Author Topic: Check engine code 1222 (Read 8495 times)

vonkamp · « **on:** April 14, 2008, 05:42:43 PM »

From the Motronic pedal fault code:

1222 Lambda Control 1 This code is stored when the DME detects excessive
deviations in the air-fuel mixture (too rich or too lean) for longer
than 10 seconds. Possible causes: Fuel tank ran empty,
Incorrect Fuel Pressure, Injector valve defective or coked,
Engine Temperature Sensor defective, Secondary air leak,
Fuel evaporation control system defective, Air Flow Meter
defective and/or the combustion is being disturbed by
mechanical failure (Spark plugs,, compression,
intake/exhaust valves, ...etc.)

Is there a common fix for this? I know my air boot is cracked in several places and needs replaced. Was kind of hoping it is that as it would be a cheap, easy fix.

bmwman91 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 14, 2008, 05:49:04 PM »

Well, this is a tricky one sometimes. It can be a vacuum leak, and if your intake boot is cracked i would start there. I found ti to be an improperly calibrated AFM that was running the motor lean and overheating my EGO sensor at times, but that is more a case for my MAF conversion & aftermarket EGO sensor.

Your EGO sensor may well be pooped out as well. When do you get the CEL?

vonkamp · « **Reply #2 on:** April 14, 2008, 06:09:34 PM »

Quote

Your EGO sensor may well be pooped out as well. When do you get the CEL?

About 10 seconds after engine comes down to idle.
Thanks,
Von

bmwman91 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 14, 2008, 09:38:53 PM »

DOes it stay on for the rest of the time the motor is running? Does it go away when you let off the throttle, or floor it, then go away for good once the motor warms up? Do you get it after revving the motor over 4500RPM?

vonkamp · « **Reply #4 on:** April 15, 2008, 02:40:14 PM »

Quote

DOes it stay on for the rest of the time the motor is running? Does it go away when you let off the throttle, or floor it, then go away for good once the motor warms up? Do you get it after revving the motor over 4500RPM?

No to all...

The CEL comes on only at idle. I can just lightly tap the gas and get it over 1000 rpm & it goes out. It is never on unless it goes to idle for more than a few seconds.
When I bought the car, it was idling high (about 1200 rpm). I adjusted the throttle cable to drop the idle and that's when the light started coming on. I suspect the guy selling the car bumped the idle up so I would not see the CEL light come on when I test drove it.

Got an air boot on order from Pelican and I'm going to change out my vacuum hoses this weekend. Any other ideas?

Thanks again,
Von

bmwman91 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 17, 2008, 09:21:47 AM »

Hmm, well at least it doesn't sound like it hurts the car's driving. Is your mileage generally OK?

I would almost say it is a dirty ICV. Try pulling it off and running some carb cleaner through it. Perhaps it is getting stuck or something? Is the idle smooth even with the CEL on?

vonkamp · « **Reply #6 on:** May 06, 2008, 04:21:31 PM »

Okay, I changed out the air boot and all the vacuum lines. also did the throttle body delete while I was at it. What a difference! I thought the car was running well before I did this and now it runs great. The only thing that did not go well was bleeding the cooling system as I broke the plastic bleed screw and now I have a huge engine compartment mess to clean up. :mad:

My fault code 1222 is still there. Is there a way to reset it or do I still have a problem? My CEL light does not come on any more.

Thanks for all the help and the great how to section here. This is a great site!

Cobra Jet · « **Reply #7 on:** May 06, 2008, 10:05:38 PM »

To reset the DME, just remove the positive (+) battery cable for about a good 10 minutes. After the 10 mins, just reattach and check to see if the stored codes are gone. If you get a 1444 after trying to extract the codes, the DME is now clear with no fault codes.

Berlin · « **Reply #8 on:** August 22, 2008, 07:50:18 PM »

Hey guys,

i just changed the air filter and cleaned my engine bay out with some compressed air, i guess i must've sprayed the wrong thing but now the car won't run (starts and immediatley dies out like its too rich) and it throws this code 1222.... what's the cheapest/easiest thing to check/replace first?

AcSchnitzer318is · « **Reply #9 on:** August 23, 2008, 11:02:59 AM »

From a fault code site:

1222 - Lambda control fault code is produced when Motronic system in Bosch control unit receives signal indicating that air/fuel mixture is either excessively rich or excessively lean for period of time loner then 10 seconds. Majority of the causes that affect drivability of the car can be responsible for DME flashing this error:

* air leak
* defective Air Flow Meter ( AFM)
* bad engine temperature sensor
* incorrect fuel pressure
* problem with injector(s)
* defective evaporation system
* empty gas tank
* issue with spark plugs
* problem with valves
* etc.