SS/TC Boost issues
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From: CalCo, MD
SS/TC Boost issues
Hey guys. I have a 2009 ss/tc and have been having a strange boost issue lately. Sometimes the car runs great and hits ~14psi but other times it will only push 5-7 psi... Ocasionally it will only let me hit 5 psi, but after a few minutes driving it will hit full boost. Other times it does the opposite. Anyone have any ideas? I took it to the dealer and of course they say everything is fine. FWIW i have a dejon SRI and spring, with a HAHN catless dp waiting to go on...
thanks for any help.
thanks for any help.
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From: CalCo, MD
I'm beginning to think something is wrong with the learn down "feature"...
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From: Tejas
Try doing the "ECU reset" and see if that helps. Unplug your battery for a while with a light on to make sure everything's nice and discharged. Then plug the battery back in and see if it does it anymore.
Last edited by Stamina; Apr 9, 2009 at 07:45 PM. Reason: Typo
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From: CalCo, MD
I was just thinking that too. As soon as i get home ill leave it unplugged for a while.
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From: Tejas
If it's very new, he may be experiencing the "break in" that some people (including me) have/had been experiencing, where the car seems underpowered for a bunch of miles and then back to normal many miles or a couple car starts later. That's still very unusual it's that low though.
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From: CalCo, MD
True, but 5PSI is not normal. I'm in Houston, for instance. On a cold day (around freezing we'll say), sorta near the beach (sea level but not necessarily humid), I should still be getting just about 12-13PSI or so. Of everybody, I should be towards the very bottom of the range of boost with those conditions, since the engine needs the turbo least in those conditions to make the same amount of power. His is less than half of that, so something may be up.
If it's very new, he may be experiencing the "break in" that some people (including me) have/had been experiencing, where the car seems underpowered for a bunch of miles and then back to normal many miles or car starts later.
If it's very new, he may be experiencing the "break in" that some people (including me) have/had been experiencing, where the car seems underpowered for a bunch of miles and then back to normal many miles or car starts later.
It also threw a CEL on the way home - P2187
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From: Tejas
Check the vacuum hoses, BPV, and wastegate to make sure everything's hooked up then (esp with the mods you did.. could have slipped off). You may have a hose that's disconnected and the engine is running rich since your wastegate isn't working properly, causing your turbo to not spool like it should (which explains the low boost).
A google search shows that people with other cars have reported problems with their "purge valve solenoid" when this code happened. Come to think of it, I've heard of SSTCs having their "turbo solenoid" go out every once in a while. I'm guessing they were referring to the wastegate actuator.
See that thing with the hose going to it? It's your wastegate actuator. The tube comes out of your turbo inlet and once the pressure reaches a certain point, the actuator opens a valve on the exhaust side of the turbo and releases some of the pressure in the exhause system spinning the turbo, controlling how fast your turbo spins (and therefore controls airflow/pressure produced going into your engine).
Check out that connection on your turbo maybe.
Last edited by Stamina; Apr 9, 2009 at 09:45 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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From: CalCo, MD
P2187 - Too rich at idle.
Check the vacuum hoses, BPV, and wastegate to make sure everything's hooked up then (esp with the mods you did.. could have slipped off). You may have a hose that's disconnected and the engine is running rich since your wastegate isn't working properly, causing your turbo to not spool like it should (which explains the low boost).
A google search shows that people with other cars have reported problems with their "purge valve solenoid" when this code happened. Come to think of it, I've heard of SSTCs having their "turbo solenoid" go out every once in a while. I'm guessing they were referring to the wastegate actuator.
See that thing with the hose going to it? It's your wastegate actuator. The tube comes out of your turbo inlet and once the pressure reaches a certain point, the actuator opens a valve on the exhaust side of the turbo and releases some of the pressure in the exhause system spinning the turbo, controlling how fast your turbo spins (and therefore controls airflow/pressure produced going into your engine).
Check out that connection on your turbo maybe.
Check the vacuum hoses, BPV, and wastegate to make sure everything's hooked up then (esp with the mods you did.. could have slipped off). You may have a hose that's disconnected and the engine is running rich since your wastegate isn't working properly, causing your turbo to not spool like it should (which explains the low boost).
A google search shows that people with other cars have reported problems with their "purge valve solenoid" when this code happened. Come to think of it, I've heard of SSTCs having their "turbo solenoid" go out every once in a while. I'm guessing they were referring to the wastegate actuator.
See that thing with the hose going to it? It's your wastegate actuator. The tube comes out of your turbo inlet and once the pressure reaches a certain point, the actuator opens a valve on the exhaust side of the turbo and releases some of the pressure in the exhause system spinning the turbo, controlling how fast your turbo spins (and therefore controls airflow/pressure produced going into your engine).
Check out that connection on your turbo maybe.
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From: CalCo, MD
Hmmmm P2187 is too lean at idle.
I'm gonna try and take it to another dealer and have them look into it. Perhaps this is the problem
I'm gonna try and take it to another dealer and have them look into it. Perhaps this is the problem
Here's the TSB on the actuator:
#PIP4520: Low Boost / Power And/Or DTC P0299 Or P0101 - keywords actuator boost CAC charge control cooler driveability DTC ECM engine gas lnf low maf MIL reduced reducedpwmde SES wastegate - (Nov 4, 2008)
Subject: Low Boost/Power and/or DTC P0299 or P0101
Models: 2008-2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Only
2008-2009 Chevrolet HHR SS Only
2007-2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP
2007-2009 Saturn Sky Redline
With Engine RPO LNF Only
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.
Condition/Concern:
A technician may encounter a vehicle with a low boost/power condition and/or DTC P0299 and or P0101 setting. This may be the result of a cracked or broken fitting at the turbocharger assembly.
Recommendation/Instructions:
It has been determined that the nipple for the turbocharger wastegate actuator may be damaged causing this condition. If this concern is noted please inspect the area on the underside of the turbo compressor housing for the wastegate actuator solenoid valve. The nipple (see CALLOUT #1) may have been damaged causing a loss of boost pressure. It may be necessary to remove the charge air duct for a closer inspection. See eSI "Turbocharger Wastegate Actuator Replacement" for solenoid replacement procedure.
This solenoid is available separate from the turbocharger and should be replaced as a sub assembly. Do not replace the turbocharger assembly.
Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.
#PIP4520: Low Boost / Power And/Or DTC P0299 Or P0101 - keywords actuator boost CAC charge control cooler driveability DTC ECM engine gas lnf low maf MIL reduced reducedpwmde SES wastegate - (Nov 4, 2008)
Subject: Low Boost/Power and/or DTC P0299 or P0101
Models: 2008-2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Only
2008-2009 Chevrolet HHR SS Only
2007-2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP
2007-2009 Saturn Sky Redline
With Engine RPO LNF Only
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.
Condition/Concern:
A technician may encounter a vehicle with a low boost/power condition and/or DTC P0299 and or P0101 setting. This may be the result of a cracked or broken fitting at the turbocharger assembly.
Recommendation/Instructions:
It has been determined that the nipple for the turbocharger wastegate actuator may be damaged causing this condition. If this concern is noted please inspect the area on the underside of the turbo compressor housing for the wastegate actuator solenoid valve. The nipple (see CALLOUT #1) may have been damaged causing a loss of boost pressure. It may be necessary to remove the charge air duct for a closer inspection. See eSI "Turbocharger Wastegate Actuator Replacement" for solenoid replacement procedure.
This solenoid is available separate from the turbocharger and should be replaced as a sub assembly. Do not replace the turbocharger assembly.
Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.
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From: Tejas
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Id make sure the Dejon SRI is on nice and snug too. I know mine wasnt lining up right, and I finally thought I got it on good and tight....after driving for a day I popped the hood and the whole intake was loose. I took it off completely, realigned it, and tightened the hell out of it and now its been fine for a couple weeks.
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From: CalCo, MD
Id make sure the Dejon SRI is on nice and snug too. I know mine wasnt lining up right, and I finally thought I got it on good and tight....after driving for a day I popped the hood and the whole intake was loose. I took it off completely, realigned it, and tightened the hell out of it and now its been fine for a couple weeks.
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From: Peculiar, MO
Has Anybody Had that problem...The PIP above...I have a 2009 TC with 1500 miles and my turbo doesn't seem to be boosting enough....Did you have a check engine light if so? I have no check engine light but my power doesn't seem there like it was in the first 1000 miles...I have checked the connections and the intercooler? Anyone have problems with the turbo or lack of power? any help with be apppreciated..going to have the dealer check out if there are any codes in it..
Thanks
Thanks
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Ok, so the CEL is out now...
Apparently the breather that you have to put on if you get a Dejon intake was allowing too much air in??? So what we ended up doing was wrapping cloth around the valve so that it wont allow so much air. Within 10 miles it was boosting normal and like 40 miles later the CEL went out...
Strange that all these people have the intake and I'm the only one with the problem.
Apparently the breather that you have to put on if you get a Dejon intake was allowing too much air in??? So what we ended up doing was wrapping cloth around the valve so that it wont allow so much air. Within 10 miles it was boosting normal and like 40 miles later the CEL went out...
Strange that all these people have the intake and I'm the only one with the problem.
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From: Waltham MA
hm that is weird, because Ive heard others with a problem with that breather hose...mine seems to fit nice and snug. Im worried now though, reign 1 was saying that the BPV spring upgrade can burn out your solenoid. Anybody heard this?
To put it short: If your not tuned, take it out, if you are, put it in. I have my BPV spring still sitting in the box in my garage (I'm not tuned). I'd take it out if I were you ...
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