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So after reading many posts and forums about the P0171 trouble code, there is a very large likelyhood that there is a vaccum leak in the system. Here's how I went about checking it out:

Get a good source of light (if it's at all dark)

Get a can of carb cleaner, ether, wd40, or similar, best if has a small straw spray tube.

Open hood, remove engine cover, if neccessary.

Start engine.

On the right hand side of the radiator support, directly behind the headlamp should be a routing diagram for your vaccum sysem. start at one end (doesnt matter which, I started at the back side, at the MAP sensor)

Check the vac line for brittleness, cracks, or worn rubber boots. spray a bit of your carb cleaner, ether, etc around the joints. -if your idle speed changes, you've found a vac leak. if no, continue on.

Keep working down each line, depending on the year, there are a few different ones around the S/C, some under the snout, some on top. spray each joint after checking for brittle/broken hoses.

I checked all of my vac lines, and didnt seem to find anything. a bit frustrating to say the least.

So then I said to myself... I should check the operation of the Boost Bypass Valve (BBV), it's got some kind of diaphragm in it, and it's connected to the vac lines.

So I start to look at the BBV, and notice that the top half (that has the vac line on it) is only half glued on! with my nudging, the whole top half comes out, revealing the gasket, spring, and plunger diaphragm inside.

So this isnt good! need to fix this!

So I thought and thought... what the heck... I'LL DUCT TAPE IT!

VOILA!!!! IT'S FIXED!!!

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