Pa134539

The woman bought a 2010 HHR SS and it seems to have an issue that I would like some input on. Per her, it experiences "boost lag". Being a guy for Classics, I'm not quite sure how the whole system works. But what I do know is that the "boost lag" seems like the engine choking on high acceleration until a speed of roughly 80mph.

When I opened up the hood, I noticed that the air intake is aftermarket (has Hanh racewear or something like that on it). I did a little investigation and I found a plug that has nothing to connect to near the battery terminal (on mobile, will try to upload a picture). I started searching and couldn't seem to find the MAF anywhere. When I asked her, she said it threw a code for the MAF but has since resolved. Could this be the issue?

donbrew

Battery is in the trunk next to the spare tire.

Oldblue

MAF sensor has to be there somewhere or it will throw a code

firemangeorge

Welcome to the site.

Since I also own a 2010 SS, this thread caught my attention. Now don't take this the wrong way, but the original post is a little hard to follow. Not really sure what the main question is so I will just hold my opinions for now.

Would like to try to help you so I'll wait on some additional postings.

( curious. "The woman". Is that a slang term for wife/girlfriend/ex ? )

Pa134539

Hm then it must've been the fuse box. I know there were terminals on it so it could have been a jump port

Pa134539

It had thrown a code at one time and apparently comes intermittently. I had the same sort of code on my 2000 S10 when I forgot to plug it back in 😓

Pa134539

Girlfriend! I understand, my thought process can be a little hard to follow sometimes, so I'll try again.

The issue is the vehicles performance is poor. When accelerating, it sputters and sounds "like the engine RPMs go up and down" with a consistent throttle, but is fine at high speeds or at idle. It has thrown codes for a MAF sensor, and has an aftermarket air intake and I can't seem to find the MAF, in fact I don't believe one is attached to the intake. I noticed there is a plug that isn't connected and doesn't have a place to connect to near the fuse box (back driver side).

My questions:

1. Is it possible that the connector is for a MAF sensor (that appears to have been removed)?
2. Would a bad/missing MAF sensor cause this issue?

Oldblue

So stop by AZ or some other parts house of your choice and have the codes pulled write the codes down IE P0011, post it up here and we'll guide you through this

1. could be the MAF connected

2. yes no MAF will cause codes and poor performance

Pa134539

This is the connector I'm talking about

firemangeorge

Without the actual code number, it's hard to say what the issue is. (and no, code descriptions don't help: they are are really just generic )

Now if the Maf was unplugged or even eliminated, it would run like crap.

The stock SS Maf plug is on the back side of the air box. It is mounted to the large round black hose by the firewall.

Thought you were going to post a picture of that unplugged wiring by the fuse box. Mine doesn't have any loose wires in that area.

Is your's a 5 speed or automatic ?