I recently built a CAI for my HHR. The problem is that when the MAF is plugged in the engine starts to sputter and then stalls. If I unplug it, the engine runs almost perfect, but the CEL comes on and the tranny seems a bit rough at the shift points.

Anyone have any ideas on what would cause this, and/or how to fix it???

Are you using an oiled filter like a K&N?

That (excess oil up the tube), could cause the MAF sensor to foul eventually.

I opted not to use an oiled filter right away, as I've heard of the fouling issue on other intakes. Besides, the MAF problem is instant once its plugged in. I also know that there isn't anything wrong with the MAF itself, since I can put the stock setup back together and all is well again.

Any other thoughts, Mike??

Then it sounds computer related to me. Perhaps the increased flow is tricking the ECU. Have you tried driving it around a bit? It should calibrate itself unless your runner diameter and length is waaay off. We found that the HHR likes to see a little smaller diameter tube thean you would guess. Velocity must be kept up for the FI.

Hopefully snksknr94 will step in wih a REAL answer! :D

You disconected the battery so the computer reset and recalibrated right?

Yeah , I read on one of the cobalt forums that someone had a similar problem with a Fujita intake. It was suggested that he try just running around with it, hoping that the ECU would recal itself. Problem is that usually my engine dies before I can get out of the driveway. Maybe I'll try that in the morning.

The only other thing I've found as a thought is to by ZZPerformance's Mini-AFC 2.2 (its supposedly made for the Ecotec engine only), to program the air/fuel mix. Problem is that costs $180. That's more than I'm going to spend for a homemade intake.

You disconected the battery so the computer reset and recalibrated right?


I tried that, too. Left he battery's "-" terminal off for 20 minutes. Still had the same problem.

Get it scanned and see what code is setting the light. I can't help out with having a little more info. Other than that put it back to stock and wait until somebody comes out a CAI. You sure it goes back to normal after putting the stock stuff back on, sounds like maybe you damaged the fins on the MAF.

Get it scanned and see what code is setting the light. I can't help out with having a little more info. Other than that put it back to stock and wait until somebody comes out a CAI. You sure it goes back to normal after putting the stock stuff back on, sounds like maybe you damaged the fins on the MAF.


I'm positive about everything going back to normal when I return it to stock. The CEL turns off ( the CEL only lights when the MAF is unplugged), and the tranny feels smooth at the shift points. What's your opinion on running it for a little while to see if the ECU recal's itself??

I'm positive about everything going back to normal when I return it to stock. The CEL turns off ( the CEL only lights when the MAF is unplugged), and the tranny feels smooth at the shift points. What's your opinion on running it for a little while to see if the ECU recal's itself??

It should recal itself after just a couple of minutes of running but if it is dying before that something else is wrong. Are you leaving the MAF unplugged with the home-made stuff hooked up? I kinda got that impression from your above statement. Do the cooling fans kick on when the light comes on as well?

I ran it for about 10 miles with the MAF unplugged, but its been parked since then. I'm not sure about the fans. I'll check it in the morning and let you know via this post.

Why are you running it with the MAF unplugged? Thats why you have a light and the car runs like shit. Am I missing something here?

I tried it so I could see the difference.

No need to get vulgar and insulting.

I tried it so I could see the difference.

No need to get vulgar and insulting.

You took that the wrong way but whatever :roll: . See the difference in what, you have me utterly confused on exactly what it is you are trying to do. If you have the home-made intake on and the MAF plugged in what happens?

The problem is that when the MAF is plugged in the engine starts to sputter and then stalls. If I unplug it, the engine runs almost perfect, but the CEL comes on and the tranny seems a bit rough at the shift points.

That would be what he stated in his very first post.
No lines to read between - just READ. :D

That would be what he stated in his very first post.
No lines to read between - just READ. :D

Eat me.

1 Bad run the thing with everything hooked up, just let it idle for 10 minutes and see what it does. Unplugging the MAF puts the car into "limp home mode" tranny will shift funny, fans will be on, etc, and it will stay in open loop. If idling for a minutes doesnt fix it, your just gonna have to wait until somebody comes out with a CAI.

"Eat me."

Love that "keyboard courage" - it makes the world go 'round doesn't it?

Oh, no - that's LOVE! Ooops!

Will do guys. I'll try to keep it from stalling out and see what happens. I'll let you know if it works.

You could always try the windows up and down 3 times trick. :D HeeHee

The "windows up and down 3 times trick" only disables the speed limiter. ;)

Just tap your red shoes together and say "There's no place like home. There's no place like home..."

"Eat me."

Love that "keyboard courage" - it makes the world go 'round doesn't it?

Oh, no - that's LOVE! Ooops!


Far from keyboard courage, same thing I would have said in person. Now if I was threatening to kick your ass or something then the keyboard commando comment would have worked better. :thumb:

Far from keyboard courage, same thing I would have said in person. Now if I was threatening to kick your ass or something then the keyboard commando comment would have worked better. :thumb:

well it just seems like every comment you post on here has had some type of negative connotation with it...

-wC

well it just seems like every comment you post on here has had some type of negative connotation with it...

-wC

Yeah but there is a lot of useful info mixed in with the negativity. :p: Everybodys personality is different and some of us aren't always as "positive" as others. ;)

Yeah but there is a lot of useful info mixed in with the negativity. :p: Everybodys personality is different and some of us aren't always "positive" as others. ;)
I agree. Some people are just a smart @$$ by nature. I can be sometimes, and my best friend is all the time. Therefore, it really doesn't bother me. I just get a chuckle out of it most the time.

Some people are just a smart @$$ by nature. I can be sometimes, and my best friend is all the time. Therefore, it really doesn't bother me. I just get a chuckle out of it most the time.

Same here! :beer: I am always a smart a**, it comes natural. :roll:

well it just seems like every comment you post on here has had some type of negative connotation with it...

-wC


Cry me a river. Some of the questions asked on here just bring it out in me. Don't know about you, but I can only read about the 2.4 taking premium fuel, or K&N filters, or some of the other stuff that gets posted over and over again so much.

Cry me a river. Some of the questions asked on here just bring it out in me. Don't know about you, but I can only read about the 2.4 taking premium fuel, or K&N filters, or some of the other stuff that gets posted over and over again so much.

So your Justin Timberlake now. :D I agree about some of the repetitiveness and questions about simple things. :roll: How do I remove a bolt? :confused:

So your Justin Timberlake now. :D I agree about some of the repetitiveness and questions about simple things. :roll: How do I remove a bolt? :confused:

righty tighty, lefty loosey. Hope that helps. :D :thumb: :p:

righty tighty, lefty loosey. Hope that helps. :D :thumb: :p:

ROTFLMAO! :beer:

I guess what you guys don't see is that we currently have over 400 members registered. If we provided a more positive atmosphere it could be a little more conducive to people asking questions. That is, after all, part of what forums are about.

IMO if you "can't take" reading about K&N's for the umpteen'th time - don't!
No one is twisting your arm to open a thread here. I like helping people, that is why the majority of my posts are "how-to's" etc. I also enjoy some humor as it makes this a fun place to hang, but the rudeness and cynical negativism is driving away new members. People want to feel that if they post a Q, it will get an answer not "USE THE SEARCH ENGINE STUPID!"

How about a little less negativity and a little more compassion?

I guess what you guys don't see is that we currently have over 400 members registered. If we provided a more positive atmosphere it could be a little more conducive to people asking questions. That is, after all, part of what forums are about.

IMO if you "can't take" reading about K&N's for the umpteen'th time - don't!
No one is twisting your arm to open a thread here. I like helping people, that is why the majority of my posts are "how-to's" etc. I also enjoy some humor as it makes this a fun place to hang, but the rudeness and cynical negativism is driving away new members. People want to feel that if they post a Q, it will get an answer not "USE THE SEARCH ENGINE STUPID!"

How about a little less negativity and a little more compassion?

I see your point. That's why I do try and be as helpfull as posible and so does snksknr94. Sometimes I have to hold back and some threads I don't even respond to. Imagine that I hold back. But sometimes the topics are so simple that if people can't figure it out on their own then they probably shouldn't be doing it. Like taking the badges off a car. It's not the old days there they were bolted in and you had to fill the holes, now it's very simple. Or how many times can we have a discussion about what octane gas you use just to have people get upset that you don't use the same octane as them? :confused:

I see your point. That's why I do try and be as helpfull as posible and so does snksknr94. Sometimes I have to hold back and some threads I don't even respond to. Imagine that I hold back. But sometimes the topics are so simple that if people can't figure it out on their own then they probably shouldn't be doing it. Like taking the badges off a car. It's not the old days there they were bolted in and you had to fill the holes, now it's very simple. Or how many times can we have a discussion about what octane gas you use just to have people get upset that you don't use the same octane as them? :confused:

Werd. If somebody doesn't like what I have to say then they don't have to read it, it goes both ways. I'm not posting any more help on this board anway, it's a waste of time.

so if I have the 2.4l and I use 87 octane but throw in 4 magic beans does that mean it should be the same?

or wait do I have to use the windows up and down three times trick to activate the magic beans?

but in all serriousness all new people should read the thread I posted last night

http://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=796

-wC

I love that one. I've seen it before, but it never gets old....

1 Bad run the thing with everything hooked up, just let it idle for 10 minutes and see what it does. Unplugging the MAF puts the car into "limp home mode" tranny will shift funny, fans will be on, etc, and it will stay in open loop. If idling for a minutes doesnt fix it, your just gonna have to wait until somebody comes out with a CAI.



I do appreciate the help snksknr94. I tried as we discussed earlier in this thread, to no avail. It ran fine for about 2 minutes, then it stopped responding to the accelerator and the tranny wouldn't shift at all.

So now she's back to stock, hoping someone can make a CAI and figure out how to get past the ECU/MAF problem.

I built a cold ait for my 2.2L hhr and had the exact same problem you are having. Appearantly the stock setup is hiding something becase the second you put everything right the light goes off (CEL). It's almost as if modifying the intake on the hhr is a no no and chevy wants it kept that way. I have found something that helped and stopped the engine light from going on but do not take ANY responsibility for anyone else doing this! I just bought a 2nd MAF housing and used it in conjunction with the rest of my tubing setup. No light, no burble, not stall. Works great but my routing doesnt hit throught the fender in the passenger side. I found I have more room dropping in between the lower rad. hose and the coils then into the driver fender! Sounds nice and I can touch the pipe after running hard and its cool to the touch. Not bad for southen AZ weather!

Jason

do u have any pics of this setup?

-wC

I built a cold ait for my 2.2L hhr and had the exact same problem you are having. Appearantly the stock setup is hiding something becase the second you put everything right the light goes off (CEL). It's almost as if modifying the intake on the hhr is a no no and chevy wants it kept that way. I have found something that helped and stopped the engine light from going on but do not take ANY responsibility for anyone else doing this! I just bought a 2nd MAF housing and used it in conjunction with the rest of my tubing setup. No light, no burble, not stall. Works great but my routing doesnt hit throught the fender in the passenger side. I found I have more room dropping in between the lower rad. hose and the coils then into the driver fender! Sounds nice and I can touch the pipe after running hard and its cool to the touch. Not bad for southen AZ weather!

Jason

Do you have any pictures of that?

I will try and post some tomorrow of the intake setup.

I will post pics in a new thread though if the system lets me. Hope my 2 cents has helped!

if you move the maf you have to make sure the air flow is not missing or is being redirected as to not flow through the area inside the maf and flow over the hot wire. try turning the maf 180 deg.

I built a cold ait for my 2.2L hhr and had the exact same problem you are having. Appearantly the stock setup is hiding something becase the second you put everything right the light goes off (CEL). It's almost as if modifying the intake on the hhr is a no no and chevy wants it kept that way. I have found something that helped and stopped the engine light from going on but do not take ANY responsibility for anyone else doing this! I just bought a 2nd MAF housing and used it in conjunction with the rest of my tubing setup. No light, no burble, not stall. Works great but my routing doesnt hit throught the fender in the passenger side. I found I have more room dropping in between the lower rad. hose and the coils then into the driver fender! Sounds nice and I can touch the pipe after running hard and its cool to the touch. Not bad for southen AZ weather!
Jason
i would love to see the set up in pics and how u did it. i have been working on that too to get rid of all that black housing and hoses.

if you take pics can u email them or post them,, i would really like to see what you did.