea to check for proper fuel pressure.

if its a vacuum leak/air leak, a/f (air fuel) problems usually stabilizes @ higher rpm.


check fuel pressure coz u might have a weak fuel pump.

thats the only code u got right? hopefully no EGR codes...