B3172 Thames 50 Diagnostic Trouble Code

B3172 Thames 50 code definition:
B3172 is a kind of OBD-II Diagnostic B-Body Diagnostic Trouble Code for Thames 50.

B3172 Thames 50 is described as Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor Circuit Malfunction. This code is strictly about the incoming signal from the FRP (fuel rail pressure) sensor falling below the calibrated limit for a certain period of time. As you drive and when specific conditions are slowly met, the vapors will gradually purge from the charcoal canister and will get burned within your engine.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a B3172 Thames 50 diagnostic trouble code may include:

Poor acceleration
Cherry red hot catalytic converter
Possible spark knock (detonation / pre-ignition)
Rich or lean exhaust

Possible Causes :

Faulty IMRC actuator relay (if equipped)
A large air leak at or near the number one oxygen sensor would also cause a lean mixture.
A plugged converter will cause of host of driveability problems as well as set this code. A severely plugged converter will result in the inability to increase rpm when under load. Look for a code such as P0421 -- catalytic converter efficiency below threshold if the converter indicating a faulty converter.

Common Misdiagnoses

Control Module Throttle Actuator Position Performance Problem
Air Conditioning (A/C) Clutch Feedback Circuit High Voltage Problem
Cruise Vehicle Speed/Set Speed Difference Too High Problem
Kick-Down Switch Failed Short Problem
Park/Neutral Postion (PNP) Switch Circuit Engine Torque Signal Circuit Problem

Repair Processes :

Look for rubbing, scraping, bare wires, worn spots or melted plastic connectors. Pull the connectors apart and carefully look at the terminals (the metal parts) inside the connectors. With the valve disconnected, the red voltmeter lead should be attached to the IMRC valve power wire and the black voltmeter lead connected to ground.

Process Tips

Diagnostic trouble code B3172 Thames 50 is not difficult to diagnose and repair. Thus, it always pays to have a qualified technician to look after your vehicle should this error code arise.

Diagnosing this code requires the engine to be in good running shape, without unmetered air entering the engine. If other codes that relates to misfiring condition, lean running or air entering the engine is present, then you must first fix those error codes before B3172 Thames 50.

Fortunately, B3172 Thames 50 is a fairly common OBD code, meaning that it applies to all makes and models of vehicles made after 1996.