Pops has an 04 2wd 5.4 with 33k on it.

The check engine light came on today. The codes he got was P2196 and P2198.
It says bank 1 sensor 1 stuck rich and bank 2 sensor 1 stuck rich. This is all that the scan tool says about the code.

He is going to take it to the dealership, but what does this mean? Any idea whats wrong?

 

Those are your O2 sensors one in each exhaust manifold.

 

This is where the magic of codes and computers causes problems. The consumer says, "Put it on the computer and find out what is wrong with it". He feels that the computer will tell the tech exactly what is wrong with the engine so it will be a quick (inexpensive) fix. What are the odds of two sensors going bad??

The sensors are reacting to the amount of oxygen they read in the exhaust stream. Their readings are probably accurate so although they are both stuck "rich" they are only reporting on what the condition of the exhaust is. Since they are "rich" (excess of fuel or absence of oxygen) combustion is taking place rather than a clean miss on a cylinder in each bank. This is where the tech earns his/her money. Why are they rich?? The system could be over fueling due to an inaccurate data stream from another sensor. A coolant temperature sensor reporting low coolant temps will drive the system rich as that is what is needed on a cold engine. A thermostat could be stuck, coolant level could be low, an electrical connection could be faulty. All these could cause a temp sensor to report inaccurate info and drive the O2 sensors rich. A mouse could have built a home in your air cleaner choking off the supply of air causing a rich mixture.

The tech must take that code info, delve deeper into the info provided from a good scan tool, and look at the readings that all the sensors are providing. Some of the sensors have pretty wide parameters before tripping a code of their own. The manufacturers don't want your dash looking like a pin ball machine and generating a bunch of service visits under warranty. In other words, the detective work can become involved.

Let us know what they found.

 

Did they find your problem and if they did what was the fix????

 

Correct me if I'm wrong (I'm not a tech) but don't the O2 sensors measure oxygen only, and if so when the O2 reads rich doesn't that mean an excess of oxygen which really means the engine is running lean? Excess of air, lack of fuel?

 

Or am I thinking "old school" single wire sensor?

P.S. For the admins. It would be nice if we could edit our own posts rather than posting a second time

P.P.S. This post allowed for an edit (showed edit button) the previous did not, weird or does it have to do with no editing your post after you log out?