So the CEL showed up again, for like the 6th time. Yeihhh!

Anyway I posted this thread while back: https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/general-cobalt-68/angry-my-balt-124502/

When I posted that I had the 3rd CEL. Then I'm like "I just gonna disconnect the battery, clear the code and see what happens." Well it cleared and the light did not showed up for almost two months, don't know why. Then I noticed a week ago the car's idle was kinda rough and yeap light came up again, cleared it and showed up once again yesterday. Took it to the stealership and they found the P0171 code (the "intake code"), what I expected, and said that code is for "running lean". So I did couple searches for possible causes here and read that cleaning the MAF sensor would help. So I cleaned the sensor couple hours ago with a MAF cleaner, but idle did not seem to have improved. Maybe I'll drive the car some more to see if it improves.

BUT.... I also found this :



That's the MAF sensor connector. It is possible to see the wires, but I did not see any damage to them, just to the plastic insulation. IDK how this happen. Quick recap: I carefully installed the CAI myself the first time. Then I had a little accident and CAI got busted, so the body shop installed a new one, maybe they damaged it? Well i just placed a lil electrical tape around the wires.

So I'd like to know possible causes for the CEL and idle problems.

a) Do the wires possibly have to do something with all this?
Will cleaning the sensor and connector fix something?
b) Since I have a history for clogged injectors would it be the fuel I'm using? I always use Premium Shell or BP. Any other gas station I could try?

Possible solutions..??:

c) Is it possible to add fuel system/injector cleaner once in a while? Is it safe?
d) If I should get the code again, Should I just like get a OBD scanner and erase the code every time it pops up or just live with it just like some cobalt owners w/aftermarket intake?

Here,s a pic of what I used:




Any other suggestions? Sorry for the long thread, I know they're a lot of questions but any helpful comments would be appreciated.

 

Check your injen hasnt wore through where it goes in to the fender ,any hole after the sensor will give you the code and rough idle problems.

If they did that to your connector I would belive they didnt check the clearances when they installed the injen.
Wiggle it back and forth gently and if you hear it hitting pull it out and check it.

 

I did make some adjustments to the intake, before it was kinda nor sitting where i wanted it to, but now its OK. I did not see any damage to the filter or the intake itself.

BUMP for more comments!

 

If its the p107 you in fact have.

Start checking all your vacuum lines then if you think it has nothing to do with the maf or intake.

Is the Dip stick O ring in good condition.

 

I have the same problem...

I installed my 3'' Rebel Autoworxs CAI on my SS 2.4 and my first time waiting at an intersection (idle) for about a minute it came on. It goes away then comes back, and each time it comes on it's when I'm idling.


The guys at Rebel say I need a tune, since this intake has such low restrictions that my car sucks in too much air and therefore runs lean at low RPM's....



Now I don't know what to do... reinstall my GMPP intake and sell this intake.... or keep it and live with the CEL (which I can't handle...)


I would have thought that the MAF reads how much air enters the intake and compensates with the injectors. Could this be due to the fact that our SS 2.4 injectors are almost maxed out stock? So my injectors are trying to compensate by shooting more fuel but they can't since they are maxed out at low RPM's?

 

I dont think its normal for the CEL to come on and off like you are saying. But yeah, that's a major problem with going aftermaket on the CAI. Either put the stock back on, tune it, or live with CEL . You can't do nothing else.

BTW after I cleaned my MAF sensor and put some injector cleaner to my gas tank, my Balt has been running better. No CEL... yet.