About the FAMOUS P0171 DTC (diagnostic troubleshooting code). If the PCM detect a lean condition (roughly 15% leaner than stock or more lean), this code sets ON and throw the CEL Check Engine Light. For those with a CAI or only a high flow filter, you probably know it.

This doesn't necessarly means the air fuel mixture is too lean, but the problem is if you run your car with already one CEL ON, you will never know if another code (coming from another different problem is coming.

Here is a quick fix for it :

Just install a MAF translator (like the one INTENSE sells; you have to cut some electrical wires) or a Mini AFC 2.2 (like the one ZZPerformance sells; plug and play).

Once your MAF translator is installed, a quick correction of only 5 % of the MAF signal will get the job done.

Hope this help !

 

That's an expensive fix for the damn CEL.

 

Yes, but if you get another CEL, you will never know it, and possibly blow the engine ! It will be damn more expensive.

 

So the one from zz performance is a plug and play?? If thats the case then i might get that right away. Would be anyhting else i would need to get with that for it to work properly??

 

Chevypowered it's difficult to say without seeing your air fuel ratio curve ...

 

^^^ I have one on my dyno when i just had the intake and 3" pulley if that would be helpful

 

So is there really no way to not make the CEL come on because i am going to wait for the 06 model of the K&N CAI and hopefully with that they will have a fix that will stop the CEL'S coming on, the 06 model of the CAI for the 06 Cobalt SS/SC is supposed to be out in 3/4 weeks

 

That my friend is why Onstar hates me..... i check once a week.....hey its free!!

 

Why bother. Odds are the stage 1/2 reflash will fix the lean code problem.

If your worried about another problem being masked by the lean CEL install and Aeroforce Interceptor scan gage. You can check the code list any time you want and besides that the scan gage is cool anyway. GM should make them an option.

 

I will give it shot with the DTEC and let you know how it ended up.

 

the zzp unit is plug and play.

 

Well as for the P0171 lean code . Hopefully there will be a fix before long , i have been working with my local Dealer and GM Tech Support to record Data When the Check Engine light comes on . They are Analyising The Data set when the P0171 code appears and also the Idle Fluctuation Problem . It took a lot of persistant complaints, But we are now getting somewhere . They are finally past blaming it on my CAI and trying to resolve the problem , i will keep you posted on any outcomes we have .

Here are a couple pics of the Data recorder .









Pics Are bigger in the gallery .....

 

Do the folks at Intense know how to tune w/ the Mini AFC? If it has the same tuning potential as the MAF-T I think it would be a nice plug n play solution. As far as the CEL goes, I still get mine. I noticed it comes on *only* when I am near an empty tank, other than that it never rears it's ugly end. It's nice to know there is a solution to the problem though.

 

Well I turned up the MAF 5% accross the board on the DTEC and the LT Fuel Trim is a lot lower now. As long as it stays below 20% no CEL.

I am always below 10% LT Fuel Trim with +5% to the MAF signal. I will monitor it the next couple days.

 

So my advice seem to work Zinner ???

 

i noticed in your sig it say manual boost control on the bypass solenoid,
do you have an pics of your install, simply because as a technician i would never just unplug a line or leave it dangling

sounds like a better alternative

 

It's not installed yet ...

 

Seems to be working, if I don't get a CEL over the next week I will be convinced entirly.

 

When you install a CAI, the MAF signal is XX% higher, providing a leaner condition (reistered by the 02 signal), so the PCM throw more fuel (can be saw with the fuel trims).

So I'm kinda a bit confused, I was thinking that you get the MAF signal LOWERED by 5% to get the job done. ???

 

Nope I raised it 5%. It would make sense that if you register a lean condition you would want to tell the PCM you are getting more air so it can add more fuel?

I think the MAF isn't registering all the air moving through the intake, so I used the DTEC to tell the PCM it's getting more air.

 

Bingo!

But now you just may need to battle through some of the intake flow "rationality" diagnostic errors.(P0068, P0101, P0106,P0121, P01182 etc) However, I have found these may not start appearing until you have driven for many days OR immediately after you have cleared the DTCs with a Tech2. I beieve this is because some of the models used are "gated" and once it PASSES the diagnostic will not run again until a defined interval elapses (doesnt neccessarily run on next ign cycle) unless you clear the DTCs then it initiates the modelling on the very next ignition/trip cycle. Some of these can be tweaked out with "adjustments" to IAT or MAP/SCIP.
Do you have access to a scan tool or have an Interceptor gage by chance??

WopOnTour

 

I wish GM would release a reflash with updated parameters. This a know problem on completely stock 05 and 06 SS's.

 

To adjust fueling properly you need to scan your car and only add fueling where you need it. The MAFT does not allow you to do that, the AFC 2.2 does.
Here's a comparison of the two:
http://zzperformance.com/cobalt_ion/articles1.php?id=51

 

I've notice people are not throw P0171 with the Injen intake. I think the design of the intake where it postions the MAF higher on the intake and the piping in that section is a little smaller than stock allows for a better flow reading of the incoming air. Also this would cause the incoming air to be a lot less turbulant. I just do not like how close the stock MAF was to the air inlet. BUT I could be totally wrong.

 

i was thinking that too, but then again i dont have an injen