Stage 1 Randomly kicking back to Safety Mode 2008 HHR SS
Thread Starter
Joined: 08-25-2007
Posts: 7
From: albuquerque, nm
Stage 1 Randomly kicking back to Safety Mode 2008 HHR SS
I love the acceleration and handling of my HHR SS but now it is randomly dropping back to the safety mode. IE 5lbs of boost max. By pulling it off to the side of the freeway and shutting it down for a couple of minutes it will revert back to the stage 1 programing - but the curing process is a dangerous and frustrating experiance. I am not over revving the engine and at times this occurrs immediately after starting to drive the vehicle. The engine light does not come on and dealer is not getting any trouble codes on checking it out. Is there any one else out there experiancing the same difficulty and have any suggestions.
Senior Member
Joined: 08-18-2008
Posts: 191
From: Kannapolis, North Carolina
I had the same problem, 4-5 lbs of boost at full throttle and no CEL. It was intermittent for a month or so until it finally threw a CEL. I hit up Onstar and they diagnosed it as the "turbo system" problem. Anyway I took it to the dealer 2 weeks ago and they said that it was the turbo actuator that needed replacing. Took a week to get the part and it has been running fine ever since. The only thing I have on my paperwork is 2 TSB service updates(09126 and v2106). As for parts replaced, my paperwork says 5 springs(part #90278102) and 1 stud(part #11570937). I don't know if it will help you out, but good luck.
Member
Joined: 09-27-2008
Posts: 78
From: bentonville ar
mine started doing that about 2months after the upgrade.
traced it to a boost sensor going out. then found a loose pin on the ecm. all that helped alot being replace but it would still do it once a week. they finally change the ecm out.
now this is what i thing happened.(note my gm dealer was awesome through the whole thing) again i say this is what i think happened. when the gm tech installed the kit he accidentally loosed the pin on the ecm which in turn killed the boost sensor and damaged the ecm itself.
if you can check your computer for codes that would be helpful a P0236 is a turbo code which could be anything from the turbo to the ecm, boost sensor.
this whole process from me took a little over a month. the boost sensor took 2 weeks alone to get. the ecm about a week. and then all the time everyone was scratching there heads. they had calls in to gm tech support the whole time.
anyway that is my story. over all love the kit and my gm dealer was awesome with the problems.
traced it to a boost sensor going out. then found a loose pin on the ecm. all that helped alot being replace but it would still do it once a week. they finally change the ecm out.
now this is what i thing happened.(note my gm dealer was awesome through the whole thing) again i say this is what i think happened. when the gm tech installed the kit he accidentally loosed the pin on the ecm which in turn killed the boost sensor and damaged the ecm itself.
if you can check your computer for codes that would be helpful a P0236 is a turbo code which could be anything from the turbo to the ecm, boost sensor.
this whole process from me took a little over a month. the boost sensor took 2 weeks alone to get. the ecm about a week. and then all the time everyone was scratching there heads. they had calls in to gm tech support the whole time.
anyway that is my story. over all love the kit and my gm dealer was awesome with the problems.
Senior Member
Joined: 06-29-2008
Posts: 527
From: Suburban Chicago
I have an 08 5spd with the stage 1, and I only get 5lbs of boost in 1st gear. This has been the case since I had the stage 1 installed. Is this normal? I get 18-23 lbs an all other gears, but only 5lbs in 1st.
If this is not normal I guess I am having a similar issue.
SPPD
If this is not normal I guess I am having a similar issue.
SPPD
