Code troubleshooting
 

Been lurking on the forums since I bought my 06 GT a few months ago, learning a lot. I finally have a reason to post, need some suggestions to make sure I am on the right track. My check engine light is on, so I took it to Autozone to have it scanned. Showing codes p2196 and p0174. The printout they gave me says p2196 is lack of heated oxygen sensor - bank 1 sensor 1 switch - sensor indicates rich. Then a list of possible causes. The printout for p0174 says fuel trim bank two condition, ECM has detected a rich or lean air/fuel ratio condition on bank two. Then a list of possible causes. I'm thinking it may be time to replace an O2 sensor or two. Just wondering if I should start somewhere else first, like cleaning the MAF. The car runs fine, no problems, and I want to keep it that way.

Background on the car- I bought it used from a used car dealer who claims he got it from an auction (I know disaster waiting to happen, but it runs and looks great). It has 127000 miles, and from what I have been able to discover so far it has the following: C&L CAI, BBk throttle body, BBK long tube headers and shorty X-pipe, under drive pulley, and various cosmetic mods. I do not have a tuner.
Thanks for any advice

Giving the entire intake and fuel system a thorough cleaning is a great place to start. Does the car have an off road set up or does it have high flow cats?

+1^ Don't assume that the oxygen sensors are lying. It might actually be running rich.

clean your MAF sensor, the # 1 cause of rich codes is a dirty MAF sensor that throws off the measured intake air reading, basically telling the pcm that its drawing in more air then it actually is, the pcm responds by adding more fuel, then the o2 sensors pick up on the rich condition and cause the pcm to pull fuel back out and flag these codes. good luck

Thanks for the replies. I'll spend some time tommorrow giving things a good cleaning and see what that does for me. The CAI filter could probably use a washing as well. I'll have to take a closer look at the pipes to see if its off road or high flow cats.

+1 on that and while you're there, pull off the CAI pipe and give the throttle body a thorough clean as well. It won't solve the codes but it'll sure as hell even out the idle rpm.

I got in there Friday and cleaned the CAI filter, the MAF, and the throttle body. It was all pretty dirty. Still waiting to see if this solved the problem, I haven't gotten to drive my car much the past couple of days. ��

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/mustang...0b90da2e67.jpg


A before shot of the CAI filter, nasty


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/mustang...deab58d5a1.jpg


Just some of the gunk that came out of my throttle body


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/mustang...6ffe36bedc.jpg


The cleaned off filter, not completely like-new, but much better. Just hope I didn't over do it with the filter oil

Code P2196 will not be cured by any kind of cleaning. Lack of the heated portion of the O2 sensor can only be fixed by sensor replacement.
With that said, don't waste your money on aftermarket sensors from ANY parts store. Get it from Ford and save yourself the headache of doing it again.
Just having a bad heater on the sensor does not prevent the car from running properly. The heater portion of the sensor merely helps to warm it up faster so that emissions can be reduced earlier in the warm-up cycle.

I remember reading a similar thread a while back. the problem was that with the headers installed, the 02 sensors were farther from the engine and not warming up quick enough according to the tune installed, hence the p2196 code. you have no idea of knowing if it has a aftermarket tune installed in it? I would assume it does since the mods it has, CAI, headers, BBK TB...which I'm surprised your not having trouble with, etc. how long has the CEL light been on?

I’m having same issue with my 2005 Ford Mustang. I replaced the throttle body completely to a new one that I ordered off Amazon. It’s throwing codes p2106 and p 061b. My car starts to drive ok then when warm goes into limp mode and no power with wrench light coming on. I have relearned the car.. still nothing. These cars are such a headache with trying to figure out what’s going on. I hate having to buy a new car with the way they are made now days. If any one can give insight on this issue as well please help. I’m stranded!