So this may be stupid to a couple of you guys but its sort of starting to worry me.

first thing. here are my performance mods:
AEM CAI, 3inch Bad Mab Header, 3inch to 2.5inch ZZP downpipe, and 2.5inch Corsa Touring Catback

so heres the story, when i put the CAI on 2 Junes ago, my CEL came on for a lean code so i just deleted it and it went away for a full year.

until last april when i went to myrtle beach in my car which is like a 850 mile drive from my house. when we were leaving at 4 in the morning my CEL came on again and i just assumed it was a lean code again so i left it and we started driving. after about 45 minutes it went away.

and then. i had nothing until i found that i had a fuel leak from my fuel pump and i got chevy to replace the part for pretty cheap. anyway. that was i wanna say about 3 weeks ago. i had no problems and everything was good. but when i found my fuel leak by putting my car on a lift at work i noticed my corsa catback had an exhaust leak from the resonator. so i called them blah blah and they sent me a new one. so i replaced it like 10 days ago and that day after about an hour of driving i threw another lean code and i just deleted the code.

then last night the code came on again. i read the code and again its a lean code.

now i dont think that a new resonator could throw a lean code but its just ironic that the day i replaced it the light came on. now. ive cleaned my air filter once before and it was over the summer but i have never cleaned my MAF sensor. i just wanna know if there is anything common in these cars that causes lean codes other than just a CAI or if even the new resonator could cause it. thanks for any help u guys give me.

 

I've been getting that code for like 2 years. lol

 

get a tune. problems will go away

 

Cai untuned = cel / tune = gone!!!

 

i plan on it but after i do some power mods. zzp's stage 3 and such.

 

not for nothing chevycobaltss3, can you tune my car without me comming to you? well im sure you could but would you be able to do a good tune?.. because i plan on comming to you

 

I've been getting the lean code on and off for a couple years as well. The car still runs good. It's gotta be the cai and being untuned for it

 

so u guys really dont think its anything going wrong with the car? haha

 

How a system works within the ecm is there are maf/ ve/ ( fueling calibrations along with fueling calculations and corrections) Once somthing is added to the car that was not on the car from the factory you have a chance skewing these calibrations up. Ecspecially if you are around the flow of air. (CAI). So if your car throws a p0171 this means your off enough to cause this cel which is usually 10-15% off in fuel. Your car can still work through this to get your caommanded afr but this is why we (tuners) tune cars. To get the full potential out of the car. The more the ecm has to work to get the commanded afr the less time it has to keep a considerate amount of power (that you should be getting but cant).. I hope this helps..

 

This^^

 

My 06 SS/SC had this code pop when it was new and stock..... GM had a TSB out for this where they changed the calibration because the maf was so sensitive ....... after they flashed the updated calibration I didn't have any issues . I had a AEM intake with GM stage II and no codes.


Found the TSB

#06-06-04-033: 2.0L/2.2L LSJ/L61 Engine Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)/Service Engine Soon (SES) Lamp Illuminated with DTC P0171, Fuel Trim System Lean, Set (Reprogram ECM) - (Jun 21, 2006)


Subject: L61 Engine Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)/Service Engine Soon (SES) Lamp Illuminated with DTC P0171 "Fuel Trim System Lean" Set (Reprogram ECM)


Models: 2005-2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, Cobalt SS Supercharged

2006 Chevrolet HHR

2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu

2005-2006 Pontiac Pursuit (Canada Only)

2004-2005 Saturn ION Redline

2005-2006 Saturn ION

with Ecotec™ 2.0L or 2.2L I-4 Engine (VINs P, F - RPOs LSJ, L61)




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Condition
Some customer may comment that the MIL/SES lamp is Illuminated. Further diagnostic investigation with a scan tool may reveal a DTC P0171 Fuel Trim System Lean. No other driveability or performance concerns may be reported.

Cause
The most likely cause of this issue may be that the engine calibrations need to be updated to correct a variation in the Mass Air Flow Sensor.

Correction
DO NOT replace the MAF sensor, the ECM or any other parts.

 

dose the computer need to be turned to make this code go away i done a maf sensor replacement how 3inch exsalsted and headers also just the front 02 replaced should i do the tune?

 

I always remembered hearing about this back in the day.

That's why I was happy to have a later model 07'. All the small issues from the earlier models were corrected

 

I know this is a old post but I'm having the same issue.. cel p0171 but when I'm at a steady rpm in a gear about to race my cel flashes did this happen to anyone else?

 

Misfire,
Check for P0300 P0301 P0302 P0303 P0304 or a combination of each.
Also a flashing CEL could be some other malfunction. From what I understand
continueing to operate your engine while the CEL is flashing can result in
engine damage.

 

I have a cracked exhaust manifold.. and I believe that's what's causing. My p0171

 

That'll do it. On decel it will suck in air through the crack and cause it to think it's running lean

 

Yea, I'm waiting for someone to send me a used header now

 

My car throws this code every once in a while. Usually under heavy throttle. If I rev the engine in neutral to around 3K, the code sets but no CEL. 70-90 throttle, code sets & CEL.

She's an 05 SC, probably tuned from previous owners. She's been throwing this code for 2 years now. Runs fine.

 

I can't get my car to 90% throttle for some reason. It stops in at like 87% or something like that. Maybe it's 89. Id have to check my interceptor again and see.