The Chevy Cruze is a great sedan for regular drivers, so you should keep very good care so that it keeps working smoothly. If you see your engine light is on then the very first thing you should do is connect your scanner so you know what the root of the issue is. If you’re here, then the trouble code that has popped up after your OBD II scan is probably the P1101.
For someone who may not be very familiar with cars, this error code can appear very confusing. Hence, we’ll be delving into the details about the P1101 Chevy Cruze, and we’ll be discussing everything about it starting from the diagnosis to the ways you can avoid it.
P1101 Chevy Cruze: What Does It mean
For MAF, which stands for mass airflow, the standard trouble OBD II code is P1101.
If this trouble code shows up after the OBD II scan in your car, then it means that the PCM (powertrain control module) has identified an issue with the mass airflow (MAF) sensor’s voltage. This can also trigger the $7e8 engine code chevy.
OBD II Codes Related to P1101 on Chevy Cruze
There are quite a few trouble codes that are related to the P1101 on Chevy Cruze, these include the P1001, P1100, P1102, P1103, P1104, and P1105 codes. However, there is one code that is more strongly related to the P1101 Cruze code, which is the P0171. Upon fixing the mass air flow sensor issue, the P0171 might also be cleared.
Symptoms of P1101 on Chevy Cruze
Besides the OBD II scan results and check engine light, there are many symptoms of engine code P1101 on Chevy Cruze that you should know, so you can immediately conduct a self diagnosis and clear it.
Erratic Movement of the Needle
A very common symptom of this Chevy Cruze code p1101 is that your needle may start to move very unpredictably. You will notice this behavior when your car is running anywhere from 600 to 1500 rpm.
Shaking off the Engine when Idling
Engine problems are a common sign. If you have error code P1101 then your engine will start to vibrate a lot during idling, and this should be quite noticeable as it makes the passengers very uncomfortable.
Clanking and Hissing Noise from the Engine
As we have said, the P1101 could result in the rattling of your engine during rattling. This can make a hissing or clanking noise from the engine when idling.
Poor Engine Performance
There are many reasons why your engine performance might become worse, and the P1101 on Chevy Cruze is one of them. Therefore, if you notice a drop in your car’s performance then considers doing a scan. You will notice a significant reduction in the power of your engine while accelerating.
PCV valve cover appears to give off smoke
Perhaps this is the most noticeable symptom, and once you identify it, you should immediately stop your car.
Reduction in Fuel Economy
Because of the P1101 code Chevy Cruze, the engine will not be running as efficiently. As a result, it will be consuming more fuel than it would in its optimum state. Thus, the fuel economy will be reduced.
How Serious is P1101 (Mass Air Flow Sensor Issue) on Chevy Cruze?
While you will still be able to drive your 2016 Chevy Cruze if the P1101 pops up after a scan, you should not neglect this trouble code. If you encounter this error code then you will be facing some issues that will make your driving experience worse.
As we have mentioned above, this trouble DTC results in the reduction of power in your engine which is noticeable. This may be bothersome to a lot of drivers, and can negatively impact their driving experience. Moreover, the rattling of the engine and the pestering noises coming from the engine can make the riding experience even more unpleasant.
The decrease in power will make your engine way less efficient, which will lead to higher consumption of fuel for lower mileage. So, as you know, the fuel economy will be worse, and you will actually be spending more money on fuel.
In addition, to all these issues this P1101 code can further cause issues that could lead to much more severe damage to your engine if you don’t clear it soon enough. We all know how expensive it can be to get an engine repaired!
How to Diagnose and Fix P1101 Code on Chevy Cruze
The voltage issue in the MAF (mass airflow) sensor that triggers the P1101 fault code could be caused by multiple reasons. Hence, we have to look at multiple parts separately so you know how to diagnose the code. We’ll show you how to fix P1101 code Chevy Cruze easily.
MAF sensor
Before looking at all the other parts you should look at the MAF sensor of the Chevy Cruze first because it could itself be causing the P1101 code issue. You will be able to know whether your MAF has issues with the help of a simple multimeter. However, be very careful while dealing with the sensor element.
To resolve this issue, you will have to clean the MAF sensor using a specialized cleaner. After that, you need to make sure it’s properly dried, and then you can reinstall it. In some cases, cleaning the sensor will not be enough and you will have to replace it.
Inlet Hose, Exhaust Hoses, and Connectors
If your inlet hose is broken at any point or if the connection is loose, then the P1101 trouble code may be showing up. If the hose has a breakage you will have to get it replaced, and if the connection is loose then all you’ll have to do is tighten the clips.
This DTC code also shows up if the exhaust hoses and connectors have these issues as well. So, be sure to get them checked for breakages and leaks as well. Just like the inlet hose, you will have to get them replaced if they’re broken. These breakages are often caused by rodents looking for warmth inside the car during winter.
PCV Valve
Another very common cause of the P1101 might be a damaged PCV valve, which stands for positive crankcase ventilation. To be more precise the issue is caused when the valve cover starts to leak. The primary symptom of a leaking PCV valve cover is a hissing noise.
You will be able to hear this hissing sound clearly once you open the engine cover. A replacement of the damaged valve cover is your only solution in this case.
Air Filter
If your air filter has become extremely dirty and has a build-up of dirt and debris then it could also be popping the OBD code up. To check if that is the case, you will have to open the air filter and look into it.
Replacing the air filter may seem to be convenient if there is a lot of dirt and debris. However, if it’s only slightly dirty then cleanup should do the job.
Vacuum Leak
If the air that is supposed to flow from the intake to the throttle doesn’t get into the throttle, then there is a vacuum leak, and this could trigger the mentioned fault code as well. To be sure whether there is a vacuum leak, a smoke test must be conducted, and you will need a mechanic to do this for you.
By conducting this vacuum leak diagnosis test, the mechanic will be able to find the spot of the leak in the vacuum hose and will be able to fix it. Also, the vacuum leak can also cause hissing sound. In that case, it might be a bit difficult to find the actual source. But the most likely position is the engine bay.
As you can see there could be many reasons why the P1101 trouble code could pop up in your Chevy Cruze OBD II scan. Hence, you will have to make the changes that we have mentioned above to the parts if they are faulty. Then, you want to start your car and see if there are any warning signs that may have lit up.
Finally, do the OBD II scan to see if the P1011 trouble code still comes up. You may have to keep on making these changes till the code clears up.
Causes of P1101
There are multiple causes of P1101 as we have discussed in detail above. To summarize they are:
- Faulty MAF sensor
- Air filter clogged with dirt
- A vacuum leak in the intake seal
- Broken or loose inlet and exhaust hoses
- A dirty throttle body
- Leaky PCV valve cover
- Broken or disconnected engine wiring
Common Mistakes When Diagnosing P1101
One mistake is often repeated by regular drivers and mechanics when they are diagnosing P1011, and that is they immediately just replace the MAF sensor. They don’t check the other parts such as clogged air filters, vacuum leaks, leaky valve covers, dirty throttle body etc. Sometimes cleaning the throttle body, checking valve, or simply fixing the clips on intake hose can solve the problem.
So, if the issue lies elsewhere then the trouble code will not clear even if you replace the sensor, and you will end up wasting money on a new MAF sensor.
Tips on How to Avoid P1101 in the Future
There aren’t many specific things you have to do to prevent the P1101 trouble code from popping up in your scanner. By taking good care of your car, and doing proper maintenance regularly you should reduce the frequency of this code showing up. In fact, doing frequent maintenance will keep your car in an overall good state.
Try to keep your car as clean as possible, and replace the engine air filters every now and then to ensure they don’t get blocked. Also, poor-quality replacement parts may cause vacuum leaks which as you know makes the P1101 code show up. Hence, you should go to an authorized dealer and buy the genuine parts you need for any replacements.
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