"System Too Rich Off Idle Bank 1"

2008 HHR SS, Auto, bone stock, 101k miles. New gas cap, old one was not clicking more than once when tightened. Both O2 sensors were replaced. New AC Delco air filter. New AC Delco MAF Sensor. New AC Delco Iridium plugs (Coil packs looked good, so I re-used them). New Thermostat because old one was stuck open. All this was done in the past 1k miles right after the SS turned 100k.

Do I wait for the CEL to turn itself off after reading all the new sensors? I can turn it off with the scanner. Do I unhook the battery for a full reset?

When the CEL first came on, boost was non-evident. It barely hit the "0" mark on the boost gauge. When I reset the code via the scanner, everything ran fine until the CEL came back.

Frustrating to put all that time, money and effort only to have the CEL still illuminated.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

-Ron in SoCal

 

Let's not get Nervous and Jerky over this shall we ?
Have you looked into what P2178 means ?
Your SS has a throttle body that faces down and could be dirty with oil.
You just might have to clean it. And yes it's a bear to R&I it.

 

Don't know what machine gave that title to P2178, What it really is Fuel Trim System Rich at Cruise or Accel.

What means is there is too much air getting into the A/F mixture so the computer is enriching it to compensate.

That means you have an air leak in the induction system.

 

I stand corrected.

 

Never hurts to clean a throttle body.

 

https://www.obd-codes.com/p2178

see where it says dirty MAF ? Clean that and the throttle body, please do not manually move the throttle body butterfly plate, it’s real easy to strip the plastic nylon gears in it. And use throttle body spray cleaner and MAF sensor safe spray, CRC offers a little package of the two products in a cellophane pack.

 

I used the NexPeak NX501 OBD2 scanner.

MAF sensor is new. I have the old one, which looks to be in really good condition. I've sprayed both with MAF sensor cleaner and the backup is in a sealed ziplock baggie.

Would the air leak be after the MAF sensor? I would assume so since the air filter is in place right before the MAF sensor. I was afraid I would have to clean the TB. That thing looks like a PITA to get to.. I searched and it looks like the only way is to pull the front bumper and quarter panel???

Does anyone know of an easier way to access the TB?

Thanks in advance.

-Ron

 

For all you HHR SS gurus, what is the best way to access the throttle body for the SS. I want to clean it; however, if it requires taking the front end apart, I may as well replace it???

Any and all assistance is greatly appreciated.

-Ron in SoCal

 

The easiest way to get to the TB is to remove intake manifold with TB attached to it. Don't forget to replace intake manifold gasket.

 

You don't have to.
Don't move the throttle plate and clean both sides with the proper cleaner for a throttle body.