P0171- System running lean???? What do I need to do to fix this problem??? Do I need to just take it to a dealer and let them deal with it??

 

guessing you have an intake.....just clear it and move on, everyone gets that one

 

check the sticky in the problems section....

 

its like a little friend it comes and goes but always likes to say hi

 

warranty that thing.

 

there is nothing to warry there this is a common problem it happens to all of us with intakes and it will waste your time to take it a dealer that can't reproduce the problem. clear the code and drive it like you stole it

 

yup............No worries. It will some times come on to say hi in colder weather, but it will shut off on its own..

 

I carry a code scanner in my glove box......it likes to pop up and say "hello" occaisonally......especially when it is cold......

 

^ A senior member now.. congrats on the 500th

 

same with me

 

Okay thanks everyone!

 

thanks for pointing that out I did not notice......

 

It is a running lean code.
The code is thrown when the weather gets cool, if it rains the wrong way, when it feels like it.
The MAF in our cars is sensitive. Get an Aeroforce Interceptor (great addition for monitoring everything about your car) and you can read check engine light codes and clear them from the gauge.
Or just disconnect you battery for 2 minutes and let the system relearn the fuel maps (it will still come at random thou, usually when it gets colder).

 

Why go through the hastle of unhooking the battery, just pull the 2 15A ecm/pcm fuses in the box, then you wont lose your radio controls and you wont have to clean out your trunk.

 

Never lost radio controls pulling my battery before.

 

if you don't greet your car with a smile, it can trigger that code. cobalt is really finicky, and the majority of people on this site will or have thrown that code

 

yeah, mine never were lost either, you will have to reset the clock though, takes about 10 seconds.
mine keeps pulling p0171 and p0420 (catalyst efficiency below threshold) i have a spacer for my rear o2 sensor which seems to help but codes still pop up even under normal driving. just when you reset it, it takes about 15-20 mins instead of 5mins for my CEL to come back on.

 

if you don't have an CAI and your getting that code there is a bulletin for the lean code, but ya alot of people have gotten that one. when you get it cleared and it comes back on alot then take it to the dealer and have them check your long term Fuel trim percentage.

 

i get p0171 and p0300 like theres no 2morrow..like 3rd time going in to dealer for it..i have this noise that no other cobalts have around here no one knows wth it is and neither is the dealer so they told me in a guinee pig and will just have to do various things until something works....so far they replaced a coil and spark plug first time..this last time they replaced all spark plugs and injector insulator's because they found a small leak there....they also put in these rubber o ring seals well..replaced them...and also a brake booster vacuum hose that was rubbing on the pcm was replaced because it rubbed so much it went straight through and made a hole...btw whats #2 8909 misfires supposed to mean?..i didn't think 8909 was a code?

 

probably means your getting a misfire on your #2 cylinder.