hey guys, i have some issues/concerns with my 06 cobalt ss/sc. as all 06 ss/sc owners you know of the recalls like the power steering, the cat converter, as well as the gas lines. This past friday i took my car in to get them taken care of but all they would do is the power steering. i re-read my letter i received that mentions the cat converter. it states not to take it in unless i feel that my vehicle has decreased engine power and the check engine light is on. the light comes on every now and then and the code i get is "P0171" which im not sure i understand what that means. Now should i be able to call the dealership and tell them to fix the car since they messed up somewhere down the line if i bring the paper in.

As well as the code, i had a lot of work done when i was home like the O2 sensors being cleaned, the spark plugs changed, air filter cleaned out, and more but i dont have the paper work that states it all, does anybody know what else could be the issue of the sensor coming on? the dealership tried to hit me with, "its because you have an aftermarket air filter on" now is that actually possible?

and a question that doesnt revolve around the codes or recalls, im driving my car the way i always do, but im loosing mpg, i went from 27-28, was gone for two months doing the navy thing and now that im driving im in like low 20s, does anybody know what could be affecting this? i dont know much about cars so im asking for help, i need to get this fixed so i can pass an inspection and be able to register my car in my home state.

thanks guys

 

Hello michaeljames1989,

Would you be willing to PM me your VIN so I could look into this for you?

Thanks,
Laura
Chevrolet Customer Service

 

P0171 is a lean code.

The biggest thing with the cat is are you overboosting? If your stock you should be running 12 or so PSI.

The code is most likeley from an intake if you have one.

Joel

 

thats what the dealership was telling me, but i wasnt able to tell if they were being serious or just messing with me

 

Yes an aftermarket intake can cause a lean code without a tune. Which one do you have?

As far as the cat goes, unless you feel decreased engine power and your overboosting, I wouldn't bother yourself with it.

You can get rid of the intake code with a tune, or get an intake that won't screw with your MAF. It's $200+ for another intake though, so you might as well just get a stage kit/tune from a reputable vendor if you went that route.

You are stock minus intake right?

Joel

P.S.

Nice to see a fellow Canuck, you should venture to the Canadian Mid West section near the bottom some time. .

 

I bought the car from a used dealership and the car had a K&N intake on it, and i just want to get this fixed so it will pass inspection since Texas wont let me until it passes and the check engine light is preventing me from passing...but other than that once i get her fixed and up to speed, as much as i love her if i can afford it she might get used as a trade in so i can have a car thats brand new and can hope everything is right with her

 

Well if you simply need to pass inspection, find someone with a stock intake and put it on. Many people have them lying around.

Joel.

 

too bad the only person who has the same car as me threw his stock intake away, but from what ive been informed by some people on my ship that i should take it to a dyno shop and get it tuned and have it fixed there, from there the code should go away and i can roll from there

 

you're in the DFW metro, there are tons of stock intakes laying around. Hell, I have mine stashed at my parents house who live there. Post up on the Texas thread or check out dfwgmelite.com

 

Can you delete the code with a scanner from Autozone right before you let them inspect it? It probably wont come back on for a few miles after they look.

If you have an 06 SS/SC and have a K&N Intake, I strongly suggest that you check the clearance between the intake, and the brake lines. I had a problem where my intake was hitting my brake lines. Check between the intake and the PCM also. There might even be a hole in the intake from the PCM rubbing on it. This hole would also give you a lean code.