Brought the HHR in for a small list of issues and once again one of the issues the service center is saying they cannot recreate.

They are replacing the hub bearing to fix the noise the car makes when driving. They are replacing the radio to try and fix the intermittent problem of the radio having nothing but static but they cannot see a problem why the car seems to surge and appear to have a hard time changing gears like the trans is slipping. I know others have reported similar surging issues and was wondering there was any advice I can give to the dealership to fix the issue.

I have had it surge a bit when completely stopped but it seems to happen more when driving and most of the time when climbing or descending down hills. The RPM Gauge will surge about 300 - 600 RPM and it feels like the car is trying to downshift to accommodate the driving conditions. It will then give a slight jerk and it feels like the transmission is slipping. There is also a noticeable loss of power in my opinion. Sometimes I can hit the gas and it will accelerate well but many times it feels like something is holding it back and I have felt it shift very rough when giving it moderate to heavy acceleration.

I had the stage kit installed in early mid-2009 and it worked great for about 7 months but then they replaced a MAP sensor and adjusted the programming of the car and it has not been the same since. Repeated visits to multiple dealerships finally found some corroded wires which the fixed and since then the turbo has not completely cut out but the loss of power is there. I am at my wits end as I am not confident that many GM mechanics actually know what to do with my car. I am in serious need of advice and help because I just want the my car to work right and have all the little ponies under the hood I paid for.

Please help me get in the right direction if any of you have experienced similar problems and had it resolved.

Thanks.

 

Just had a nice talk with the service technician working on my car and he said he is going to try and set me up with a data recorder to see if I can record the data when the car surges. I hope this helps because it has been over a year I have been dealing with performance issues with this car and I am getting tired of being told that the problem(s) cannot be duplicated.

 

Have you considered talking to vince at trifecta he probably has more experience tuning these little puppys getting away from the factory settings might fix it all I would if I were you over a year is way too long for them to get it right.

 

I'm so over this.

Man, I am having the EXACT same issue. 2009 HHR SS, got Stage 1 kit installed no problem, ran fine for about a year then all the sudden I get the diagnostic code of "P0101 Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Performance" and it's been a nightmare ever since. This started in November 2010...It's been in the shop for warranty work for the same identical MAF issue 3 TIMES in the LAST MONTH. They cannot seem to fix it at Rick Hendrick Chevy so, like you, I'm at my wits end. They've even tested the performance stage 1 kit and everything came back good. They've been on the phone with GM Techs for hours and hours they tell me, but can't seem to get this issue resolved. They seemed to have ruled out the stage 1 performance upgrade as being the producer of this MAF sensor problem...but I'm convinced it's somehow related. I'm just completely suspect at this point. In the last 30 days I've driven my car for 9 total days. They've replaced the mass air flow sensor, replaced the pigtailed wires that were evidently a problem, but ever since the first time it happened it seems like there's been a drop off in my turbo as well, flat spots if you will. I love my car, it's really unfortunate, but I can't accept this and may well have to follow up with an attorney at this point. My first new car and this is out it's turning out for me. My old Ford Exploder didn't even warrant this much time in the shop and that thing was a true piece of garbage.

I sincerely appreciate any and all help regarding this MAF sensor problem we're experiencing. Hopefully, I can provide the technicians with some knowledge that might assist them in their diagnosis and repair. Honestly, I don't know what my next step will be as I'm convinced they, GM Service Departments, simply cannot fix the issue..at least in my neck of the woods.

Thanks for your time and insight everyone, I'm genuinely of whatever you have to share about this issue. I'm ready to , although I'm sure it will just be more of the



JMxFxSS

 

Have you started with the basics and looked at your filter??

 

Bart-

It's been towed to the shop three time so I certainly hoped they, being the GM technicians, were bright enough to start with the basics...to include any part involved with the movement of air. Maybe that's having high expectations, I dunno. I did find this and share it with them though, maybe this info will help the fella that started this thread:

#PIP4720A: Intermittent Low Power After Stage 1 Turbo Upgrade 2008-2010 Chevrolet HHR SS - (Oct 6, 2009)


Subject: Intermittent Low Power After Stage 1 Turbo Upgrade 2008-10 Chevrolet HHR SS


2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt SS

2008-2010 Chevrolet HHR SS

Equipped with 2.0L turbocharged 4 cyl engine (RPO LNF) and Turbo Upgrade Kit installed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern:
A technician or customer may comment of an intermittent low power concern, typically no DTC's are present. They may state it feels like they engage the Rev limiter and/or the vehicle will accelerate up to approximately 80-90 MPH before the concern occurs.

Recommendation/Instructions:
Note: This information does not apply to vehicles that have not had the turbo upgrade installed.

When installing the Stage-1 Turbocharger Upgrade for the HHR-SS both map sensors are swapped for Bosch TMAP sensors. The lower sensor located on the CAC (Charge Air Cooler) pipe, is hard to reach and can be difficult to install. When installing these new sensors the technicians must cut the existing wiring and crimp new wiring to a new connector. We have found that the front lower TMAP sensor (on the charge air pipe) wiring can rub/chaff against the A/C compressor or line causing this concern. This sensor is hard to reach and can be difficult to inspect the wiring for damage. It may help to follow eSI navigation: Engine / Engine Controls and Fuel - 2.0L / Repair Instructions / Intake Air Pressure and Temperature Sensor Replacement and Charge Air Cooler Outlet Pipe Replacement documents for instructions on how to access TMAP sensor and wiring for inspection when this concern is noted. Convoluted tubing (protective plastic sleeve) can be installed around the harness to prevent any future concerns. 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.

 

I mentioned this to my dealer about the problem being intermittent and this being a possible cause and they told me they cannot do anything unless they can recreate the problem.

I have a little device in my car now that I can use to record computer data when the problem(s) happen. I hope that will help them see the light.

 

bobiroc,

tell them to go around and floor it cus it happens when the sensor hits the compressor.

 

I have. Sometimes it gets up and goes and other times it feels like something is holding it back. Overall it still seems the power is reduced though from when I first had the stage kit installed and all they have done is tune the wastegate and I think that has reduced the power it should be putting out.

The surging problem still happens but seems less severe ever since they re-crimped and taped the wires but that still happens too.

I have also had the remote start cut the car off prematurely and when tried to start it again remotely it does nothing but flash the lights.

All I know is when I first had the stage kit installed in the Spring of 2009 the car was a rocket and now while it still has some acceleration behind it most of the time sometimes it feels very sluggish.

 

Take out your BPV and look at the rubber seal. It might be torn and causing you to lose boost. 15 min job