This is an error code that you will come across if you have a Chevy or GMC vehicle. The error code says, "Fuel trim cylinder balance bank 1" in most cases. There is another code closely related to that, which is P1175, and instead of balance bank 1, it will have balance bank 2.
I have had my share of P1174 error codes as an auto technician, and let me tell you, it's not that hard to fix. Also, it's pretty easy to understand the codes. They just indicate that there is an imbalance in the air to fuel ratio of your car. It can either be too lean, or it can be too rich.
When it's too lean, that means you have little fuel compared to air. And when it's too rich, this means you have too much fuel compared to air. What you want here is a balance of fuel and air.
Well, knowing this doesn't help you at all in practicality. That's why I will take you through something that will help you. I will describe the symptoms, causes, and fixes below, so stick with me here.
Related: P1744 FORD Code
Symptoms and causes of the error code
Some several symptoms and causes come with this error code. You can consider these symptoms for a bad AFR or air to fuel ratio. So, let's check them out quickly –
- An obvious symptom is the check engine light being on. Since it's an issue with your engine, you will see that light turning on whenever you are in the car.
- You will also face issues like rough idling with your car.
- Sometimes the engine will misfire due to this error code.
- A decrease in engine performance can also indicate this problem.
- Your fuel economy starts going bad when this problem occurs.
Now, whenever you see these symptoms in your car, they partially indicate the problem. The reason I say somewhat is that these symptoms can also be caused by other issues. Whatever the case is, when you see these, you start looking for the following causes.
- One of the most common causes of this problem is a faulty oxygen sensor in your car engine, especially if you have a Chevy, because this is a pretty common problem with Chevys.
- Another probable cause for this problem is a faulty mass airflow sensor. Or sometimes, this problem arises if the airflow sensor is dirty.
- Another cause of the problem that you may come across is a fault in the fuel injectors. This can be anything like clogging, failure to shut down, or opening.
Usually, these are the causes that initiate that error code. So, whenever you get the error code, you can assume one of these things has gone wrong.
How to fix the error code
Well, the great thing about this error code is you can quickly fix the problem. It doesn't take much work to correct the problem. Once you figure out the cause of the problem, you can fix it. So, let's check out the fixes that you can try.
- If you see your oxygen sensor having issues, you can replace the existing one with a new one. It's something you can do yourself, so there is nothing to worry about either. Also, an oxygen sensor doesn't cost too much either.
- With the mass airflow sensor, you have to determine what the problem is. If it's only dirty, then you can clean it or free it from the clog. But if it's faulty, then you may need to replace the whole thing.
- Similar to the mass airflow sensor, your fuel injector can also be clogged or damaged. If it's clogged, then try cleaning it, and if it's damaged, you can get it replaced.
Related: Chevy 6.0 engine problems
Conclusion
All in all, the P1174 code isn't something you need to worry about immediately. Because it can have performance issues, or it can just be an issue where the check engine light stays on. A pro tip for you, if there are no performance issues, then it's mostly a faulty oxygen sensor. Either way, it's good to identify the problem and get it fixed.
Simon graduated with a Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Degree. He has over 20 years of servicing experience in both Japanese and German car dealerships. He now acts as a freelance mechanic’s instructor for local schools.
Great explanations
Thank you