# Check engine light lean code **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [August 24, 2020, 12:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-lean-code/169088 "2020-08-24T00:41:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Darren13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aca169/32.png) [@Darren13](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Darren13)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 12:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-lean-code/169088/1 "2020-08-24T00:41:45Z")
I was driving home the other night and noticed the check engine light came on. Dropped car off at dealer the next day. They ran diagnostics I and was told that the car was running lean but that they were unable to diagnose problem and further testing was necessary. The next day I was told they checked fuel pressure, valves, Maf sensor and ethanol levels in gas. They were all within specs. At that point I was told that it was either an air fuel sensor or bad fuel injectors. They also stated that further examination would be required to determine which one was the problem. I was quoted over $900 for a new air fuel sensor and over $1500 for fuel injectors. It sounded a little steep to me. I have had other issues in the past at the same dealership where they have misdiagnosed a problem. They installed an intake manifold when the problem was a loose spark plug. My vehicle is a 2013 Honda Fit. My question is should I take it to an independent mechanic for a second opinion and a possible lower price on the repair. Thanks. I_emphasized text_ ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 12:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-lean-code/169088/2 "2020-08-24T00:44:02Z")
So? You don’t have any of the DTC codes? Tester ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 12:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-lean-code/169088/3 "2020-08-24T00:49:00Z")
> [@Darren13](#): > > My question is should I take it to an independent mechanic for a second opinion and a possible lower price on the repair. Thanks. Easy question . Yes , you should . ---
**Author:** ![Darren13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aca169/32.png) [@Darren13](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Darren13)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 12:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-lean-code/169088/4 "2020-08-24T00:51:48Z")
They have dtc P01471 on the paperwork. I cannot find that code so I assume he typed it in incorrectly. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 1:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-lean-code/169088/5 "2020-08-24T01:16:11Z")
> [@Darren13](#): > > They have dtc P01471 on the paperwork. I cannot find that code so I assume he typed it in incorrectly. Most likely it was P0171 or P0174, which are lean codes > [@Darren13](#): > > I have had other issues in the past at the same dealership where they have misdiagnosed a problem. They installed an intake manifold when the problem was a loose spark plug. Whoever did that needs to hone their diagnostic skills . . . it wasted a lot of your money > [@Darren13](#): > > My question is should I take it to an independent mechanic for a second opinion and a possible lower price on the repair. Yes, you should get another opinion. The independent shop’s labor rate will be lower, but not drastically lower, and the parts charge will also be moderately lower > [@Darren13](#): > > The next day I was told they checked fuel pressure, valves, Maf sensor and ethanol levels in gas. is your car a flexible-fuel vehicle? > [@Darren13](#): > > . I was quoted over $900 for a new air fuel sensor and over $1500 for fuel injectors I see at least 2 problems with this . . . blaming the air/fuel ratio sensor is most likely a case of shooting the messenger. It signals that whoever’s diagnosing the car probably doesn’t understand how things work. It’s as simple as that. And $1500 for injectors means they’re planning on replacing all 4 injectors in an act of desperation. If they were indeed “unable to diagnose the problem” then they shouldn’t be saying it’s necessary to replace all these parts. ---
**Author:** ![Darren13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aca169/32.png) [@Darren13](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Darren13)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 1:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-lean-code/169088/6 "2020-08-24T01:30:27Z")
Yeah I figured the actual code was P01471. The intake manifold was covered by the warranty. Two years after the loose spark plug issue, the same plug blew and a whole new cylinder head had be installed . Honda did a goodwill repair covering 90 percent of it. The only reason I went back to the same dealer is that I thought maybe this issue was related to the blown plug. My car is not a flex fuel vehicle. I think the mechanic is lazy and due to the dealership being in an affluent area they get away with overcharging and unnecessary repairs. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 2:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-lean-code/169088/7 "2020-08-24T02:14:03Z")
> [@Darren13](#): > > I think the mechanic is lazy It’s more likely the dealership has employed a bunch of inexperienced and/or incompetent mechanics the dealership’s not always the best place to go for an accurate diagnosis and repair New car dealerships have business relationships with certain schools, which blatantly serve as feeder programs. Once they graduate, they’re locked into contracts to work for the dealerships for x number of years. It goes without saying that a 20-year old kid is probably not as sharp or accurate as a guy who’s been at it for 20 years or more ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 4:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-lean-code/169088/8 "2020-08-24T04:06:45Z")
I might be tempted to run a smoke test and see if there are any air leaks since an intake manifold change was done. Was that intake manifold job somewhat recent?