P2196 Code – What Does It Mean & How To Fix It

This is one of the most frequent OBD2 trouble codes. Read the full article below to know what it means, how to fix it, and what other codes may show related to it.

DTC Code P2196 is triggered when the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) detects a deviation in the stipulated Air-Fuel ratio in the exhaust system. The PCM monitors the air-fuel ratio in the exhaust system. By so doing, it attempts to maintain the stipulated air-fuel ratio of 14.7:1.

In some situations, the amount of fuel in the combustion engine is higher than  air. The PCM triggers this trouble code when it becomes difficult to maintain the required air-fuel ratio in the system.

Causes

DTC Code P2196 is triggered when there is a high amount of fuel in proportion to air in the combustion chamber. This trouble code can be an indication of a number of failures in the combustion system. However, here are some of the most frequent causes:

• Failure or malfunctioning of the O2 sensor
• Defective oxygen sensor circuit connections or loose wirings
• Dirty or corroded Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor
• Leaks in the fuel vacuum
• Malfunctioning of the exhaust system
• Defective fuel injector
• Failure or malfunctioning of the Engine Control Module (ECM)
• Too high fuel pressure
• Defective fuel pressure regulator diaphragm
• Malfunctioning of the Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
• Malfunctioning of the Engine Coolant Temperature sensor

Symptoms

This generic trouble code has a number of symptoms that indicate its presence in a vehicle, the most common of them are:

• Illumination of the check engine light
• Reduced engine power
• High fuel consumption or reduced fuel economy
• Erratic or excessive exhaust discharge, usually containing dark smoke;
• Rough running; and
• Misfiring

Diagnosis

Diagnosing DTC Code P2196 can be very difficult with the difficulty level rated as 4 of 5 by the experts. Therefore, most time the diagnosis of this error code is not one of the easy DIY, but a task that requires expert intervention.

We have compiled this step-by-step instruction to guide anyone - technicians or skilled DIY individuals, who are looking for a simplified diagnostic process for this trouble code. For successful diagnosis, this process requires an OBD-II scanner to read the freeze frame data. Equipped with this particular tool, follow these steps to conduct the diagnosis of your vehicle:

• Using the OBD-II scanner, check for other similar codes and download the freeze frame data when the engine is running. It should however be remembered that our interest is in the O2 sensor data only
• While observing the data, the O2 sensor is expected to oscillate rapidly from the initial 0.1 volts to 0.9 volts
• When this happens, the sensor of bank 1 Sensor 1 should remain constant at about 0.2 volts. This indicates that a rich condition has occurred as a result of reduced amount of oxygen in the exhaust system
• This can be corrected by either introducing more air into the system or reducing the amount of fuel inflow into the system
• If you opt to introduce more air into the system, remove a vacuum hose from the affected bank of cylinders. By so doing, you have created a vacuum in the system. This will allow more air to enter into the intake manifold. It is important to note that creating a vacuum in the system should be done while monitoring the scan tool data
• On the contrary, reducing the fuel inflow into the system may be a little difficult. This is because it greatly depends on the access to the fuel injectors on bank 1. However, if the bank 1 fuel injectors are accessible, simply disconnect the connectors of the injectors. This will consequently stop the spray of fuel into the combustion chamber
• Having done that, clear the error code and take the vehicle for a test drive to check if the error returns

Here are some other diagnoses you can conduct on the vehicle if the error returns:

• Visually inspect the wiring in the pre and post-catalytic converter oxygen sensor for defects or disconnection. If faulty, proceed to repair or replace if the fault is beyond repair
• Likewise, inspect the MAF sensor for clog or blockage. Clean the MAF sensor or replace it if damaged beyond what cleaning can solve
• Check for exhaust leaks between the engine and the post catalytic converter O2 sensor, fix any leaks detected
• Having done that, proceed by inspecting the vacuum lines or the intake air tube for any possible defects or disconnection. Ensure the connections are right and repair or replace defective parts as appropriate
• Also, check fuel pressure by conducting a fuel pressure test. If the fuel pressure is high, that is a probable indication of a defect in the fuel pressure regulator. It can also suggest a blockage in the vacuum line linking to the fuel pressure regulator
• Fix this by removing any blockage in the vacuum line
• Lastly, inspect the pre-catalytic converter oxygen sensor for any possible defect and repair as appropriate
• Clear the error code and take the vehicle for a road test to see if the code returns
• You should consider replacing the pre-catalytic converter O2 sensor if the error persists after the diagnosis

Common mistakes

Although, failure of the Oxygen sensor has been a common cause of this OBD-II trouble code, hastily replacing the O2 sensor without conducting further tests is not ideal. As much as O2 sensor failure is responsible for DTC Code P2196, other failures could equally be responsible for this trouble code.

Hence, before resolving to replace parts, ensure to spend time inspecting other parts as listed above to detect possible causes.

How Serious is P2196?

At the early stage of this trouble code, the effects on the vehicle are at minimal, you are likely to experience the normal symptoms that indicate the presence of the trouble code. What you are certain to experience at an early stage includes reduced fuel economy, rough running of the engine, among others.

However, if this code persists for a long time, it may cause more damage to the vehicle and can lead to a high repair cost. Unrepaired DTC Code P2196 can lead to more damage to the vehicle’s components such as burnt valves or damaged catalytic converter. More so, although very rare, prolonged DTC Code P2196 in a vehicle may cause the catalytic converter to catch fire.

What Repairs Can Fix P2196?

As additional repairs for this trouble code, you can carry out the following repairs:

• Replace the fuel pressure regulator and the MAF sensor
• Repair any defective wiring to the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) and replace the ECT itself
• Change or replace any defective fuel injector(s)
• Fix damaged wiring in the system
• Lastly, replace the Oxygen sensor

Conclusion

Conclusively, it is a misconception to deduce that a rich condition is an effect of too much fuel being injected into the vehicle. In truth, it is a result of a high fuel ratio in proportion to a lesser air ratio. Thus, ascertaining the term "air-fuel ratio". This should be kept in mind when dealing with DTC Code P2196.