Help: Engine Code 45

Multra Corakus · Post by **Multra Corakus** » April 13th, 2007, 11:37 am

My 2001 ITR is throwing code 45 (System Too Lean or Too Rich malfunction in the fuel monitoring systems). I've had this code for a while and have tried several things that did not fix it. I have new plugs (Bosch +4 platinum), distributor, and OEM O2 sensor. My ECU is not stock (I have like 3). I'm going to try using different ECUs.

I'm really at a loss when it comes to this problem. My car is stock. No other engine codes are showing at this time. Any ideas? My Fuel air gauge reads in the red range, but I don't know if it is accurate, that car seems to run fine. I hear nothing out of the ordinary.

Bbasso · Post by **Bbasso** » April 13th, 2007, 1:16 pm

what do you mean your ecu is not stock and you have 3 ?
You lost me there.

BudMan · Post by **BudMan** » April 13th, 2007, 4:26 pm

I'm confused as well. If you have an all stock ITR motor, why don't you have the stock ecu?

More detail needed.

9dee7_itr · Post by **9dee7_itr** » April 16th, 2007, 6:18 pm

I'm throwing the same code right now. It started not too long after having my valves adjusted. I replaced, cap & rotor, spark plugs, and 02 sensors twice.

I think that maybe my valves were adjusted while the engine was too warm.

I have to replace my timing belt/waterpump, once I pull the car out of storage, so I will have them re-adjusted then. Hopefully that solves my problem.

Does anyone else know what else could wrong?

Thanks

heel_touge · Post by **heel_touge** » April 16th, 2007, 6:27 pm

are you using an obd1 jumper harness?

it sounds like your O2 sensor is taking a shit. but there must be a reason for it fouling out. most likely your "tuned" ecu.

if your still obd2 i would suggest you put your untouched P73 back in there and worry about the ecu tuning later when you have parts worth tuning.

Bosch plugs blow. ditch them and get a set of NGK's you will most likely need to replace the o2 sensor now as well.

good luck you have started yourself on the downward spiral of poor tuning. its a chaineffect of badness and everything needs to be fixed all at once or you'll be playing this game forever.

Multra Corakus · Post by **Multra Corakus** » April 16th, 2007, 10:57 pm

Sorry about the confusion. I have an OBD2 ECU in the car, and two additional unmarked integra ECUs lying around. The current ECU in the car was put in by Honda because the old one was stolen. Anyways, if the problem is my O2 sensor, wouldn't I get an engine code for that as well? I'll try to get more info after I investigate this fuel/air problem further.

heel_touge · Post by **heel_touge** » April 17th, 2007, 6:54 am

your o2 sensor IS one of your fuel monitoring systems.

Multra Corakus · Post by **Multra Corakus** » April 20th, 2007, 10:06 am

Oh, ok! Thanks.

Major_Wolf · Post by **Major_Wolf** » April 20th, 2007, 2:30 pm

I dont understand that.Why u change your ecu IFFF you're stock???Maybe with that ecu or those ecu,you are to rich....

tewee · Post by **tewee** » April 21st, 2007, 2:09 am

9dee7_itr wrote:I'm throwing the same code right now. It started not too long after having my valves adjusted. I replaced, cap & rotor, spark plugs, and 02 sensors twice.
...
...
Does anyone else know what else could wrong?

Thanks

i also had that code, adjusted my valves when my engine was dead cold. no problems since.

ITR 1102 / MOVE OVER · April 21st, 2007, 3:08 pm

When I had this same issue, I did every step in the Helms manual. The very last cause for that code is incorrect valve clearance. Once I checked and adjusted that, I was no longer too rich. Give it a shot.

Multra Corakus · Post by **Multra Corakus** » April 25th, 2007, 12:22 pm

I'll take a look. I've never done it before, but I've got the service and repair manual. Thanks for the help.

Multra Corakus · Post by **Multra Corakus** » April 25th, 2007, 9:08 pm

Just to make sure, what is the stock valve clearance supposed to be? My manual says .003-.005 in (.08-.12mm) for intake and .006-.008 in (.16-.20mm) for exhaust.

I'm asking because apparently I wasn't sensitive enough and now my car won't start. It just turns the camshaft, so I'm trying the adjustment again.

ITR 1102 / MOVE OVER · April 25th, 2007, 11:36 pm

I don't recall the clearances off the top of my head, but there should be a sticker on the underneath side of your hood near your battery with that information.

Multra Corakus · Post by **Multra Corakus** » April 26th, 2007, 12:05 am

It works! I readjusted the second time (took me all day today), but it starts and sounds pretty good. I reset the ECU and let it run without any loads for 10 min. After that I took it on a short test drive and accelerated at full throttle. Sounds great! So far no check engine light! I hope this fixed the problem. Only time will tell and a little more driving...

Multra Corakus · Post by **Multra Corakus** » April 28th, 2007, 2:47 pm

Okay, the good news is code 45 isn't coming back, but now I'm getting code 1 for the O2 sensor. I noticed my car hesitated a few times while driving before the check engine light came on.

Fortunately, it's only flashing code 1. So I'm going to replace the O2 sensor and see if that finishes it once and for all.

9dee7_itr · Post by **9dee7_itr** » May 2nd, 2007, 11:05 am

I re-adjusted my valves the other day. The tech that had previously done it before storing my car for the winter, over tightened the valves.

Now that they are adjusted to stock specs, the car runs extremely well. No CEL anymore.

So I solved my problem. Thanks guys

Multra Corakus · Post by **Multra Corakus** » May 2nd, 2007, 6:17 pm

Okay, my check engine light came back on. It didn’t fix the problem. However, I hooked up an OBDII reader and got the following code: P0172 System too Rich (Bank 1).

As for CEL codes I got 1 (02 sensor) & 45 (too rich again). I’m going to replace the O2 sensor and see what happens, but I need help with the PO172 code. Any suggestions as to what this could be? Fuel injector? Help please.

9dee7_itr · Post by **9dee7_itr** » May 2nd, 2007, 11:41 pm

Are you sure that the valves are adjusted properly? I was throwing a P0172 which is the same as a code 45. Once I adjusted the valves properly,it went away.

Trying taking your secondary 02 sensor from the cat and switching it with your Primary 02 sensor. It saves you from buying a new one from the dealer.

Try that. if your CEL comes back on and reads faulty secondary, the you know that your primary 02 was shot.

If that doesn't work try running a fuel system cleaner. I suggest using the Motul one.

Good Luck

Multra Corakus · Post by **Multra Corakus** » May 3rd, 2007, 6:43 pm

I'm sure I adjusted them correctly. I checked and re-checked each valve clearance with a gauge feeler. I'll give your other two suggestions a try. Thanks.