P2180 System too rich when idle bank 2

OBD-II DTC Datasheet

System too rich when idle, bank 2

What does this mean?

This Generic Transmission / Engine DTC is commonly applied to fuel injection engines from most European and Asian manufacturers since 2010.

These manufacturers include, but are not limited to Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes, BMW / Mini, Hyundai, Mazda, Kia, and Infiniti. You can also see this engine code on Dodge and other models.

This code mainly refers to the value provided by the air / fuel ratio sensor, more commonly called the oxygen sensor (located in the exhaust), which helps the vehicle's PCM (powertrain control module) monitor the amount of fuel injected into the engine. In particular, the PCM detects a rich state, which means too much fuel in the air / fuel ratio. This code is set for bank 2, which does not include cylinder number 1.... This could be a mechanical problem or an electrical fault, depending on the vehicle manufacturer and the fuel system.

Troubleshooting steps may vary by manufacturer, fuel system type, mass air flow (MAF) sensor type and wire colors, and air / fuel / oxygen ratio (AFR / O2) sensor type and wire colors.

symptoms

Symptoms of a P2180 engine code may include:

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated
Lack of power
Random misfires
Poor fuel economy

reasons

Possible reasons for setting this code:

Faulty bank 2 air / fuel ratio / oxygen sensor (AFR / O2)
Faulty mass air flow (MAF) sensor
Rare - Faulty Powertrain Control Module (PCM)

Diagnostic and repair procedures

A good starting point is always to check the Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) for your particular vehicle. Your problem may be a known issue with a known manufacturer-released fix and could save you time and money while troubleshooting.

First, look for other DTCs. If any of them are related to the fuel / fuel system, diagnose them first. A misdiagnosis is known to occur if a technician diagnoses this code before any fuel related system codes are thoroughly diagnosed and rejected.

Then find the air / fuel / oxygen ratio sensor and MAF sensor on your specific vehicle. Here is an example of an MAF sensor:

Once detected, visually inspect the connectors and wiring. Look for scuffs, scuffs, exposed wires, burn marks, or molten plastic. Disconnect the connectors and carefully inspect the terminals (metal parts) inside the connectors. See if they look rusty, burnt, or possibly green compared to the usual metallic color you're probably used to seeing. You can purchase electrical contact tool at any parts store if you need to replace the terminals. If that's not possible, find 91 percent rubbing alcohol and a light plastic bristle brush to enrich them. Then let them air dry, take a dielectric silicone compound (the same material they use for bulb holders and spark plug wires) and place where the terminals make contact.

If you have a scan tool, clear the diagnostic trouble codes from memory and see if the code returns. If this is not the case, then there is most likely a connection problem.

If the code returns, we will need to check the MAF sensor voltage signal on the PCM. Monitor the scan tool MAF sensor voltage. If a scan tool is not available, check the signal from the MAF sensor with a digital volt ohm meter (DVOM). With the sensor connected, the red voltmeter wire must be connected to the signal wire of the MAF sensor and the black voltmeter wire must be connected to ground. Start the engine and observe the MAF sensor input. As the engine speed increases, the MAF sensor signal should increase. Check the manufacturer's specs, as there may be a table informing you of how much voltage should be at a given RPM. If this fails, replace the MAF sensor and recheck.

If the previous tests pass and the code is still present, check the air / fuel / oxygen ratio (AFR / O2) sensor. If it continually indicates that the engine is running on a rich mixture, identify any possibilities that can lead to rich engine operation. These include:

Fuel system including fuel pressure / fuel pressure regulator.
Fuel pressure sensor
Fuel injectors
O2 sensor after catalytic converter
EVAP system, including the canister purge regulator valve.
If the Bank 2 AFR / O2 sensor indicates that the engine is operating normally or even lean, the PCM can be suspected if all other problems have been corrected.

Again, it cannot be stressed enough that all other codes must be diagnosed before this, since problems that cause other codes to be set can also cause this code to be set.

Related DTC discussions

There are currently no related topics in our forums. Post a new topic on the forum now.

Need more help with your p2180 code?

If you still need help with DTC P2180, post a question in the comments below this article.

NOTE. This information is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used as a repair recommendation and we are not responsible for any action you take on any vehicle. All information on this site is protected by copyright.