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Driving 2003 MPV with check engine lights on (po 171 & 174)

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  #1  
Old 03-13-2013, 01:58 PM
mccarvindh's Avatar
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Default Driving 2003 MPV with check engine lights on (po 171 & 174)

Hi friendly folks at the forums,
Yesterday morning my check engine light came on in my 2003 MPV, and these are the codes that the good folks at autozone pulled up - PO 171 and PO 174. I have a question about the safety of driving the vehicle before this problem is fixed. I have a long drive to chicago (about 350 miles), and I can take care of this when I reach the city. can i afford to go on such a long trip with the check engine light on? Many thanks for your help.
Arvindh
 
  #2  
Old 03-13-2013, 03:11 PM
tanprotege's Avatar
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Arvindh:

This means there is a lean condition on both cylinder banks. It is usually caused by a vacuum leak between the MAF sensor and the lower intake manifold.

With the CEL on the computer switches to a open loop where it uses assumed programmed data rather than live data from the sensors.

You should be safe to do this trip. However, when the CEL flashes you run the risk of damaging the expensive catalytic converters.

I would look around for a detached or cracked vacuum hose somewhere around the intake manifold. If you are lucky it is a 1 minute fix.
 
  #3  
Old 03-13-2013, 03:35 PM
UseYourNoggin's Avatar
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Originally Posted by tanprotege
Arvindh:

This means there is a lean condition on both cylinder banks. It is usually caused by a vacuum leak between the MAF sensor and the lower intake manifold.

With the CEL on the computer switches to a open loop where it uses assumed programmed data rather than live data from the sensors.

You should be safe to do this trip. However, when the CEL flashes you run the risk of damaging the expensive catalytic converters.

I would look around for a detached or cracked vacuum hose somewhere around the intake manifold. If you are lucky it is a 1 minute fix.
You forgot your favorite!
Duct tape the intake accordion hose between the MAF sensor and the throttle body! -- as it does crack and could very well be the problem.
 
  #4  
Old 03-13-2013, 08:09 PM
mccarvindh's Avatar
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Default Thank you!

tanprotege and noggin - thank you both very much for your replies. Hopefully i can take care of this soon.
 
  #5  
Old 03-14-2013, 09:18 AM
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Noggin: now and then I throw you a bone!
 
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